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Power supply to van overnight

dyson123

Member
Messages
81
Location
Central Scotland
Hi, about to put an immersion in the tank for heating up overnight and just wondered if anyone has come up with anything to stop themselves driving off with the plug still in the socket at their property?

I’ve done it a couple of times myself and would love to find a product that is designed to break itself in half under strain and can be simply put back together. A “drive away” power cable if you will.

Caravans, lorries and electric vehicles must experience the same issues surely?

Hope everyone understands what I’m on about ?

 
Just put something on the steering wheel to remind you , we have the socket on the drivers side of the van so can see it easily 

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Hi, about to put an immersion in the tank for heating up overnight and just wondered if anyone has come up with anything to stop themselves driving off with the plug still in the socket at their property?

I’ve done it a couple of times myself and would love to find a product that is designed to break itself in half under strain and can be simply put back together. A “drive away” power cable if you will.

Caravans, lorries and electric vehicles must experience the same issues surely?

Hope everyone understands what I’m on about ?
Just do a visual inspection on your vehicle before you get in. Check the tyre condition etc ,then you'll see the cable going into the van. 

 
Wrap the extension cable round the drivers mirror Then you can't get in without seeing that cable ? 
Pjj's suggestion is sound but if you really think there's a chance you'll still possibly forget, I'd go with Ched's idea.

If you still do drive off with it plugged into the van, I'd get checked out by your GP before you start trying to put your trousers on over your head. ?

 
Hi, about to put an immersion in the tank for heating up overnight and just wondered if anyone has come up with anything to stop themselves driving off with the plug still in the socket at their property?

I’ve done it a couple of times myself and would love to find a product that is designed to break itself in half under strain and can be simply put back together. A “drive away” power cable if you will.

Caravans, lorries and electric vehicles must experience the same issues surely?

Hope everyone understands what I’m on about ?
Put a 16amp male ceeform socket under the rear bumper, I would strongly suggest a small garage 2 way mini consumer unit needed fitted within the van as the current draw from an immersion coil, 

Also you'd need a quality cable of 2.5mm Cross section. Not a cheap caravan cable as caravans only consume 10a

I have a piece of fascia board I've sign written Remove cable from van before driving off in red text which fits over the steering wheel.

I would not recommend using a cheap extension lead as you'll melt it. 

Side note, coiled up powered up extension leads generate a resistive load and get toasty warm.

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I really dont understand how you can drive off with an extension cable plugged in first thing....?

I always unplug my batteries first thing in the morning then I start my van engine ,followed by switching on my pump/heater to recirculate,put my belt and pouch on then I'm good to go....?

 
I really dont understand how you can drive off with an extension cable plugged in first thing....?

I always unplug my batteries first thing in the morning then I start my van engine ,followed by switching on my pump/heater to recirculate,put my belt and pouch on then I'm good to go....?
There are some clusterfcuks in society 

 
Put a 16amp male ceeform socket under the rear bumper, I would strongly suggest a small garage 2 way mini consumer unit needed fitted within the van as the current draw from an immersion coil, 

Also you'd need a quality cable of 2.5mm Cross section. Not a cheap caravan cable as caravans only consume 10a

I have a piece of fascia board I've sign written Remove cable from van before driving off in red text which fits over the steering wheel.

I would not recommend using a cheap extension lead as you'll melt it. 

Side note, coiled up powered up extension leads generate a resistive load and get toasty warm.

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Sounds good, I’ll get my electrician friend to do all of this but just to get my head round it : 

16amp male socket on the van feeding a 2 way garage consumer unit within the van with a 15amp breaker for the battery charger etc and a 20amp breaker for the 3kw tank immersion heater?

A female 16amp socket on the outside of the house fed by a 6mm twin and earth cable straight from the consumer unit.

Does that sound about right or am I talking ******? (Electrician will be doing all of this but I just like to know myself ?)

 
I'd be very wary of using a 3kw immersion in the van. Especially if it's going into a plastic tank. I use a short 2kw immersion from Grasshopper Liesure and rightly or wrongly I believe 2kw is what most people use. It can be used plugged into a standard socket (I fitted an outdoor double socket in front of the garage) . Providing you use an extension cable rated 13 amp. I made my own as most shop bought extension cables are only rated 10 amp. I would advise that you put plenty of insulation around, over and especially under the tank. The underneath is the most important at this stage as it would be difficult to do after the tank is fixed in position.

 
I'd be very wary of using a 3kw immersion in the van. Especially if it's going into a plastic tank. I use a short 2kw immersion from Grasshopper Liesure and rightly or wrongly I believe 2kw is what most people use. It can be used plugged into a standard socket (I fitted an outdoor double socket in front of the garage) . Providing you use an extension cable rated 13 amp. I made my own as most shop bought extension cables are only rated 10 amp. I would advise that you put plenty of insulation around, over and especially under the tank. The underneath is the most important at this stage as it would be difficult to do after the tank is fixed in position.
I was going to go 2kw but read someone say 3kw would be better. I already have a double outside socket so would just need a decent extension cable if going with 2kw.

The tank has been bolted down in the van since April so was wondering how people insulated underneath the tank?

I was thinking of getting a sheet or two of 25mm rigid insulation board and cutting it into sections and glueing them to the tank. Anyone got any thoughts on that?

 
I was going to go 2kw but read someone say 3kw would be better. I already have a double outside socket so would just need a decent extension cable if going with 2kw.

The tank has been bolted down in the van since April so was wondering how people insulated underneath the tank?

I was thinking of getting a sheet or two of 25mm rigid insulation board and cutting it into sections and glueing them to the tank. Anyone got any thoughts on that?
I've been using a 2kw very successfully for quite a few years now. Can't fault it. I've put all the information on previous threads. If you use the search bar you should be able to find them. I use rubber matting under the tank, and bubble wrap and loft tank insulation quilt around it. Bubble wrap and 18 mm stiff rubber mat on top of the tank (650 flat Wyedale) as shelf for the side reel. 

 
There are some clusterfcuks in society 
Not long after we started we got a cold snap which meant I had to put a heater in the van overnight to stop everything freezing up. One morning I jumped in the van and off I went, before hearing a almighty crash! I had neglected to take the heater out. ? Managed to sheer the cable in two. Heater was fine, just had a shorter reach from then on ?

 
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