Bongo Fury

Hi all,

I've a standard factory cube kitchen where everything works expect the 110V output.

I only discovered today when I hooked up a 110V travel kettle as I figured that would be more convenient than buying a 220V inverter.

Everything else works, even the 12v cigarette socket below it. I'm not sure if there's a fuse somewhere or if the 110V inverter itself has failed (I've read they can give trouble)

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks

I very much doubt there is a 110v inverter, I suspect the socket is wired to run direct from the Japanese mains.

It's not possible to say what's been removed or rewired since Bongy arrive in Blighty.

Indeed, there will be a socket on the outside of the vehicle, a 3-pin screw type, that is the 110v power inlet from Jap EHU. Please don't try to use it in the UK or any other 240v mains environment!!

Ah crap, I thought it was powered off the leisure battery in the unit

Looks like I'm going to need a 220v inverter powerful enough for an 800w kettle.

How much power can be put through a 12V socket?
I'm guessing I'd have to hook up the inverter directly off the battery terminals?

Geoff's the expert, but you would need a big inverter, and it will run the LB down very quickly.

Could you just use a gas kettle on the cube?

I could use the hob but I'd rather the convenience of an electric kettle.
Shouldn't the leisure battery in the kitchen cube charge when the vehicle is running or is it just slow to recharge?
I'd probably only want to boil the kettle every half hour anyway
Nah maybe twice in a day would do me

You won't get many cuppers out of your leisure battery I tell you!
First the sockets are only rated at 10 Amps, as is the existing wiring, that is 120Watts of power.
So you will need to put in cabling from the leisure battery to any inverter capable of at least 1KWatt, at 12 volts that's 1000/12= 85 Amps that will be rather similar to the cable to the starter motor 7.5mm Outside Diameter - that's thick!
When you have done that and your running the inverter your largest size leisure battery will be 120AmpHours, which if you want to last for its 2 year guarantee can only be discharged to 50% that's 60AmpHours so you can only use it for 60/85 = 42 minutes
Sorry to tell you but leisure batteries are NOT designed for use by any sort of heating devices! Go back to using the gas hob, its a lot quicker, reliable and will last a lot longer!

The battery in the kitchen cube is also a LOT smaller than your average leisure battery under the bonnet, the circuit breaker is set for 2.5 Amps that is a power consumption of only 30 Watts sufficient for lighting and water pump.

Ah... probably should have enquired on here before purchasing the kettle

Hopefully I can swap it out for a nice whistling kettle.
I've a good thermos flask here anyway so it might only be a case of boiling the kettle once in the morning.

ever after. wrote: Fri May 21, 2021 2:15 pm Ah... probably should have enquired on here before purchasing the kettle

Hopefully I can swap it out for a nice whistling kettle.
I've a good thermos flask here anyway so it might only be a case of boiling the kettle once in the morning.

Aldi have a few inverters for sale at the mo in the middle aisle - they only go to 600W peak power though so wouldn't do a kettle.

Thanks Oibaf,
I'm actually after finding an old inverter in the camping gear that came with the van.
It sounds like it would do it (800w constant, 1200w peak) and has the cable with the clamps so I can power it directly from the battery terminals.

I know that the leisure battery in the back was completely gone when I bought the van as I had to replace it to get the kitchen going.
Did the previous owner damage the last battery using that inverter or is it even worth risking it on the new battery?

I just need to consider my options

Invertors are not a good idea in general for trying to power any form of heating device, mains powered heating aren't designed with efficiency in mind as they have basically unlimited supplies from the domestic mains. Whilst from a battery there is a VERY limited amount of energy available.

Thanks g8dhe, I think I'm going to take your advice.
There's literally no point torturing my new leisure battery when I can just use the gas hob

Rumour is that the tea tastes better when the water is gas - heated. Old school!