Hi Everyone,

Just wondering who I would need to see to get some work done.

My point to plug into 240volt power is on the inside of my van, and in the past I have just left the drivers window down a smidgen and fed the lead through to the point.  I would like to get it changed so that only plug is on the outside, so I don't have to leave my windows down at all. See picture.

Do I just contact an electrician ?

Thanks,

Julie

Hi Sheba,

Sorry, the picture is not my van, that is how I would like it done on my van.

Thanks,

Julie

Thanks Sheba ...

Hi Brian,

Thanks, I will get some quotes tomorrow now I know.

Thank you.

Julie

Yes, you need a licensed Electrician. I am one.  Where are you. I am presently in Tasmania and will be in Victoria around the Shepparton area first week of April.  I will be doing work like this as I travel. However if you are too far away from where I'll be, see a local electrical contractor, get a quote and go from there. I shouldn't imagine it would be a big or costly job..

BG,

Does any sparky cut the hole and install the outside plug?  I was wondering myself whether to just call a sparky or go to MH place.

Thanks BG, I did phone a MH/Caravan place and couldn't do an accurate quote without the vehicle but indicated about $500 which I thought was steep. I need the cut out switch and a couple of inside power points as well on the inside near the outside inlet. Would appreciate your opinion if expensive for job or not. The picture it as it is.

Thanks

Hi Everyone,

 

This is the setup inside my van that I want moved to an external lockable box setup.

 

Thanks,

 

Julie

PS. I don't know why the photokeepsm
-- Edited by Where To Next on Tuesday 5th of March 2013 07:34:31 PM

Hi Julie, the fixed Plug you have in the van is a 10amp, you really need to have a 15amp External Plug fitted to the outer wall of your van.  I am thinking the RCD would stay inside.

Cheers Neil

Delta18 wrote:

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Hi Julie, the fixed Plug you have in the van is a 10amp, you really need to have a 15amp External Plug fitted to the outer wall of your van.  I am thinking the RCD would stay inside.

Cheers Neil

---

 There is no requirement to have a 15A inlet.

Unless you are using lots of power (air conditioner) a 10A inlet would be quite sufficient and you will also be able to legally connect to a 10A outlet or a 15A outlet.

Stay 10A if that is all you need.

Cheers,

Peter

Where To Next wrote:

---

Hi Everyone,

 Just wondering who I would need to see to get some work done.

 My point to plug into 240volt power is on the inside of my van, and in the past I have just left the drivers window down a smidgen and fed the lead through to the point.  I would like to get it changed so that only plug is on the outside, so I don't have to leave my windows down at all. See picture.

 Do I just contact an electrician ?

 Thanks,

 Julie

 

 

 

 

---

Ok, I've fixed up your photos which are below. What I suggest you do is locate an electrical contractor. Not an auto electrician. Use the Yellow Pages for the area you live in. Select a Contractor who is a one man operation, not a big Company and certainly not a MH/Caravan repair shop. A one man operation doesn't have the overhead like a big firm that has a warehouse, lots of vehicles and staff. The hourly rate will be $40.00 to $60.oo whereas a big firm could be $85.00 an hour upwards. A MH/Caravan Shop is a rip off evidenced by the estimate of $500.00 for the work you described.

The Caravan inlet you have is 10 amp which will be ok. If you decide to put an aircon in, change the inlet to 15 amp. Any other wiring or equipment changes will be included in the aircon quote. If the inlet can be put on the exterior wall directly behind where it is currently located, there will be no material use. You will be paying labor only. Maximum 2 hours work, say $80.00 cost to you. If you change the inlet to 15 amp, it costs $34.95 inc GST. A Contractor will add his profit anything from 10% to 50%.

The Hager 816T RCB is 16 amp single pole unit. OK for your use, including an air conditioner. Leave it in its current location.

Now if you want to install 2 power points close to the Hager RCB, it may not be possible to conceal the wiring behind the walls. Wiring will be in PVC pipe attached to the wall. Assuming the power points will be within 1 meter of the RCB, cost of pipe and wire will be roughtly $10.00. Power points cost $$18.70 each, and a mounting block cost $6.60 ea. Once again the Contractor will add his profit. Total material cost will be $60.00 plus profit 10% to 50%, plus labor. Once again maximum 2 hours labor, say $80.00. Total to do all the work including changing the inlet to a 15 amp unit would be around $288.00 to $300.00 allowing a 50% profit to the Contractor on materials. Most small Contractors would work on 20% to 25%, but you never know.

Once again I must emphasise that I have not seen your rig or the work involved, and I am only making an assessment on the basis of the information you have posted.

Hope all this helps. At least you have an indication of the cost which will allow you to evaluate any quotes you receive. I suggest you get 2 or 3 quotes. Also I cannot guarantee the hourly rate of a one man Contractor operation is $40.00. It may be more.

Regards, Ken. 

BG,

Thanks so much for your post, so informative and helpful. I sensed the $500 quote as over the top, so did nothing further. Now I have an idea what to look out for I will pursue having it done. I think I prefer a 10 amp inlet if it is legal to run a fridge, kettle and toaster and not at the same time. That will avoid the implications of plugging into a normal house supply legally and not 15 amp.

Thanks for everyones contribution to this subject and the original poster for asking the question.

KFT wrote:

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G'day everyone,

Big Gorilla, I am a bit put off by the price you quote for the double power points. My experience tells me they must be double pole and I have never been able to source them at trade price for less than about $45.00 each (HPM/Clipsal) are you quoting another brand or only single pole outlets?

frank

---

 Hi Frank. They are single outlets, not double. The maker is Chinese, a good unit approved for use in Australia. I've forgotten the brand name. Most electrical wholesalers now stock them and most do sell to the public. I have quoted a double pole unit which is required for a Caravan/Motorhome. I didn't go into too much technical detail as the member/s may not understand, but the electrician doing the job will know that double pole is required. The price you quoted is for a HPM or Clipsal double GPO, double pole. Single GPO double pole same brands, is $32.50 inc GST. The Chinese version is actually $20.57 as I had forgotten to add GST.

Ken.

Sheba wrote:

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So glad the Guys came in on that one Julie.  I sure was way off base there, but I've learned something for future reference.

Cheers,

Sheba.

---

 Your comment was to get an auto electrician. That would be correct if the problem was in the 12 volt side of the installation or work was required on a car or caravan 12 volt wiring. But an auto electrician is not permitted to work on a 240 volt installation, unless he is appropriately licensed. Most are not.  An electrician such as myself can work on a 12 volt installation which is not too difficult in a caravan or motorhome, but ask me about car electrics and I'm completely lost !