Mains EHU to Inverter Power Auto Switch Install - VanTech Quickie (ish)
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- Опубликовано: 27 окт 2024
- I wanted to primarily power the vans electrical sockets via our 2KW inverter, but then wanted to use the same sockets on electric hookup when possible. So that meant finding a easy way, and an automatic way, to switch between 2 power sources to the vans internal mains wiring.
So in this video I'll show you what I used and how I wired it up in our motorhome.
Mains cable used - amzn.to/2wOPlCR
Cable pulling Rods - amzn.to/3cwyYtY
Mains Power Auto Switch - amzn.to/2ynHBYP
2KW Inverter with remote switch - amzn.to/34Mbv57
3 Pin Plug - amzn.to/2xw3k0R
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So in this video I'll show you what I used and how I wired it up in our motorhome.
Mains cable used - amzn.to/2wOPlCR
Cable pulling Rods - amzn.to/3cwyYtY
Mains Power Auto Switch - amzn.to/2ynHBYP
2KW Inverter with remote switch - amzn.to/34Mbv57
3 Pin Plug - amzn.to/2xw3k0R
You are very good at explaining things this is a great system .
Just ordered one from your link, I had been thinking of wiring a manual changeover switch but this looks ideal thanks for the info 👍🏻
Thank you John for an easy to understand explanation, I’ve watched a few vlogs and was totally baffled until I watched this 😀👍👍👍
Nice job John, thank you sir! Not quite ready for that step myself, inverter arrived today so may be checking that out tomorrow, weather and SWMBO willing... 👍🏻 👀 😉
For the time being, the plan is to have a single socket fed by the inverter in the kitchen area (coffee machine & kettle with an extension to her ladyship’s hairy warm airy thing!) and use the remote switching for on off, when EHU is not available... 🤷🏼♂️
Should be fun testing it all out though, quite looking forward to it and sod the warranty on the Coachman... 😳 🤪
Thanks again, stay safe, cheers for now, Rog... 👍🏻 😉 🐍
Great video. Another product you are using which I know I can’t live without. Very simple but very clever technology. Thanks for posting.
Top job John and Mandy....stay safe....thanks for sharing
I was looking for the exact thing while building my van never knew such a item existed! I had to make my own using a 240v relay does the same thing. This would have saved me the hassle!
A complicated system made simple. Thanks John
Hi John, Really well explained you really are making it easier for me to understand Mootrhome electrics.
Nice one John. I was struggling in this section on how to have hook up power and inverter working together. At the mo I have all the plugs working only when I'm hooked to power and one plug with usb sockets that I installed directly to the inverter when i'm off grid. Thanks for this. I will be asking questions sometime soon :)
Great stuff you two. Trying to sours a switching unit being in NZ hard to get stuff out of Europe rt now. Seen one here for about 120 pounds your money. Though you video was very good and explained it very well. These short instuctnal videos are so helpfull. Good luck with the lockdown. Cheers Bob
Hi John and Mandy
Lockdown in Spain in our cave house at the moment love your vids been watching them for months. Refreshing to see a couple who’s content is all about there rapport together and not pimping their wife out with a boob or arse shot on a thumbnail! Oh! Hope I haven’t given you an idea with Mandy on next video... 😂
Pete and Jules
Great vlog John I’ve been looking forward to this one as it’s something I’m thinking about on my van, if that’s a 40amp rcd / mcb seems a tad high ? Looks a good unit though be interesting to see how it goes 👍👍 glad to see your all keeping safe and your shoulder seems better too 👍👍
Awesome video, got really excited then found out you can't buy it anymore :(
Thanks John, I’ve been looking at switches but like the price of your much more !!!!
Mandy seemed to enjoy the Jiggery Pokery☺
Excellent that's my project for next week . ***** Thank you both *****
Handy to know and well presented, useful vid stay safe.
Nicely done, John! Quick, easy and affordable fix.. Love it! 👌 🤙
Another great video John, it's a great idea. What are you going to do with the motorhome battery charger when the inverter is on?
I've pulled the fuse on that as we have enough solar to give us a good charge even on a rainy day. 👍🏻
Excellent informative video as always thank you!
Brilliant John just what I need, was going to install a switch, to change between invertor/hookup and Sargent controller but think this would be much better, would save having to switch over each time, love all the videos mate keep them coming, Brian
I'm not sure about this being better than a simple manual switch, as you mention, because electronic gadgets invariably fail at some point, and so would worry me constantly. I usually like automatic devices, my favourite has always been the automatic gearbox for example, but here I think it's better to just have a switch, that you use if you hook up, really easy and completely reliable. Alan, in Norfolk.
alan may inclined to agree. I have to go into the garage to get the hook up cable anyway so may as well save £50 and flick a switch.
Hi very new to your channel great Vid, good selection of content👍
Ive been waiting for this one Great concise explanation Just ordered one Thank you. Say Safe
I think I understand. Does your external hook up cable go into the same consumer unit you’re showing in this video @6:06 and then you use a separate point on that unit to run off to 3 pin plugs? Or is that circuit break a second circuit breaker?
Sorry if that doesn’t make sense. My head is fried from schematics and the lark
This is brilliant thanks John and Mandy for the detailed video. Super cool!
I like this video, but could you do a wiring diagram please? I have a Hymer b544 and I’m going to do it myself but just want some assurance. I wilk be taking out the charger 20A fuse every time aswell.
Please watch my new video out today 👍🏻
Interesting video! I’m a bit confuse about the charger fuse? Do you have to remove charger fuse every time you want to use inverter? And why is that?
That’s explained fully in the video 👍🏻
Hi, just was wondering what would happen if the inverter was kept on when you turn on the hook up power? What would happen 🤔.
Great video and thank you for making these videos 👍🏻
Nothing would happen as the priority is the hookup power, so the power would stay on to the inverter but appliances would be powered by hookup 👍🏻
Useful info 👍🏼
Many thanks for this. It is what we shall be doing in our Nexxo T740.On a slighty different point; do you know what value of fuse is on the 12V power rails, the ones that you can plug in those moveable Dometic led lamps & USB adapter/charger?
As the USB is 2A max and the lights are LED I'd say the fuse should be 2A Max
Thanks John, another great video. Do you know if the Kreiger inverter centre tapped, or neutral earth bonded? My understanding is that if the 230V output of a centre tapped output is put through an RCD that the RCD may not protect users against electric shock. I couldn't see any details on the link from the video, but maybe the informations in the manual.
Tried & tested my setup with shorting and surging and the breaker trips fine.
John,
It sounds like Mandy *WANTS* to be "the slave"! 😉😉
Jay Leigh
Wish you did this vid 3 weeks earlier. Installed a manual changeover switch as wasn’t aware these auto ones were about. Great insight. Time for an upgrade🙄 Question though, doesn’t your 230v fridge kill the battery on inverter I can only use mine in hook up? That’s the danger of these switches is you sometimes forget you left your fridge on 230v via inverter
The fridge on 230v uses 10A, but not full time, it switches on & off like domestic fridge. We generate around 1.5Kwh of solar a day so we can easily cover the fridge power & more 👍🏼
Your not in Devon are you, just seen an identical van parked up
You could add another relay to drop out the charger when the inverter source is live, or work the other way and have the charger relay on only when the EHU is live. Saves you remembering to pull the fuse on the mains charger..
I'm very surprised, being that you like your BMV-712 monitor, that you never went for the Victron Energy Multiplus system, automatic changeover/inverter/battery charger in one nice little neat unit. Quite costly as I'm sure you're aware but we're extremely pleased with ours! Thanks for the videos, keep them coming! Charlie & Tash @weboughtavan
That's easy, I buy the best for the job at prices that I think are justified, so I think only the victron solar controller and BMV are worthy of their prices, the rest of Victrons gear is WAAAAYYYYY overpriced and over complicated. I have a really great rule I follow - K I S S, Keep It Simple Stupid - so everything you do can be maintained and fixed without too much faff or money. 👍🏻
Very good video easy understood thanks in keep safe
Good explaination 💙❤️👍
hi John, don't know if you still monitor old videos?? anyway, do you know where I could find the power switch you used in this, I have tried everywhere even the manufacturer's website but it doesn't look as if it's still in production? even if you could recommend something like it ( I've seen what looks like Chinese manufactured ones but they don't look as well made as the one you used here? thanks, Alex
With feeding the cable through the floor of the van, does that mean there is a space under the whole floor of the van, then another floor under the space. This space to be used for cables as you have just demonstrated?
That's something I am going to explore in time, I think there is a fair bit of heating ducts under there but not much else.
Hi John, could I go from the inverter to the plug outside where the mains comes in? Obviously turning the mains charger off first. Thanks Terry
Yes, you can use the hookup cable if you want to connect that way. 👍🏼
Hi John and Mandy. Hope you are both happy, safe and well. Love to watch your videos: keep them coming please.
On a previous video I queried why not just interrupt the hook up supply cable with the H-Tronic unit. John you said that you did not want to do it that way. Why did you change your mind having found the socket cables?
Also, what are the benefits of the H-Tronic unit over a double pole change over relay like this RS one: 292-8427? T
he relay coil could be energised by the hook up supply and disconnect the normally closed inverter feed and connect the hook up to the van mains circuit.
All the best
Richard
After realising that it was simpler to just switch over the full van and disable the onboard battery charger I then just wired it in this way. I chose this as it was well reviewed by others. 👍🏻
Does that mean you are relying on solar to charge the leisure batteries when hooked up for long periods. I do not understand why you have disabled the on board charger.
Yes, we generate around 1.5Kwh on solar each day, so we’re never actually going to need to plug-in. So there’s no reason to use a mains charger at all unless we can’t generate any solar.
Great video as always 😍😎👍🏻
Thanks for the video I'm looking at doing the same so you have just provided me with the solution thank you.
One question how do I identify which fuse to pull so it doesn't try and charge the leisure battery?
There isn't one marked charger but there is a 20 amp one marked van battery.
Your van manual should tell you the fuse for the built-in charger 👍🏼
Thanks for your time and effort. What would happen if you left the 20 amp fuse in ?
Not sure which fuse you are referring to? If it's the 240v breaker then it should be 10amp breaker at 240v. If it's for your inverter then that will all be down to the inverter size and the cables you use.
I've just fitted solar and inverter and was just thinking of something like this great idea rather than a switch
HI John and Mandy.
Quick Q. How do you, when you are on inverter, isolate your fridge switching to mains thus draining your battery
I’ve covered this is a reply here to another person in the comments 👍🏼
Excellent video! I can't find the MPC 1000 anywhere for sale. Any replacement for that?
Thanks John another Informative watch.
Nice vid 👌 one question have you changed the fuse in the plug to match the inverter or left it 13A?
Good question, The fuse it rated to the inverter, so it was changed to a 10A fuse.
Nice video John .i am after sum Advice just put sum solar panels on the new van roof . Do I put the Isolation switch on the Wires that come of the sola panel. Be for the it gos it to the mppt.up after the mppt on the out coming wires going to the battery?because wen I went in the van this morning all the lights were on .so on solar side battery side? Help
I’d install the isolator switch on the + wire from solar panel to solar controller. Then make sure you also install a fuse from the solar controller to your battery, I have my solar controller wired to my fuse box so I can easily fuse it.
Thank you so much. I was going to put the Switch after.so thank you .keep up with the good video I watch you 3 all the time .keep save.👍
Good video thank you
Hi just watched your vid just wot i need looked for one having trouble finding it were can i get one in uk please 👍👍
Great video, very informative. 🙂 Mark
Hi john and Mandy quick question
I’m just about to fit the Victron BMV-712
Do I need to connect every negative to it (batter to battery,solar etc) or just my battery negative I can’t seem to find the information many thanks and keep the good videos going
I’m making a video on that soon, all negs on the load side to chargers and devices and then neg on battery side goes to battery 👍🏼
Didn’t realise it was that simple. However on that system would you have to unplug your 230v mains battery charger if running off an inverter as it would try and charge the battery using the self same battery?
That’s what I covered in the video 👍🏼
Gadget John on tour oh sorry may have missed that with distractions. Ill watch again ta
Goo morning both can you tell me please what size inverter you use sorry just seen your other video about the inverter thanks for your great videos please keep up the good work
It’s a 2kw inverter, it’s linked in the comments & video description so you can find out all about it 👍🏼
A very well explained process thank you. The link to the inverter goes through to a 1500W one with European output sockets. May I ask how you get the 230v output from the inverter to the switch? Do you need to buy a European three pin plug and wire this up to a piece of mains cable to the switch slave input? Thank you, Simon
Yes, if you buy the EU version you’d wire an eu plug where I’ve wired the UK plug. Otherwise you could wait to until they have UK plug versions in stock. 👍🏼
@@johnmandy Thanks for the quick reply. I'll wait I think, hopefully when they do the link will take me to a UK version.
High John will you still switch your inverter on and off to save battery life. Mike.
Yes, the inverter is only powered on when we need it, right now on sunny days it’s on to give mains power to the fridge so we reduce our lpg usage 👍🏼
Hi John. Great video and useful gadget. However, is there an issue with the van electronics trying to charge the leasure battery when on inverter power? I guess during sunny periods the solar charging will be competing with the on board charger reducing any losses, but in the dark? All the best. Dave
As I said in the video, I have disabled the on board battery charger, I can enable it once we are on ehu, but we rarely need that as we get all our power from solar 👍🏼
@@johnmandy 👍🤭 missed that bit!
Thanks for the video, looks like a great and simple solution! One question, how doesn’t it try and charge the batteries from the inverter as if you were on hook up? Thanks
Watch the video and I fully explain this.
I was late for the party on this one :-)
Somewhere I saw an auto change switch that had two outlets. One for items for use on EHU only and the other for items that could be EHU or inverter fed.
So presuambly EHU only is for the battery charger, Truma leccy heater, and Fridge mains and your sockets can be on the optional set??
It has an output to the vans internal consumer unit with all things standard, life heating, fridge & charger all connected still, then it has 2 inputs with input 1 being the priority and I’ve connected the EHU socket to this and input 2 is the inverter. It’s all explained in the video in detail 👍🏻
That looks useful 😎
John, is it possible to use a solar panel originally designed to go on a house roof, on a Motorhome. I have a victron smartsolar mppt100/30, currently with a 100w panel
Yes they work fine 👍🏼
John, (hi Mandy & Cooper)
If your running 230v via inverter and then connect to an external power supply without switching off the inverter, will it detect that your on mains and switch out the inverter? Thanks.
Yes, that’s exactly how it works 👍🏼
Hi John, are you going to make provision for the occasion around Europe that has reverse polarity hookup ?
That's easy, we have a hookup cable adaptor for that 👍🏻
Hi John great video, questions, I have two 100ah batteries coupled to a 120w solar. Rolling around in my shed I have a 300/600w inverter, could this along with the auto switch over run my fridge, which is a dometic AES which runs at 135w on ehu and 130w at 12v (according to the plate in the fridge) Thanks.
My fridge uses roughly the same, so that inverter should work fine 👍🏼
Hi John
Have you given thought to install a continuous shower in your new motorhome
Love your informative videos
Thanks, our new van has a shower, check out the van tour 👍🏼
Is it possible to install technical equipment such as power auto switch between inlet and inlet protection? Shouldn't intake protection be the first unit in the car?
If you wire it as I show in my video that’s good 👍🏼
Hi John and Mandy - Just what I'm needing so I've ordered one 😊 One point - I have my battery charger and Dometic fridge transformer on one circuit from my EHU fuse box and all the sockets in the van off a second circuit - so I suppose it would ok to have the auto changeover box in between the fuse box and the circuit with the sockets rather than have the inverter powering up the entire fuse box ? All the best. Dave
How do you stop the fridge selecting mains power and operateing from the inverter.
Do yoh have to manually select the fridge operations.
That's all explained in the video 👍🏻
@@johnmandy If it is I can't find it either. You show the fridge on EHU after turning the Inverter off but not before that. On Inverter does the Fridge Auto to Gas or 'Mains'?
Hi John & Mandy, I hope you are both safe and healthy.
John this is a question for you, we have a Swift Bessacarr 599 which we bought new in September. I need some advice she has a 100w solar panel with a 100amp lead acid battery which I have changed to 2 100amp lithium batteries, I know you have had issues, but I have room for 2 possibly 3 150w solar panels, should I wire the solar panels in series or parallel, I wont be using the 100w panel, if you advice series. What MPPT should I use, I was looking at the victron 75 30 but can't find one at the moment. I could buy the 100 50 or a 100 30 so which one baring in mind I have two 100amp lithium batteries.
Fit as much solar as you can, use the existing 100w panel and wire all in series. 100/50 is good as it’ll give you room to upgrade in the future.
Cheers John thankyou for your advice, Dave.
@@johnmandy Hi John, ordered another two 150w solar panels today, that's three in total giving me 450w, also ordered the MPPT controller 100 50. Now then which Victron Smart Battery monitor to go for there are three listed, thanks in advance Dave.
@@johnmandy Hi John, just to let you know, I have ordered another 2 x 150w solar panels, and a Victron 100 50 controller + the Victron 712 battery monitor, also a Victron dongle. So that's it just waiting to get my Motorhome out of storage. This Lockdown is very trying for all of us, stay safe and well both of you, Dave.
Electrikery for the everyday human great video well explain 👍🚐👍
Hi John, Mandy & Cooper. I'm hoping to install on of these in my camper I'm currently converting, and will be adding a mains charger to top up the batteries while on hookup.My question is am I right to say that I will have to manually switch off the charger when in slave mode?
Cheers Antonio
It’s best to ask John questions on our main Instagram account. @johnandmandyuk
hi John, what is the second white lead going into the RCD?
It’s all fully explained in the video 👍🏼
Great video. Just a quick question, you’ve got one white cable leaving your RCD enclosure marked up as MCB all circuits. So what did you actually power out of there please?
I’ve used what was already installed in my van. 👍🏼
John & Mandy on Tour thank you.
Hi do you have to manually switch off the inverter ??
Hi John what is the current rating of this please ? as I couldn’t see it on the amazon link
It’s going to be 16A as that’s the Max EHU amp
That’s what I would have hoped for also, I was just initially surprised the connections where mounted on a pcb I assume the trace must be quite large on the rear
Hi John and Mandy. Firstly thank you for your videos my 670 has never been the same. One question re the changeover, how do you keep the engine battery charged if you have pulled the fuse to stop it working when on hu
Thanks
Neil
The engine battery is charged when the engine runs 👍🏼 that then charges the leisure battery. My solar charges both so I’m not normally going to need hookup to charge the batteries 😎
@@johnmandy my solar just goes to the controller then to the leisure batteries how do i connect them to the starter battery as well ?
@@johnmandy would I need a split charge relay between the leisure and the starter battery ?
That’s another tech solution, once the leisure batteries reach float you can use a bit of kit to divert solar power to the start battery. In our new van that’s built in, but you can make up your own version if you are good with electronics 👍🏼
tour errr no I like plug and play items lol
hi John quick question I have a victron 15/75 Bluetooth is this controller OK for 2x100w solar panels connected to 2 x 95ah batteries Arif
Check the amp rating of your solar, then you’ll know if the 15 amp rating is ok for the solar controller 👍🏼
Hi John, what batteries are you now using? On your site the our motorhome page points at one battery but the lithium page points to a different battery that you replaced the lithiums with . I appreciate you now have a new van. I am considering a Sterling B2B and a new larger battery as currently only have 72Ah
I’m using AGM batteries 👍🏼
@@johnmandy cool thank you
Hi John, I am on converting my van to a camper and I was wondering if you could recommend a 240v hook up fuse box and the wires needed as a set maybe, thanks Mike
If you’re not on sites much then get a hookup & breaker with sockets all in one 👍🏼
@@johnmandy OK thanks I will get looking, I am using it for work so I will be able to just hook up there I do eventually I want a battery bank and solar panel system
Hi John, in the process of putting 300 ahc lithium batteries in my Autosleepr Burford, I have fitted a victron 30 watt B to B charger and a victron mains charger,130w solar and mppt controler,I see the inverter you fitted is not a pure sine inverter ,as its a Modified Sine Wave inverter will this be safe to use on computers and tv's .
Great videos have also fitted the Diesel heater you recommended , cant wait to retire ( will be this year ) to get out and start Traveling .
If you’re putting in 300ah of lithium you’d need to double all your charger to 60a, watch my latest advanced wiring video for up to date info 👍🏻
@@johnmandy Thanks why will I need to double up to 60amp ,I assume you mean on the B2B...
Please understand that you’re going about this the wrong way, you should have a battery bank you can easily recharge, not a huge battery bank that you’ll never recharge with 130w of solar.
As I said, if you watch my latest advanced 12v wiring video you’ll get all the info you’ll need
@@johnmandy thank John Yes I see what you mean ,the plan was to see how it goes and probably fit more solar and yes maybe another b2b.
I have watched all your video about 12v system ,sorry for being a pain.😃😃
I'm in the middle of adding all the cabling in my van conversion for the sockets, so does this mean I can just install 240v cable for all the sockets then add in the Power Auto Switch instead of having 2 different cables (12v & 240v) around the van?
No, this is purely to use 2 different 230v electric sources. This is nothing to do with 12v.
will mail hook up charge batterys? thanks glenn
Hi John great video and well explained, this also got me thinking about something. I have a 1500 pure sin wave inverter already fitted with two batteries and a 150 solar panel. To save on gas for the fridge also use the microwave when wild camping would it work if I used a cable plugged in to my inverter and then plugged it in to the outside 230 input. Could yo foresee any problems with that it sounds ok I guess.
That’s ok as long as you turn off the hookup battery charger 👍🏼
Gadget John on tour
Didn’t go to plan John.
Connected from my inverter to the outside socket, works ok with the charger on turn the charger off and it alarms and goes to gas.
Back to the drawing board I’m afraid.
Any suggestions.
or does simply plugging in the EHU automaticaly do the switch over
Would it be a good idea to have my hookup under my bonnet
John, was it just me or does the auto switch over emit a buzzing noise? If so, is all the time, like yours, I'd have to place it under the bed and I don't want it buzzing away all night - ahem 😂
No buzzing at all. It’s a relay. 👍🏼
@@johnmandy yeah, just sounded like it had a bit of mains hum on it in your video
That’s probably interference from the mains picked up by the mic. 🤷🏼♂️
Hi Thanks for the informative videos
Is there somewhere we can make a donation as I’ve bought a couple of items you have recommended but didn’t click on your links and just seen that this would have generated you some income so feel bad and want to make amends
Secondly I hate pulling fuses out and if I wanted to run the inverter for a few minutes to run microwave or similar whilst stopped and the leisure battery chargers kicked in would this cause a problem if I was using a direct feed from the inverter to the EHU input on the Motorhome?
That wouldn’t be an issue for short usage, the battery would drain faster as the 240v would try and charge the 12v whilst using your microwave. There’s a link in the video description “Thanks” where you can send a PayPal donation 👍🏻
@@johnmandy Thanks I’m going to look to see if I can put a switch into the leisure battery chargers to isolate when on inverter to avoid the annoying location of the fuses Donation sent.
Hi John....great video....I'm sure this has been asked before can you run a microwave or induction hob off your inverter ?? Just a little idea for you in regards to you not having to pull the fuse on your battery charger when on inverter power. Why don't you use the second socket of your inverter to power a contactor to automatically switch off the battery charger? Thanks again !!!
Ours is a 2kw inverter so you could run anything up to that, however, induction cooking would deplete the batteries very fast. It’s been discussed in many VanTech Tuesday videos.
As for extra switching, I don’t want the mess, I’m 99% off grid and solar gives me plenty of power. 👍🏼
It looks like a handy device. Is there a way to trigger the inverter to switch off and on as required?
Not from this device, it just switches between the 2 power sources. The inverter has a remote switch though 👍🏼
@@johnmandy Are inverters quite low-draw when idle or do you keep it switched off most the time anyway?
nice one John, i saved a couple of quid on ebay. Doug.
Using the links in my videos helps support our Chanel, we get around 0.5% of the price you pay and this helps us keep making these videos. So it’s a real shame you didn’t use our link ☹️
sorry about that John but i am not tech savvy, how does it work???
A.....MAZ....ING!!! There was me thinking of using the same system greg did but this is a lot easier to install. What's the maximum current it will take?
16A is the most you should put through any hookup, but given the plugs are 13A rated at most I would say 13A is the biggest you should put through this system 👍🏻
RUclips comments in the app are back at the bottom for me.