7. Fitting a 3kW inverter to our Elddis CV20 campervan with auto changeover (see also safety update)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- I install an inverter to allow use of mains appliances when off-grid. The inverter is a 3000W / 6000W Peak pure sine wave to ensure maximum compatibility.
Please see update video in addition to this video following some changes:
11. Campervan Electrics - Inverter Wiring - 12V Cabling and Fuse Upgrade - Electrical Safety
• 11. Campervan Electric...
I've also set it up so when the inverter is switched on it auto-changes over using a relay and it uses the existing sockets in the campervan powering the microwave, electric hob plate and of course the plug in coffee maker!
This is part of a series of videos around my Lithium battery installation which covers each stage and component. I'd recommend watching the full series and the final video to get the most benefit before you embark on this type of project.
When working with electrics, please ensure you're confident in what you're doing and switch the power off before making any changes, make sure connections are secure and appropriate size fuses or breakers are used to protect your van and equipment. Be particularly careful when working with or around mains electric also. An electrician should be able to assist.
If you decide to do this yourself, this video is just a guide on how I have gone about it to suit my specific purposes and may not be the best way of going about it. Any mods you undertake you need to personally assess the risk before going ahead and whether it's needed or right for you.
Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter 3000W DC 12V to AC 240V converter with Remote Dual AC Outlets & LED display GIANDEL
You can find this on the LeisureBit Amazon Shop in the Campervan Electrical & Electronics list:
www.amazon.co....
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Finder, 230V ac Coil Non-Latching Relay DPDT, 16A Switching Current Plug In, 2 Pole, 62.32.8.230.0040.
RS Stock No.: 292-8427
Mfr. Part No.: 62.32.8.230.0040
uk.rs-online.com
Search for: 292-8427
Wizard in the Wild:
/ wizardinthewild
Everything I purchased is a personal purchase and not sponsored in any way.
If you decide to do this yourself, this video is just a guide on how I have gone about it to suit my specific purposes and may not be the best way of going about it. Any mods you undertake you need to personally assess the risk before going ahead and whether it’s needed or right for you.
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Very nicely explained David. Your attention to detail is excellent. I never went down the route of using existing sockets with the Relay. I must admit that at the time it was a step to far for me and didn’t want to get involved with the main electrics. Now you have explained it I wish I had done the same. Having said that the two sockets I put in that are inverter fed work well for us so I don’t think I will change it now. Hindsight eh😂! Not watched you last lithium vlog yet but will go back to it. Looking forward to see the next one. Brilliant job 🙏👏👏🚐🧙♂️
Thanks Graham, I was looking for an ‘easy’ solution to use the existing sockets hence coming up with that one. Whatever works for you is the right thing always and it’s great to see the off grid use you’re getting and the additional things the inverter allows you to do - all the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit Yeah. We are so pleased with our Lithium and inverter setup. Having just completed 6 off grid nights and not having to be miserly with electric and a poor solar time of the year was Brilliant. I know it’s not for everybody but I think it’s easy to be critical without knowing the details of what it gives you. Keep up the excellent vlogs.
Thanks Graham - really appreciate the comment and encouragement - looking forward to getting the benefit from it, a couple of little tidy up jobs and then I think it should be good - thanks again, all the best, David 👍
Very nicely explained
Thank you - really appreciate the comment and support, all the best, David 👍
Keep up the good work
Thank you. Really appreciate the comment and support, all the best, David 👍
Thank you for a lovely clear explanation in your series of videos and good to see the safety aspects very well highlighted. I would consider myself a competent DIY electrician who is aware of current (no pun intended!) regulations and requirements, but I am not formally qualified. With this type of installation, is there a requirement to carry out a formal "acceptance test'" or sign off, similar to an EICR on a building electrical installation, and should there be a regular (annual) check carried out, maybe as part of a habitation check, to ensure that the safety aspects are still functional and have have not been compromised. In particular regarding your comments about loose connections, there is a requirement on a building consumer unit for connections to be tightened to specific torques, and therefore with this type of installation which will be running high DC currents I assume this is an area which should deserve some special attention.
Hi David, very sound advice and you are absolutely right - safety is paramount and the regulations are essentially documented common sense approaches to making sure things are safe. Regular checks of things such as contacts to make sure nothing has worked loose also, especially in a moving vehicle which is subject to vibrations which can cause things to come loose more than in a fixed installation - a torque screwdriver or spanner is very handy to make sure correctly tightened as you say. I thought the RCD was an essential item which I am always surprised inverters don’t come with installed and certainly will regularly test for peace of mind. Appreciate your comment - all the best, David 👍
Interesting video David, just how we would like ours. Think it's much better when you can use the vans existing sockets same as when on ehu.
Thank you - keeps it nice and simple once you’ve done it then it’s just like you were on ehu - appreciate the comment and support, All the best, David 👍
Hi there… do you have an up to date link for the relay and base please? I used the one you’ve posted but seems to be out of date. Many thanks! Glen & Donna
Let me check and see via the part number…
@@LeisureBit Got one on order now mate… not needed really as built into my renogy inverter. Doh!
Hi what single RCD switch did you use on your inverter
I used a Merlin Multi 9 one which I had handy - seems to do the trick - appreciate on this type of inverter they don’t work in all scenarios but better than not having one as the principal of leakage applies all the same.
All the best, David 👍
Where is video no.6 about the lithium installation, really enjoying these but it jumps from video 5 to 7
Sorry about that - I thought I had sorted it - hopefully this link will work;
th-cam.com/video/K8Q6UrHK7qs/w-d-xo.html
@@LeisureBit many thanks
The actual inverter fitting is over 8 minutes in! 🤦♂️
Hello David, I really appreciate the video and all the information you have provided. I've followed the video and looked at the schematics and it's missing the relay box wiring. Is there a wiring diagram for the relay box and how to set it up? Thanks, Deborah
Hi Deborah, Let me check as I think I did the relay box wiring in another video.
“Campervan Mains & Inverter Auto-Changeover …” hopefully that one will help (sorry I can’t post the link to it as the message seems to disappear if i do)
Hope that helps, all the best, David 👍
Hi
This might help you I use same relay but i have mains connected to A B and the inverter on the terminals where you have you mains on your schematic this then works like mains on relay live
Mains off inverter becomes the feed this should then stop the relay chatter when inverter shut down hope this gives you an idea how i done it i have no chatter on relay
Thank you - gets rid of the capacitance discharge issue that way doesn’t it - my logic for doing it the way I’ve done it was with the relay not energised then it was as normal wiring - the energising flipped it to inverter and also then drained down any capacitive power still in the inverter circuit.
However you have a really good point and not sure what real advantage the way I’ve done it gives beyond if the relay coil fails it works as normal but in reality it shouldn’t fail and easy enough to re-wire if it did.
Appreciate the comment and thoughts - have a great day, David 👍
Hi David. Would you be able to tell me which enclosure you used for the relay. Thanks.
Hi Richard, it’s a 120x120x90mm abs enclosure with transparent lid (if you Google you should find them around including eBay) - hope that helps, all the best, David 👍
Hi your work is very tidy,the only thing,your caravan etc will not earth an inverter as a generator you will have to run an earth out side and knock a steel pin in to the ground attached to an earth wire connect to your inverter or generator.
That’s right if you wanted to ensure an Earth connection. It’s currently earthed to the vehicle chassis - must check if it’s TNE on the inverter. Thanks for the comment, all the best, David 👍
Excellent series of videos. Could you tell me where you bought the enclosure for the relay? I have enclosures but mine look a lot larger than the one in your video. Thanks and keep the videos coming, very useful.
Thank you - appreciate the comment - the box which I housed the relay I got off eBay for about £8 - if you search for “Waterproof ABS Clear Cover Electronic Project Box Enclosure Case Junction” and it was the 120x120x90mm size which seemed to be about right - hope that helps - all the best, David 👍
Many thanks David, appreciate it.
13A fuse in “yellow” plug?
Assuming the plug from the inverter with the yellow cable? If so, it’s currently got a 10A in until I update the additional cable on the negative then I will update to a 13A. Thanks for the comment, all the best, David 👍
Hi david , what happens when the shore power is connected and someone turns on the inverter?? Does the inverter switch the relay and isolate the 240 shore input so they dont work at the same time??
Hi, if the shore power is connected and the inverter is switched on it switches over the sockets to the inverter. It’s physically isolated then from the shore power (via the relay) - it’s very handy in the winter if you are on a lower power hookup and have the heating on as you can pop the inverter on to make a brew without tripping the site supply.
Basically though they don’t work at the same time on the same circuit as it disconnects the shore power when inverter is switched on to the circuit. (I used in the sockets circuit rather than charger, heater, etc)
Hope that makes sense, All the best, David 👍
Cheers thats what i wanted to know so i cant damage anything or anyone else if we camping and have inverter on inside and lets say someone on the outside plugs in a generator or shore power to my van with out me knowing ..
This is exactly what i was looking for and it can handle the 3kw continuous inverters running threw it?? Great work m8 cheers
@farcough1234 the relay I used is 16A so can handle that which is the maximum hookup rating - I would have normally put a slightly larger one in but that one covers the peak load for us.
Have watched with great interest as I'm currently installing a similar setup in my Adra Coral. Great and clear videos. Only one question, where did you get the box for the relay as I haven't been cable to find one that the relay will fit into ?
Hi Paul, I got the relay from RS and the box off eBay - I think the info in the video description has the links in (if I put a link it the reply it has a habit of disappearing due to anti spam stuff) shout up if you can’t find and I will find alternative way of sharing the info, thank you, all the best, David 👍
Many thanks David, have managed to find the box ob EBsy. Now on order.
@@paulcarrick5523 great, pleased you found it. Game changing the relay I found as saves a load of faff and everything just works. Good luck with the install - all the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBitThanks David? keep up the good work 👍
Hi David, just converting to lithium solar and 3000w inverter. Please can you recommend an inverter rcd such as the one you have used?
Good morning - let me check the one I used when I get home from work and will confirm - they aren’t perfect in the van setup but I believe better than not having one and don’t cost a fortune either - the case was from Screwfix and under a fiver for ref.
All the best , David 👍
@@LeisureBit Hi David - did you ever get the chance to check the rcd you used? I would be keen to know too.
Hi David did you do a part 2 on the blind spot system .?
Good Morning - I haven’t yet but it’s on the to do - just need to finish a few bits off - if it helps it’s been working well - I had one issue where the passenger side was overly detecting but washed the muck off the back of the van and that sorted it so must have been something in the muck causing it to detect - other than that it’s been great - worth putting a switch to turn it off in line with it just in case ever an issue like they have on cars etc. hope that helps - hopefully have the video done in a few weeks time - sorry it’s taken so long keep getting side tracked - all the best, David 👍
Them trip fuses dont cope with surge well without going sill big - better to use a maxi fuse of a lower rating
Thanks Trev, looking to change them over to Maxi Fuse and just put a rotary isolator switch for turning the power off/isolation as required. Appreciate the feedback, thank you - all the best, David 👍
*Those trip fuses! "Sill big"? Dont know im english!
Good video but bit to much waffle
Thank you and thanks for the feedback (i think!)