Consumer unit.

[SquirrellCook]

Wildebus had me salivating the other day with the idea of using an easyplus on the Betty build. At first this seemed like a tasty idea. Then reality struck as it's not available in 24 volts

So back to my consumer unit. RCD protection from the incoming supply. RCD protection from the Inverter side of the multiplus. The multiplus has a ground relay so that when you are using an EHU, you use the grounding point of the supply. When you disconnect the multiplus makes it's own ground with the vehicle and allows RCD's to work.

To do this with an inverter might require a bigger box if you want to look after your earths correctly, a relay would also be required.

Just a mock up as it still needs to be wired.

 

[wildebus]

you are going full protection with Double-Pole MCBs I see

Something which I added to my setup at a later stage and contemplating on the new one is a polarity change-over (undecided as not actually used it 'in anger', but one of those things that if you need it, you will be glad you have it!)
I added it in a 2nd CU, but if starting from scratch would be neater in the same box.

240AC CUs by David, on Flickr

Do you think you need a Mains incomer MCB as well as the Incoming RCD?

 

[SquirrellCook]

Do you think you need a Mains incomer MCB as well as the Incoming RCD?

I was unsure as to if it was overkill. Theoretically if I plug it into a reversed supply it should trip. So out I pop with my supply changer and plug it inline. I have a warning plug visible and as yet not seen a problem.

 

[wildebus]

I was unsure as to if it was overkill. Theoretically if I plug it into a reversed supply it should trip. So out I pop with my supply changer and plug it inline. I have a warning plug visible and as yet not seen a problem.

You would think it should trip, but in practice I have been able to reverse polarity and nothing has stopped working. No RCDs tripping, the Multiplus carried on - except when the power is removed, instead of the inverter power kicking on uninterrupted (a Multiplus feature), it actually drops power for a (very) short time while the polarity is corrected.

 

[SquirrellCook]

I wonder if I could rig up some kind of "Wally" light to warn of reversed polarity. Mounted in the EHU socket?

 

[wildebus]

I wonder if I could rig up some kind of "Wally" light to warn of reversed polarity. Mounted in the EHU socket?

easy enough to do - wire up to earth and Neutral and then it will illuminate when the polarity is reversed. Wires can be as long as you like. On mine I just used a couple of illuminated AC rocker switches I had (switch didn't do anything. just used for the light)
I like the idea of having an indicator on the EHU socket - very logical place for it
I have a recollection of seeing a hookup point which had a light for when it had power - could have two ... one for good, one for reversed

 

[SquirrellCook]

wire up to earth and Neutral and then it will illuminate when the polarity is reversed.

Would you be better of using neon's to avoid earth leakage?

 

[wildebus]

Would you be better of using neon's to avoid earth leakage?

probably. I just used what I had

 

[Markd]

I wonder if I could rig up some kind of "Wally" light to warn of reversed polarity. Mounted in the EHU socket?

My Sargent PSU has a warning light as standard.
But I guess you're making your own?

 

[SquirrellCook]

My Sargent PSU has a warning light as standard.
But I guess you're making your own?

I’m getting older, I just want to shove it in the hole and see if it’s happy. If not I’ll just pull it out. I don’t want to go for a walk to get a simple answer.

 

[wildebus]

I’m getting older, I just want to shove it in the hole and see if it’s happy. If not I’ll just pull it out. I don’t want to go for a walk to get a simple answer.

Maybe fit a light to the housing of the female 16A connector? then you could connect up to the site RCD and see immediately if right? There should be room in the housing for that.

 

[SquirrellCook]

Now that’s an illuminating idea Dave.

 

[wildebus]

When I fit my new Multiplus I will also be fitting a new EHU point as the current one has a split cover. I am very tempted to see if I can fit a Green (Good) and Red (reversed) indicators as I reckon it is a very handy idea you have had.

Maybe these, but may stick out to far? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neon-Ind...ed-Light-AC-220V-w-2-Wires-X8M4/123204846412?

maybe this .... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neon-Ind...-Green-9-5mm-Panel-Mount-100Pcs/163605655167?
Except what to you do with the other 99??

 

[SquirrellCook]

I’ll have a look at some sockets (plugs) in the morning. You only need the head to peep through, then the rest of the body can be potted with some fluid epoxy or clear pu potting compound.

 

[SquirrellCook]

99 wildebus special connectors? At least it would use up the rest of the left over potting compound.

 

[wildebus]

I’ll have a look at some sockets (plugs) in the morning. You only need the head to peep through, then the rest of the body can be potted with some fluid epoxy or clear pu potting compound.

thing is .... the light needs to go on the side, so would need to fit the plug, then stick the lights when fitted would make it very tricky to service?
definately a lead with integrated lights would be an ideal solution. I can see people paying a premium for that (I would pay extra for that feature).

 

[wildebus]

OK .... Here is the ideal device and I won't even patent it so free for anyone to make!

16A "Commando" Trailing Socket - the type that goes into the EHU feed into a Motorhome.
There is a clear ring at the front that lights up Green when the polarity is correct and Red when it is reversed.
The light ring also acts as a little built in torch so you can see what you are doing if hooking up in the dark.

I know there is a general recommendation that you plug into the site end last and disconnect that end first, so the above wouldn't work in the torch aspect if doing that, but if the lead is in good condition it shouldn't be a proble doing it the other way round.

 

[SquirrellCook]

TRAVIN EAGLE INJECTION MANUMOULD , MOULDING MACHINE | eBay

TRAVIN EAGLE INJECTION MANUMOULD , MOULDING MACHINE. Condition is "Used". Collection in person only.

www.ebay.co.uk

I expect I can make the tool.

 

[SquirrellCook]

New cheaper solution maybe. I've ordered a couple, so I wait in anticipation.

 

[SquirrellCook]

New cheaper solution maybe. I've ordered a couple, so I wait in anticipation.

Unfortunately I was conned by RS services, not only did it not have a transparent cover. They first claimed that it was free delivery until you checked it out! I don't care about the money, it's the deception that makes me angry.