Do I Need 240v Hookup?

[Snx72]

Hi

My van is currently getting converted - Caravelle seats on LWB rails. I'm having a pop top roof and solar panel and diesel heater fitted and a small kitchen pod.

My converter is saying that they can't fit the 240v control panel etc unless they build a box that will cover a part of the seat rails. Under the drivers and passenger seats they have battery and electrics for solar panel and heater ducting.

They're suggesting that maybe I don't need a 240v hookup and the battery on Solar will be fine.

I will be running a small waeco compressor fridge and just using led lights and usb ports to charge phones iPads etc. I can see that 240v maybe overkill?

If I'm camping for longer I could always just run an extension lead. ( I probably would anyway to get power into the awning)

Questions
- Do I really need 240v ? What am I missing?
- If yes are there other options for the converter do to fit this into existing space without building a box?


thanks for your advice in advance...

 

[Deaky]

Solar will be fine running the fridge and usb's etc. I have no hook up, I've only noticed the leisure battery low once and that was on a rainy weekend away when we spent most of our time in the van with the heater on. I have a 'hookup' extension lead to run into the van to charge the battery in an emergency

 

[Strange Al]

@travelvolts will tell you that you don't need a 240v 'controller' these days. When I bought my kit off of him he supplied a fuse box (white box, big but does fit under a seat) and that runs the leisure battery charger when hooked up as well as 2 sockets. I've also got a heater outlet, Solar input, fuse box and leisure battery under the seats similar to you.

You can have a look at my build thread - Al's Adventures In Conversionland - (those pics are mid conversion; it looks a lot neater in there now ) to see how I did it, but there are so many ways to skin this cat, there really is no right or wrong.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Personally wouldn’t be without 240EHU. We have an electric kettle for the constant brews & fan heater for the cooler nights & when we’re skiing. It’s another option in your armoury. Much easier to put it in now than retro fit.

 

[Snx72]

Solar will be fine running the fridge and usb's etc. I have no hook up, I've only noticed the leisure battery low once and that was on a rainy weekend away when we spent most of our time in the van with the heater on. I have a 'hookup' extension lead to run into the van to charge the battery in an emergency [/QUOT

Solar will be fine running the fridge and usb's etc. I have no hook up, I've only noticed the leisure battery low once and that was on a rainy weekend away when we spent most of our time in the van with the heater on. I have a 'hookup' extension lead to run into the van to charge the battery in an emergency

Hi - how does your hookup charge the battery ?

 

[Deaky]

I have a CTEK battery charger. If I need to I plug it into the extension lead and attach it to the leisure battery using a CTEK comfort connector.

I've never had to do this though but I do have a 300w solar panel