110v to 240v conversion on original factory fitted kitchen.

[PaulF]

Dear Bongo people,

Can anyone help with some idiot proof advice on understanding the "Transform Your Mazda Fitted Kitchen Unit" fact sheet? Ideally i would like to know what RCD's (exactly) were used and, in paragraph 3 does disconnecting the 'original 110v inlet cable' mean removing the original japanes hook up from the side of the Bongo (which ive done, and made the hole bigger for the new hook-up) and basically cut the old socket off and replace it with an American (or japanese) plug and then plug this into the mini RCD?
Also do these 2 mini RCD's and the main RCD come as one unit? (the fact sheet talks about a "hook-up kit ..... with residual current device and 2 mini RCD's"

Any advice gratefully recieved..........

Cheers,

Paulf

[briwy]

Paul.

I installed a Cube unit a couple of months ago and did this.

The RCD unit I used is a normal UK domestic one with a main breaker and two separate MCBs. Cost about £25 from the local trade electrical supplier.

One of the MCBs has a cable from it to the new 240v UK socket mounted on the front of the Cube. The other one is wired into a transformer (Maplins £40) which drops the voltage from 240 to 110v. The output from the transformer is wired into the existing large switch just inside the front door of the Cube.

I then cut a hole in the side of the Bongo and mounted a standard 3 pin socket to accept the power lead. The lead from the socket goes directly to the input of the RCD unit.

Ill try and get some photos up tomorrow work permitting.

[briwy]

Pics as promised.


The drop down transformer


Fits just nicely under the cooler box tray


RCD unit from the front


RCD from the cool box hole. Mounted on a piece of galvanised plate bolted to the Cube frame. My battery is under the bonnet so may need to position the RCD somewhere else if the battery is still in the Cube


The scary bit


Measured MANY times before cutting


Mains in socket from inside


Job done

Hope this helps

[Doone]

Well done Briwy, that's a nice job! I like your comment "Measured MANY times before cutting". Cutting really is the scarey bit.

[PaulF]

Thanks for that, very helpful and cleared up a few confusions.

CHEERS!

Paul & Jacqui F

[PaulF]

One more question which concerns me...... with what did you treat the bare metal (and screw holes!) after cutting out the hole, to prevent future rusting in those areas??
Thanks,

PaulF

Pics as promised.


The drop down transformer


Fits just nicely under the cooler box tray


RCD unit from the front


RCD from the cool box hole. Mounted on a piece of galvanised plate bolted to the Cube frame. My battery is under the bonnet so may need to position the RCD somewhere else if the battery is still in the Cube


The scary bit


Measured MANY times before cutting


Mains in socket from inside


Job done

Hope this helps

[briwy]

Paul
Used silver Hammerite Smooth Silver paint. Couple of coats and let it dry well before putting the socket in.
I expected the socket to have some form of gasket but apparently not so used clear bathroom silicone sealer in liberal dollops all round. Seems OK so far.

[PaulF]

Thanks for that.

PaulF

[PaulF]

Hi Briwy,

I have got the Maplins transformer now (not the RCD yet) but am still (as always) confused by what you did and what Steve Carpenter did. He describes fitting an "American style 3 pin plug" to the lead removed from the original inlet lead from the Japanes hook-up, and plugging it into the USA/ Japanes style socket on the transformer. Have you done something drasticly different? as i cant seem to get hold of a USA style plug to fit. Maplins dont do them anymore as Steve Carpenter described. ...... I think i'll have to get my brother (a helicopter electrician!) onto the job........
Any more advice designed for idiots gratefully recieved.
Paul F

[briwy]

Paul

Sorry about the delay, been away.

I got a lead with a US plug on it and then connected that to the main breaker switch at the front of the kitchen unit.

Can't remember exactly where I got it but it was like this.

http://www.rapidonline.com/1/1/8673-nor ... -lead.html

Hope that helps

Brian

[PaulF]

Thanks Brian, i have just managed to get one from a friend who happened to be on business in the USA and brought one back with him. The latest hurdle (if you can help with this one) is when i went into our local electrical store recently to buy the RCD (with the 2 mini MCB's) they asked me what amperage i wanted ???? and i have apsolutely no idea. A friend has suggested "80amp RCD then either 32 or 20 amp mcb's"....... would you agree with that? I cant tell from your pictures what rating yours is.

Cheers,

Paul

[briwy]

That should be plenty big enough Paul.

I can't remember what mine is but I have a feeling its 20 and 16 amp.

Wire the charging system into the lower of the two breakers and the 13 amp UK socket/s into the larger one.

Brian

[g8dhe]

As ever the MCB's are there to protect the wiring so if you put in a 32Amp MCB the cable needs to be rated HIGHER than 32Amps!
Given that the EHU Connectors (and the supply) are rated at 16 Amps Max. and the wall socket at 13Amps you will be wasting money
No need to exceed 16Amps for the MCB,then you can use standard mains cabling to the socket such as http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power/62421- ... dp/CB11449

[PaulF]

ok thanks guys, much appreciated!
Paul

[PaulF]

Hi guys, got the job done with much help from Brian and his photo's and 'hooked-up' over the Easterwekend (took the kitchen toaster just to make use of our new 240v uk socket!). All worked well but can anyone tell me if our newly re-located leisure battery charges up whilst hooked-up to the camp site 240v hook-up, or if it simply by-passed? I may be wrong but the leisure battery seems to have lost charge whilst we were plugged into the mains!

Regards,

Paul