Merry Christmas. It's Shadow here I did not think my question would create such healthy debate. I do thank you all for your views. I will try to cut my reasons short. My van has lights that run 240 and 12 volt but there is no wiring, battery set up what soever, I assume it not hard to do but as at this stage I don't know how I will go van in on my own I thought simply buy a generator and if or when free camping plug it in. See how you like the open road thing then if convinced go solar as many people with solar seem to have generator as backup but I was not aware of any dangers I would like to know more
PeterD said
11:41 PM Dec 15, 2014
Hi Shadow, you say you have 12 & 240 V lights. Years ago very few of us had generators and solar was yet to be introduced. Very few had batteries when I started with vans. We used our starting batteries in our tug via the trailer connector. We could spend a couple of nights off power without having to go for a run in the tug to recharge the battery. If you wish to put your toe in the water to see how you go you can do so without a generator. However you will only be able to run a few lights each night and not much else. We enjoyed our trips then as much as we do now with all our mod cons.
If you have not done so then have a hot wire from your tugs battery run to the trailer socket. If you have a 7 pin socket then it will be connected to pin 2. Get the installer to run the wire in a large size (at least as large as will fit into the socket pin.) This will give you night lighting.
Try your open road thing. You will encounter others as you travel, most will be friendly. Talk to them and see how they have set up. You can then make up your mind whether to go the generator or the solar option.
oldtrack123 said
12:21 AM Dec 16, 2014
Phil C wrote:
Welcome to the forum. I have a Honda eu20 2kva genny.
[1] The book tells me it doesn't need an earth unless there are earthed appliances being run of it,
[2]. Anyway despite what has been said here, today's gennys are safe and easy to use, just follow the instructions and be safe when using them.
Have a great and safe Xmas.
Hi
[1] the book is wrong !! It has nothing to do with earthed appliances
What is required is equipotential bonding of the Generator frame to the Van frame/ earthing system ,NOT MOTHER EARTH, definately not to the 240V mains earthing system, NO earth stake, no deliberate bond to any EARTHED structure !
Again from the Authorities
"AN EARTH STAKE IS NEITHER REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED"
That comment also applies to the van itsel!fA
There are sound reasons for that
A little hint regarding one reason, the size of the earthing conductor in the normal EXTENSION leads
[2]That statement is totally misleading!!!
THe Authorities have recognised that , By the STATEMENT "ONLY CONNECT ONE CLASS1 appliance at anytime"
Reputable makers ,whose manuals apply to AUS, are also now starting to add that comment
Having seen& having to investigate shocks, the results of using so called fully isolated power sources with multiple class1 devices, I find it frightening that some people make such ill informed comments !!
Bugger something is going wrong with my key boardt cannot delete or correct
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:26:26 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:27:50 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:49:46 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:50:25 AM
oldtrack123 said
12:39 AM Dec 16, 2014
Phil C wrote:
Some people go through life and the world thinks they are idiots. There are others who have their mouths always flapping in the wind and prove that they are.
-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 15th of December 2014 10:27:24 AM
HI
Quite true , in fact some go along way to prove it !
PeterQ
oldtrack123 said
12:43 AM Dec 16, 2014
TAJ wrote:
exa41 good to see an answer for his question
i think some people hold back questions
because they get flogged or called GULLIBLE
TAJ
HI Taj
Ido notthink itistheperson who asksthe question that generally gets flogged or called gullable
I that applies more likely to some of the misleading & often ridiculous replies 1!sri
You just have to try and sort the wheat from the chaff
PeterQ
Phil C said
09:18 AM Dec 16, 2014
So. The book is WRONG!! And PeterQ is right. Yikes!!
I'm not sure I want to be part of a forum that encourages ignorance, pigheadedness and people who set themselves up as experts.
PeterQ enjoy crapping on to people, if they follow your stupidity they deserve what they get.
Goodby.
PeterD said
09:34 AM Dec 16, 2014
Phil, do you have copies of the relevant AS/NZS standards and understand them?
KFT said
09:56 AM Dec 16, 2014
Phil C, peterQ is quite correct in what he states about earthing and the standard we refer to (AS/NZS 3001)
perhaps you need to brush up on the requirements so you can be as informed as the rest of us.
have a merry christmas yourself.
Frank
rockylizard said
10:15 AM Dec 16, 2014
Gday...
this thread is further proof why I will NEVER ask an electrical question on this forum.
Obviously, laypersons continue to buy products, with instruction manuals/specifications, from 'reliable' manufacturers/importers/suppliers that are "potentially" dangerous and prone to kill or maim ... despite Regs and Standards.
Thank heavens we have the ADRs and licencing regulations so that motor vehicles are not "potentially" dangerous and prone to kill or maim.
Cheers - John
oldtrack123 said
02:55 PM Dec 16, 2014
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
this thread is further proof why I will NEVER ask an electrical question on this forum.
Obviously, laypersons continue to buy products, with instruction manuals/specifications, from 'reliable' manufacturers/importers/suppliers that are "potentially" dangerous and prone to kill or maim ... despite Regs and Standards.
Thank heavens we have the ADRs and licencing regulations so that motor vehicles are not "potentially" dangerous and prone to kill or maim.
Cheers - John
HI John
The problem is that those manuals are not necessarily written for Aus
In fact MOST do not take that into account
That is why those of us who know the FACTS have to contradict those who only" think" they know facts
Anything I post will be based on Australian rules & regulations
Unfortunately readers do have to sort the wheat from a lot of chaff [rubbish]
Each reader wil have to make their own decisions as to who they believe are RELIABLE sources
There are a FEW on this site
I do notice that a poster who is always seems to be concerned about others being polite is getting a little nasty & making snide comments[PerhapsI should run to Cindy , but I am grown up]' because I am daring to point out his lack of knowledge on the subject & the FACT that he is encouraging complacency with the use of devices that can & have killed
He has exhibited lack of knowledge /undertstanding on many occassions
It is the question of what point is it posting so called "qualifications" That proves absolutely NOTHING!
That subject had alrady been dicussed at length
I have shown how the AUTHORITIES & even some makers have reacted to that danger
A poster,on any forum,that posts misleading information should be corrected
Unfortunately misinformation gets perpetuated with many readers not aware it is incorrect
Electricity is dangerous
It needs to be used with care
Just because someone has done something for years does not mean it is SAFE.
People speed , run red ights, & do all sorts of stupid thing because they think they know it is ok but often end up dead or kill someone else.
One more comment for those who do not wish to know the dangers, by all means bury your heads in the sand!!
Yes, IT should be a freindly forum, but not at the cost of misinformation, especially on a TECHNICAL Forum/ section !!
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 03:02:13 PM
oldtrack123 said
03:14 PM Dec 16, 2014
Phil C wrote:
So. The book is WRONG!! And PeterQ is right. Yikes!!
I'm not sure I want to be part of a forum that encourages ignorance, pigheadedness and people who set themselves up as experts.
PeterQ enjoy crapping on to people,stupidity they deserve what they get. if they follow your Goodby.
Hi
So the Rules ,regulations & recommendations made are wrong &only Phil is correct YIKESx9
I do want to be apart of ANY forum" that encourages ignorance, pigheadedness and people who set themselves up as experts."
Just to make sure the facts come out & people are not mislead
If people follow Phil's posts ,they may unfortunately get mislead & get what theyDO NOT deserve
To those who wish to avoid the dramas of electrical matters that occur on this Forum, I am always prepared to help when, where .,If I can if you PM me
There ARE a FEW others that I am sure would also be glad to help & whose advice you could rely on!
Many do so that to avoid the crap that that Electrical threads seem to attract
PeterQ
--
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 03:23:50 PM
Webmaster said
06:37 PM Dec 16, 2014
I am closing this thread down now. Again, I understand that it is very important that information given here is correct but it is also very important that we all treat each other – and our points of view – with courtesy and respect. The purpose of this section is for people to be able to help each other out with technical questions and to offer helpful advice. Please keep posts friendly and respectful.
If you have not done so then have a hot wire from your tugs battery run to the trailer socket. If you have a 7 pin socket then it will be connected to pin 2. Get the installer to run the wire in a large size (at least as large as will fit into the socket pin.) This will give you night lighting.
Try your open road thing. You will encounter others as you travel, most will be friendly. Talk to them and see how they have set up. You can then make up your mind whether to go the generator or the solar option.
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:26:26 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:27:50 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:49:46 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 12:50:25 AM
HI
Quite true , in fact some go along way to prove it !
PeterQ
HI Taj
Ido notthink itistheperson who asksthe question that generally gets flogged or called gullable
I that applies more likely to some of the misleading & often ridiculous replies 1!sri
You just have to try and sort the wheat from the chaff
PeterQ
I'm not sure I want to be part of a forum that encourages ignorance, pigheadedness and people who set themselves up as experts.
PeterQ enjoy crapping on to people, if they follow your stupidity they deserve what they get.
Goodby.
perhaps you need to brush up on the requirements so you can be as informed as the rest of us.
have a merry christmas yourself.
Frank
Gday...
Obviously, laypersons continue to buy products, with instruction manuals/specifications, from 'reliable' manufacturers/importers/suppliers that are "potentially" dangerous and prone to kill or maim ... despite Regs and Standards.
Thank heavens we have the ADRs and licencing regulations so that motor vehicles are not "potentially" dangerous and prone to kill or maim.
Cheers - John
HI John
The problem is that those manuals are not necessarily written for Aus
In fact MOST do not take that into account
That is why those of us who know the FACTS have to contradict those who only" think" they know facts
Anything I post will be based on Australian rules & regulations
Unfortunately readers do have to sort the wheat from a lot of chaff [rubbish]
Each reader wil have to make their own decisions as to who they believe are RELIABLE sources
There are a FEW on this site
I do notice that a poster who is always seems to be concerned about others being polite is getting a little nasty & making snide comments[PerhapsI should run to Cindy , but I am grown up]' because I am daring to point out his lack of knowledge on the subject & the FACT that he is encouraging complacency with the use of devices that can & have killed
He has exhibited lack of knowledge /undertstanding on many occassions
It is the question of what point is it posting so called "qualifications" That proves absolutely NOTHING!
That subject had alrady been dicussed at length
I have shown how the AUTHORITIES & even some makers have reacted to that danger
A poster,on any forum,that posts misleading information should be corrected
Unfortunately misinformation gets perpetuated with many readers not aware it is incorrect
Electricity is dangerous
It needs to be used with care
Just because someone has done something for years does not mean it is SAFE.
People speed , run red ights, & do all sorts of stupid thing because they think they know it is ok but often end up dead or kill someone else.
One more comment for those who do not wish to know the dangers, by all means bury your heads in the sand!!
Yes, IT should be a freindly forum, but not at the cost of misinformation, especially on a TECHNICAL Forum/ section !!
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 03:02:13 PM
Hi
So the Rules ,regulations & recommendations made are wrong &only Phil is correct YIKESx9
I do want to be apart of ANY forum" that encourages ignorance, pigheadedness and people who set themselves up as experts."
Just to make sure the facts come out & people are not mislead
If people follow Phil's posts ,they may unfortunately get mislead & get what theyDO NOT deserve
To those who wish to avoid the dramas of electrical matters that occur on this Forum, I am always prepared to help when, where .,If I can if you PM me
There ARE a FEW others that I am sure would also be glad to help & whose advice you could rely on!
Many do so that to avoid the crap that that Electrical threads seem to attract
PeterQ
--
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 03:23:50 PM
I am closing this thread down now. Again, I understand that it is very important that information given here is correct but it is also very important that we all treat each other – and our points of view – with courtesy and respect. The purpose of this section is for people to be able to help each other out with technical questions and to offer helpful advice. Please keep posts friendly and respectful.