240v to 110 via transformer

[jackasti]

Hi Bongo Sparkies.
I have followed the advice regarding "hookup" to charge my leisure battery. ie 240 from campsite to RVD with sockets to stepdown transformer (110v). I have disconnected the wires from the external 3 pin hookup that was the original fit to the van. I am now about to connect this to the 110v output from the transformer. I am looking at 3 wires. Red, Black and white which I intend to wire into a UK 3 pin plug which I will plug into the transformer using a travel adapter. Could you advise me as to the colours of the wires in relation to their function. ie earth, positive and neutral? And secondary where can I obtain a US type rewirable 3 pin plug? Maplins only supply 2 pin.
Many thanks.

[mister munkey]

Welcome to the fold.

Would something like THIS suit or do you need the actual plug?

[jackasti]

Hi.
Nearly but not quite. The socket in the transformer is a US three hole thing so the plug needs to be US. The adaption would be UK 3 pin into a US 3 pin which would then go into the transformer. Or ideally a wireable US 3 pin plug.
Thanks

[stilldesperate]

It's bin a long day, and I can't quite get my head round what you're trying to do, but This site has the sockets (I think) you need, and has the wire colours at the bottom of the page.

Hope it helps,

SD

[Croz]

Is this what you are looking for?





If so PM me and I can post it to you on Tuesday

Cheers

Croz

[jackasti]

Hi All
Thanks for the help so far, Croz has kindly offered to send me a US plug and I have been directed to a very usefull website. I have (I think) established that the 3 wires coming from the original hook-up that feed the cube are: Black = live. Neutral = white so I assume that the red wire is earth. The web sites state that earth should be green!!! with no mention of red.
Hmmmmm!!!

[Croz]

Hi Jackasti,

Glad the plug is the right one - PM sent ................ Sorry I can't help with the details of your wiring.

Croz

[dreamwarrioruk]

why not just rip the lot out and wire it in 240v, makes more sense to me.

[jackasti]

I was hoping to keep the camper cube thing intact. All the wiring, charger and technical stuff is 110v. My idea is to stuff 110 v down the existing input cable via a stepdown transformer. Everything is ready to go....all except the base knowledge of how to wire these 3 wires into the US plug. Everything is pointing to Black being live and White being neutral but I am just a little bit warry of wiring the Red to earth......

Jackasti

[helen&tony]

Hi
MMmmm...tricky...I would be inclined to agree with Dreamwarrior...re-wire to 240. I've used a step-down transformer...sent from America...Very expensive, and encased in resin....but they do get hot....and I don't like HOT electrics....
If you must, then use an industrial "Site Transformer"...big yellow jobbies!
Cheers
Helen

[jackasti]

Thanks to all so far.
I am still keen to follow the advice on the Bongo Fury factsheet "Transform Your Mazda Fitted Kitchen Unit" updated on 27th May 2008 written by Steve Carpenter. His solution seems to work well and, is simple to convert. I have a a 240v hookup kit with RVD, ventilated stepdown transformer from Maplins Electronics, a US plug on its way and the factsheet clutched in one hand with ascrewdriver in the other.......

Jackasti

[francophile1947]

Aren't the cubes 100V - not that I would think the 10V difference is very important

[missfixit70]

I know Crazy uses a site 110v transformer on his, or at least he used to. Worth pming him? http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ile&u=1451 although I think he's off doing bank holiday stuff ATM.

[jackasti]

Thanks to all so far.
I have removed the original 110v external hook-up socket from the van and note that the 3 identically sized pins are numbered 1,2 and 3. the corresponding wires in the rear of the socket are: 1=Black: 2=White and 3= Red.

Message sent to Crazy.

If Steve Carpenter is out there (the auther of the factsheet) I would welcome contact

jackasti

[stilldesperate]

Did mine last year, will pop out in a min, when the rain stops, and let you know.

SD