Hookup And Consumer Unit Under The Bonnet

[Deaky]

At the minute, I have an EHU extension lead with a RCD and breaker built in to it. I run this into the van and plug my battery charger in when needed.

I'm toying with the idea of fitting it permanently. Would there be anything wrong in fitting the EHU socket under the bonnet with an enclosure next to it with an RCD and breaker that's connected to the charger. Preferably with the charger under the bonnet too?

The enclosure could be IP67 rated if need be.

 

[Fish]

Plenty of room behind the LED's and infront of battery.. my connection runs into this space.. and no issue in closing bonnet as there is a space to run the lead out ant end of the wing..
If that don't make sense then tough.. had a couple of bottles..

 

[T6Jay]

I plan to do exactly this. I found the perfect enclosure and will use 2x RCBOs to save space, the enclosure has on free space.

It's IP65, which I think is plenty unless you are converting a submarine (IP65 is protected from water jets, IP67 is submersible)

Here it is;



There's a upright plastic wall on the left of the battery, its' 'foot' bolts to the chassis. I plan to cut the foot off, put an steel upright in, and screw the consumer unit (and the plastic wall) to this. If you find a better way, let me know!

The downside I can see is that two flexes will need to run into the van, but the (big) upside to this is that the unprotected cable runs are much shorter.

 

[Deaky]

That's the enclosure I was looking at and exactly the place I'm thinking of putting it. Not sure if the MCB/RCD or RCBO's have to be 2 way. Just in case the hookup post has reverse polarity?

 

[T6Jay]

That's the enclosure I was looking at and exactly the place I'm thinking of putting it. Not sure if the MCB/RCD or RCBO's have to be 2 way. Just in case the hookup post has reverse polarity?

If you mean 2 pole, then these RCBOs are 2 pole, if you fit a standard 35mm wide RCD, youll only get one MCB in the box

 

[Deaky]

If you mean 2 pole, then these RCBOs are 2 pole, if you fit a standard 35mm wide RCD, youll only get one MCB in the box

Looks like that's just the job then

 

[Pauly]

Just make sure you get the right RCBOs @Deaky as traditionally most 1 module rcbos are 1 pole and 2 module rcbos are 2 pole but some of the modern ones are starting to change over to 2 pole in a single module
I think Cudis/CPN are around the cheapest for this but most manufacturers are releasing updated reduced size RCBOs now so worth checking around
RO2NE RCBO - single pole MCB sized RCBO's with a 5 year warranty.

 

[T6Jay]

That's the enclosure I was looking at and exactly the place I'm thinking of putting it. Not sure if the MCB/RCD or RCBO's have to be 2 way. Just in case the hookup post has reverse polarity?

You were right, the RCBOs I had were only switching the live. I've sent them back and bought the Wylex ones instead, they switch the neutral too.

 

[T6Jay]

What's the best way to run the cable out through the closed bonnet? I'm thinking I need to fit some kind of clip that makes the cable always run in the same 'safe' place. Also I'm keen to run it where it wont mark my shiny paintwork!

 

[Deaky]

There’s bags of room between the bonnet and the grille on mine. You could wrap the cable in some tessa tape if you’re worried about any scratches.

 

[Ads_Essex]

What's the best way to run the cable out through the closed bonnet?
I'm thinking I need to fit some kind of clip that makes the cable always run in the same 'safe' place.
Also I'm keen to run it where it wont mark my shiny paintwork!

There’s bags of room between the bonnet and the grille on mine.
You could wrap the cable in some tessa tape if you’re worried about any scratches.

That, or affix some clips to the unseen part of the grille and the bottom of the bumper to clip the fly lead in to?
If it’s held taut it should minimise the chances of scratching

 

[T6Jay]

There’s bags of room between the bonnet and the grille on mine. You could wrap the cable in some tessa tape if you’re worried about any scratches.

Not so with mine (T6.1). If I try to close the bonnet with a (scrap) cable sticking out the front, it feels bad, if you know what I mean. The plastic trim above the headlights has a small (10mm?) lip on it and I think this is where it touches the soundproofing under the bonnet.


It's possible at the back, where the rubber seal is very compressable. It grips the cable, but it's still possible to pull the cable through.


There's also a route through above the wing, on the outside of the hinge mechanism. But a slight misplacement here would be a disaster

 

[robmug]

How have you fed the cable into the IP65 enclosure in a way that maintains the IP65 rating?

EDIT: Presumably with IP rated grommets Tower Male Comp Gland 20mm 2 Pack

 

[T6Jay]

How have you fed the cable into the IP65 enclosure in a way that maintains the IP65 rating?

EDIT: Presumably with IP rated grommets Tower Male Comp Gland 20mm 2 Pack

IP66 compression glands, all fitted in the bottom of the box, so there's no standing water possible in the gland

 

[Kingsimon2000]

I plan to do exactly this. I found the perfect enclosure and will use 2x RCBOs to save space, the enclosure has on free space.

It's IP65, which I think is plenty unless you are converting a submarine (IP65 is protected from water jets, IP67 is submersible)

Here it is;

View attachment 62987

There's a upright plastic wall on the left of the battery, its' 'foot' bolts to the chassis. I plan to cut the foot off, put an steel upright in, and screw the consumer unit (and the plastic wall) to this. If you find a better way, let me know!

The downside I can see is that two flexes will need to run into the van, but the (big) upside to this is that the unprotected cable runs are much shorter.

Hello,,, Have you got the specs for the above kit you used? Not a spark and not sure what bits to order... I've got the Artic cable and the sockets but need the cu details , many thanks Simon

 

[T6Jay]

I used this box;


74436 x 1 Wylex 3-Module IP65 Insulated Enclosure With Visor £11.01 from TLC

and I think these were the breakers;

Wylex 10A 30mA DP Type C Mini RCBO - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. 18th Edition Amendment 2. Protects against possible damage caused by residual current faults, short circuits and current overloads. 'No miss' tunnel terminals with in-built terminal shields prevent incorrect fixing. Allows quicker insulation resistance testing as...

www.screwfix.com

but I can't remember where I got them, I will check tonight...

 

[Kingsimon2000]

I used this box;


74436 x 1 Wylex 3-Module IP65 Insulated Enclosure With Visor £11.01 from TLC

and I think these were the breakers;

Wylex 10A 30mA DP Type C Mini RCBO - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. 18th Edition Amendment 2. Protects against possible damage caused by residual current faults, short circuits and current overloads. 'No miss' tunnel terminals with in-built terminal shields prevent incorrect fixing. Allows quicker insulation resistance testing as...

www.screwfix.com

but I can't remember where I got them, I will check tonight...

Many thanks.. yep found the box on screwfix... but I don't know which modules to get.. many thanks for your time... Don't fancy making the whole van live!

 

[Ann3x]

Many thanks.. yep found the box on screwfix... but I don't know which modules to get.. many thanks for your time... Don't fancy making the whole van live!

Makes the wiring simpler - right?

 

[Abevan1984]

Hello,

considering one of these to try and mount under the bonnet .. anyone used one that will fit?

am looking for 2 DP MCBs in an IP65 housing

Caravan Consumer Unit IP65

25A RCD protected caravan and mobile home consumer unit.• Complete with 16A and 6A Double Pole MCBs to comply with BS standards• Lockable• Power indication neon• Comes complete with optional surface mounting brackets for complete IP65 protection

www.toolstation.com

thanks

 

[Deaky]

I used a similar one from screwfix

Deaky’s Kombi to Camper journey

Off course they can. Completely 2 different and independent systems;)

www.t6forum.com