Electric Hook Up -Newbie question

[05gt]

I am wondering if there is any benefit it getting proper electric hook up to an unconverted Bongo with a leisure battery? I am planning some winter camping at campsites and wondering if I just crack a window and put in a lead(with RCD) through a window to connect to an oil filled radiator/boil a small kettle or if I should look at getting a professional electric hook up installed. I could be onsite for up to 3 nights at a time.

[roosmith]

The only thing against your method, especially in winter would be the draft from the cracked window however ventilation isn't a bad thing!

[Gasy]

That would be fine
Only thing it woudnt be doing is charging the battery
Get a trickle charge battery charge for about £20 from lidl and your done
Just don't forget to unhook when you drive away for the day
Think people put cable in through the rear door
Could put some hose pipe over cable for protection

[philpdr]

Maybe get an in line rcd something like this.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p22113?table=no

[05gt]

Thanks for the info and link. I will give it a go with the lead I have (has an rcd built in) going though a window and see how it goes. As you say the ventilation isn't a bad thing and I will be using it to boil a travel kettle as well so will be some steam from that. The suggestion of using a bit of hose pipe to protect the cable as well is a good idea. I have a little ctec smart charger in the garage that I can use to charge up the leisure battery.

[Diplomat]

I bring my cable in through the slightly lowered driver's window.

It's always down a bit for ventilation anyway and the wonderful wind deflector stops rain coming in anyway.

As a warning against driving away while connected, I drape the orange cable over the steering wheel and have the distribution block in the foot well. My 12V distribution system comes through the firewall to a box wedged just left of the dumb footrest. I can apply a charge to the battery from there as well.

I have yet to drive away still connected but it could happen. After all, pilots have been known to ignore terrain, stall and undercarriage alarms screaming at them and end up in big trouble. I think bringing it through the tailgate would be way too easy to forget and also having the potential not to notice any damage to the cable at the entry point.


Frank

[05gt]

Thanks Diplomat, I hadn't thought about an internal charging point for the leisure battery, good idea