EHU circuit nervous twitch

[slocumjoseph]

Tried to send this directly to Dellmassive but apparently I'm only allowed 420 characters. This is what it's all about....
I’ve started to clear this area in the van ready to sort the wiring for the new Renogy charger/controller but I’m not sure of the EHU system. I’m a bit nervous about the mains voltage wiring and still haven’t got my head around the test unit. The feed comes straight from the input on the side of the van to a 13amp socket inside then, apparently, via this testing socket (which I had to smash to get out) down to a standard 12v charger. Is it ok to keep this charger in the system. I’m not quite sure what is being tested with these buttons. Should I replace the smashed unit with a similar one or can I replace it with a plug in RCD tester to give me some extra wall space and do I need to include a trip switch consumer unit somewhere in the mains circuit?

 

[Dellmassive]

I would swap that red power supply/charger for a smart charger with a lithium profile.

That will be more suitable for your renogy battery.


...

The test thing looks more like a RCD fuesd spur.

(the grey test button is to self test the units RCD feature - press the button and the circuit should trip out)

That I'd assume would have the incoming mains connected to it then the outgoing protected/fused mains going to the rest of the van.

Or they was just using it to connect the charger to it?

Either way I believe the current standard is a double pole breaker / RCD on the incoming mains..... So that means you need to have a fresh look at that, and no you can't just use s plug-in RCD. (Well technically you could, but it's against the electrical installation guide)


edit: I've shown a replacement for that 1 gang RCD unit lower down.

 

[Dellmassive]

you need a charger with a lithium profile.




this 10A smart charger is popular with the T6 crowd. -

Charger 12V 10A Blue Smart IP65 Victron Energy 12/10 + DC Connector : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive​

Buy Charger 12V 10A Blue Smart IP65 Victron Energy 12/10 + DC Connector at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.
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it can be connected vis the battery clamps or the quick disconnect that's included.

it can be wired into the van also if needed (ie on EHU)

and can be left perm connected.

also work with the Bluetooth app.

 

[Dellmassive]

this is the 15A version . . . might be better for you?

a faster charge, and will run more stuff when on EHU if its connected. . . .

also comes with a UK mains plug.

Victron Energy Blue Smart IP65 12-Volt 15 amp 230V, Battery Charger, Bluetooth (UK): Amazon.co.uk: Automotive​

Victron Energy Blue Smart IP65 12-Volt 15 amp 230V, Battery Charger, Bluetooth (UK): Amazon.co.uk: Automotive
amzn.to

 

[Dellmassive]

as for the EHU, have a look at @travelvolts hook up kits. . . . .

mains hook up

proper mains hook up kits for camper vans

www.travelvolts.net

take a look at his guide here - https://www.travelvolts.net/_files/ugd/d959f6_cac3de463b1448f1ba03c426aea27945.pdf


this unit is normally fitted under the bonnet,

or under a seat,

or in a rear cupboard.

...

it has an RCD breaker for the mains in,

then 2x outgoing circuit breakers for mains,

so maybe one for sockets, and one for chargers etc etc

 

[Dellmassive]

another example here:

Full Mains EHU Installation Kit Camper Van Hookup Hook up 4x13a White 16a Inlet for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Full Mains EHU Installation Kit Camper Van Hookup Hook up 4x13a White 16a Inlet at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

ebay.us

 

[Dellmassive]

numax 121000

https://cdn.tayna.com/datasheets/Numax%20Charger%20Specs.pdf

this unit is a standard SLA battery charger,

it peaks at around 14.7v and floats at around 13.7v. it looks to be around 7A/10A

No mention of Lithium profile etc - so technically the Renogy battery would accept a charge from this. . . . . . But

The official view would be to replace it with a more modern charger that has Lithium profile. - so swap it out and keep in the garage for a rainy day.



.



.

 

[Dellmassive]

this is an example of what you have in that damaged spur.

as we thought, its a 13A fused spur with RCD protected output.

Knightsbridge 13A RCD Fused Spur Unit CU6RCD

Type A RCD for AC residual current and pulsating DC up to 6 mA. Suitable for equipment with electronic components such as IT equipment.

www.alertelectrical.com

 

[Dellmassive]

and here a quick look at what they do . . .

.

.

 

[slocumjoseph]

Thanks for all that Lee. A lot to chew over. Still using lead acid and it’s a fairly recent purchase. It’ll be a while before I can get a lithium one as I’m still saving for my solar panel. Time for ZZs now. I’ll go through all your info in the morning.

 

[Dellmassive]

In that case. The red charger will be fine for a SLA battery.

And will work in conjunction with the renogy dc_dc / mttp charger you have.

 

[Nigel W]

Just a little warning on that red numax charger - it has a fan which runs all the time and varies in speed according to the charge.
At night when all is quiet it sounds like an angry mosquito and if the fridge starts up putting a load on the battery it sounds like an invasion of a mosquito swarm!
yes you can dismantle and clean the fan it but we found that was it just a temporary fix - ours now lives in the shed maintaining the mower battery.
Ours might have been defective but would suggest you test yours before installing.

 

[slocumjoseph]

Great stuff Lee. I’ll stick with what I have for simplicity at the moment. Although, I'm sure when I'm working out new cable routes and fuses a million questions will come up. I was wondering if this MK unit could replace my smashed tester with the added bonus of the trip switch which I guess would make a cut off switch if needed. I know what you mean @Nigel W. Noises haven’t really been a problem, much, as with such little reserve power even the fridge has been off at night. I did once have a bad night though, before I fully understood the the van set up. I was in a pub car park and thought it was their ac unit making noises but in the morning realised I’d been listening to my own fridge compressor switching off and on. I only had two pints..honest. I rarely use the EHU as I’m usually wild camping. Actually the inverter is the noisiest but that’s only when it’s getting a bit warm and its never on for long. Notes being taken though so a more sophisticated charger might be on my bucket list for later.

 

[Dellmassive]

@slocumjoseph no, not really, that's not electrically safe.

that breaker is designed to go into a Consumer unit. ( you dont want exposed mains terminals etc)

you should replace like for like . . . eg. (you can switch on/off with the test/reset button)




or . . .

swap out for the Consumer unit.

 

[slocumjoseph]

Good advice. I understand now. The Knightsbridge unit is the one.