Wiring a Consumer Unit and Plug Sockets | Van Electrics | DIY Sprinter Van Conversion UK

With my 12V electrical system complete, I just needed to add some plug sockets to allow me to charge things like laptops and phones, as well as plug in a TV and other similar appliances.
These things all rely on a 230V AC system, which is why I previously installed a Victron Phoenix Inverter which converts DC to AC.
Using a standard household plug, I connected a consumer unit to my inverter. The consumer houses a single RCBO and from that I connected three double plug sockets in a radial circuit.
An RCBO is essentially an MCB and an RCD combined and are slightly more expensive but perfect for when you only have one electrical output.
If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below.
www.greenhorncountryclub.co.uk/post/consumer-unit
Materials used:
RCBO Consumer Unit - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204065409357
2.5mm Twin and Earth Cable 10m - amzn.eu/d/1ZqyuTL
Mains Plug - amzn.eu/d/e99puXo
Double Plug Sockets x3 - amzn.eu/d/1hl7HbT
Plug Back Box x3 - www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/produ...
TOTAL: £107.68
You can now see a full breakdown of costs here: www.greenhorncountryclub.co.u...
Link to Inverter Installation: • Wiring a Victron Phoen...
More content at: www.greenhorncountryclub.co.uk
Follow on Instagram: bit.ly/3sEasQG
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - Components
1:04 - What's an RCBO?
2:33 - Radial circuit
3:20 - Back boxes
3:54 - Earthing
4:56 - Positioning
6:14 - Separating AC/DC cables
7:19 - Cable positioning
8:05 - Fitting cable
9:13 - Wiring plug
10:55 - Wiring RCBO
12:40 - Wiring plug sockets
15:47 - The mishap
16:30 - Testing

Пікірлер: 15

  • @jackchapman3753
    @jackchapman3753 Жыл бұрын

    Just want to say that I’ve found your video series so helpful! I’m working through my electrical system on my van and your videos have been a great guide. Keep up the awesome content 👍

  • @GreenHornCountryClub

    @GreenHornCountryClub

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for the comment dude, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear that! Keep me posted on how you get on man, would love to see the result 👍🏼

  • @RetroMods
    @RetroMods Жыл бұрын

    I'm picking up some good tips here, thanks. I'm miles behind you on my build but you've been a good source of info. I was even wondering if I would have to run separate cables for each plug socket. Obviously not. Nice one👍

  • @GreenHornCountryClub

    @GreenHornCountryClub

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks man! I was initially worried about this too but was very relieved to find out this wasn’t the case, makes life far easier 👌

  • @user-yi6sm9fp5i
    @user-yi6sm9fp5i7 ай бұрын

    Hi came across your vid , with regards to wiring sockets using an RCBO .. Do you possibly have a link to the one you used or a company that i may purchase it from .. great work, thanks a million

  • @GreenHornCountryClub

    @GreenHornCountryClub

    7 ай бұрын

    Hey dude! Thanks so much for the message, I'm glad you found the video helpful. I bought the consumer unit from a seller on eBay who puts together little electrical packages specifically for motorhomes: www.ebay.co.uk/usr/ukcampingpower The package I bought at the time was just the single RCBO in its consumer unit with an earth wire. Looking at his eBay page, it doesn't look like he's selling any at the moment sadly. Although a mate of mine did contact him directly and he did have one in stock apparently, so may be worth doing that.

  • @markustitus8521
    @markustitus8521 Жыл бұрын

    Hey mate, great job as usual... especially the lock in part 😂 As mentioned, very inspirational, got a question tho. How much wattage could you draw through this series of plugs? Thanks, as always, keep the good work 👍

  • @GreenHornCountryClub

    @GreenHornCountryClub

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello dude! Thanks as always 🙏🏻 I believe a standard plug socket can take up to 3000 watts, however my inverter can deal with a maximum of 800 watts so I won’t be able to plug in things like kettles or hair dryers which use a huge amount of energy. Instead I’ll just be using them to charge things like my phone and laptop, as well as maybe plug in a TV 👍🏼

  • @brianwithers162

    @brianwithers162

    Жыл бұрын

    @@GreenHornCountryClub Good answer. Having spent several years professionally building campers, people forget that the inverters can only deliver what the're rated at. 800watts means you can extract 3.5 amps at 240v at the most. But the current from your 12v battery when the invertor is going full tilt is round about 60amps so you do need a battery that can support that load so the supply cable needs to be fairly fat to cope with the current without a large voltage drop in the cable to the invertor.

  • @GreenHornCountryClub

    @GreenHornCountryClub

    Жыл бұрын

    @@brianwithers162 thanks bud! Really appreciate the message, that’s some seriously good info. I’ve used 35mm thick cable to supply power from my batteries to my busbars, then 16mm thick cable from my busbars to my inverter. Hopefully that should be enough! Thanks again 👍🏼

  • @willpolr
    @willpolr Жыл бұрын

    Hey man sorry I think this is 5 questions in 24 hours! Is radial basically the same as parallel? And if you were only wanting one 230v socket, do you still need to come out of the inverter via a little consumer unit? Have been exclusively 12v for 3 years other than hair clippers and I just plug them straight into my inverter. I fancy something more permanent in the new van.

  • @GreenHornCountryClub

    @GreenHornCountryClub

    Жыл бұрын

    No trouble at all man! Happy to help where I can. I guess a radial circuit is similar to parallel whereby if one socket fails, the rest will still work, but how the electricity current flows around the circuit is much different in AC circuits compared to DC. If your looking to just have one plug socket, it might be easier just to get a wee single extension cord and run it out the back of the inverter

  • @willpolr

    @willpolr

    Жыл бұрын

    @@GreenHornCountryClub yeah that’s what I was thinking mate. Bodge it! One extension with the socket cut off the end and wired in to a 230v socket. In my head it’ll work 🤣

  • @db-bv5rs
    @db-bv5rs Жыл бұрын

    what was the point in using 2.5 cable when you could’ve used 1.5

  • @GreenHornCountryClub

    @GreenHornCountryClub

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment mate! To be honest I wanted to use as thick as I could get away with, so 2.5 was perfect and it was what was most readily available to purchase online too.