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Post by aimz198 on Oct 4, 2011 20:54:25 GMT 10
HI THERE!! IV RECENTLY BOUGHT MYSELF A VISCOUNT 86 MODLE CARAVAN TO REMODLE AN REDECORATE!! SUPER EXCITED!! THO I NEED SOM INFO ON THE POWER EXTENSION CORDS, IM WONDERING IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME TO FIND EITHER IN SOTRE OR ONLINE A CONVERTER CORD TO BE ABLE TO USE MY VAN AT HOME?? OR IS IT A MAKE UR OWN AT HOME KINDA DEAL WICH IV SEEN IN OTHER QUESTION SITE SOM PPL HAVE MADE ON THEIR OWN BUT ID MUCH RATHER SPEND THE MONEY ON SOMTHIN PROFESSIONALY MADE IF THEY ARE SOLD
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 4, 2011 21:07:26 GMT 10
oh that i know but they dont fit for at home wall power points, i need to be able to plug in at home aswell as in parks
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 4, 2011 21:17:33 GMT 10
no i dont tho thats a good idea ill take one in the morning an post!! ty!!
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Post by Franklin1 on Oct 4, 2011 21:26:18 GMT 10
Search ebay and the local internet for "Ampfibian".
You need a standard 15 amp lead to run from your van to the Ampfibian adaptor, and then the Ampfibian unit has a 10 amp lead out the other end to plug into your house outlet.
There are two models...
The RV-01 model is used when you already have an RCD unit fitted to your van. The RV-02 model is used when you DON'T already have an RCD unit fitted to your van.
Expect to pay more than $140 for the RV-01 unit, and more than $240 for the RV-02 unit.
Any Do-it-yourself versions are illegal.
cheers, Al.
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Post by ralphndi on Oct 4, 2011 21:56:17 GMT 10
Hi! aimz.
You need to make an adaptor lead about 600mm long with 10amp plug one end,other end 15amp socket, so you can use for home or wherever,carry with you.
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Post by Franklin1 on Oct 4, 2011 23:10:12 GMT 10
Look, we really need to be careful about what advice we give to people with regard to electricity.
Any 15 amp lead that has a plug cut off one end and a 10 amp plug substituted is NOT LEGAL.
There are really only two LEGAL options:
1. Get a qualified electrician to install a 15 amp power socket in the house/garage/shed, so that you can plug your standard 15 amp caravan lead into that 15 amp power point. The electrician will also make sure the wiring and the circuit breaker(s) on that circuit are compatible with a 15 amp power point.
or 2. Buy the Ampfibian appliance. It's the only one I'm aware of that is on the market that has the appropriate ELECTRICAL APPROVAL number. I have seen others sold on ebay that were put together by "qualified electricians" and promoted as a 'first quality item'. When I sent a message asking for the relevant Electrical Approval number, they didn't have it, because the device had never been submitted for approval. When I suggested they contact their nearest Electrical Approval office for advice, they replied they were discontinuing the sale of their products.
There are no second chances with electricity. Full stop.
cheers, Al.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 5, 2011 6:48:47 GMT 10
Hi Al
I just caught up with this thread and am perplexed. Many years ago I was able to buy an adapter plug at the local hardware and have used it ever since when I wanted a bit of power into the van (eg to charge the van battery before a trip). Are you saying this is now illega?. I'm sure there are a lot of caravanners out there who wouldn't be aware of this.
Ray
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Post by Rattles on Oct 5, 2011 7:41:36 GMT 10
Get a qualified Electrician to install a 15 amp power socket. Install in the Meter Box if this is close to the site that you park your caravan this will minimize cost and the outlet can be used for a multitude of uses as you can plug 10A devices into also. If the Meter box is inconvenient an External Waterproof outlet is the way to go. I have an External waterproof outlet and is used to Weld with an Electric Welder (15A) to using the 240v Whipper Sniper (10A). Rattles
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Post by Franklin1 on Oct 5, 2011 8:10:12 GMT 10
G'day Ray,
I'm not familiar with the adapter you are describing. I presume it is similar to the adapters that travellers can buy to use Aussie appliances overseas.
You must have bought it many years ago, because I haven't seen anything like that on the market.
Is it legal? Well, I can only presume that because you bought it from a hardware store then at that time it must have been an "approved electrical device". Whether it is still approved is something you would have to check with an electrician.
Many of us need a bit of electricity in our vans before taking off for a trip. Charging batteries, pre-cooling fridges, etc. There are a number of different ways of achieving this in the privacy of our own homes. Some are "legal", some aren't. Some are "low risk", some are downright dangerous. My main concern in this thread is that we should be seen to be a responsible forum and only giving public advice that agrees with the relevant electrical standards.
cheers, Al.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 5, 2011 8:56:49 GMT 10
Hi Franklin The adaptor is the same as ralphndi decribed and you used to be able to buy them ready-made.
I agree with you that we need to be careful on this forum that we don't set ourselves up to be experts on everything, especially with matters like this. It's just that I for one was ignorant of what you were saying. So thanks for the advice.
Ray
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 10:33:40 GMT 10
HI ALL THANX FOR ALL UR COMMENTS AN YES ILL NOT BE RIGGIN UP SOMTHIN ON MY OWN I WANT SOMTHIN PROFESSIONAL, AN IF THAT MEANS GETTIN A SPARKY IN THATS WHAT ILL DO ILL HAVE A LOOK AT THE Ampfibian, HAS ANYONE ELSE USED THIS B4???
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 10:41:57 GMT 10
franklin1 thank u for sayin that coz yes it is extreamly important to give the right advice wich is what lead me to ask here, thank u!
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 10:55:29 GMT 10
ok so im lookin at the ampfibian on ebay an seein 2 types could anyone help me understand the difference?? there is a AMP FIBIAN AMPFIBIAN CARAVAN 240V 15A-10A POWER LEAD and a AMP FIBIAN AMPFIBIAN CARAVAN 240V POWER LEAD RVO2 theres a $100 diff tho money is not a issue but there must me quite a diff for there to be such a price diff, any helpers??
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 10:59:30 GMT 10
an may i jus note, when i asked about converter cord, i say cord coz i have no idea what it is im lookin for, but all the safe advice from users is so appriciated!!
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 11:45:39 GMT 10
well i jus called a guy coz i serched the net for this product coz i dont know if i fully trust it off ebay an he has put me onto another guy who sells his product so ill be callin him to get further advice but he has said that id need to R2 for safty on a older caravan love this forum
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 12:04:29 GMT 10
IV JUS SPOKE TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER OF AMPFIBIAN AN THIS IS NOT THRO EBAY, BOTH THE AMPFIBIAN MANUFACTURE AN DEALER HAS ADVISED ME THAT ANYTHINH PRIOR TO 1990 WILL NOT HAVE A SAFTY SWITCH AN MEAN U NEED THE R-2, THERE IS 2 TYPE ONE IS RED ONE IS ORANGE, THE ONE FOR PRIOR TO 90'S REQUIRES THE ORANGE, FOR ANYONE LOOKIN FOR THIS DEVICE LOOK IT UP ONLINE FIRST AN CALL THE MANUFACTURER AN THEY CAN GIVE U A CONTACE FOR SOM1 IN UR AREA, THESE GUYS HAVE PUT ME ONTO THE RIGHT PRODUCT, ITS ALL ABOUT SAFTY PPL LETS NOT FORGET THAT AN THIS IS THE SAFE AN LEGAL WAY TO CONVERT UR POWER, TY FOR ALL THE HELP I RECIVED HERE IT LEAD TO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, IF U WANT TO ASK ME ANYTHING PLZ DO SO
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Post by kaybee on Oct 5, 2011 13:26:00 GMT 10
....IF U WANT TO ASK ME ANYTHING PLZ DO SO ...ok...I will, do you mind speaking English please..... ;D
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 14:03:15 GMT 10
wow that was highy uncalled for, sorry my GRAMMER isnt to ur likin! sheesh
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Post by aimz198 on Oct 5, 2011 14:05:53 GMT 10
an may i jus say, time i wrote my last comment i was in a rush so ya, everyone else has been extreamly helpful
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 5, 2011 14:30:17 GMT 10
I think it's the "sms text-speak" that the writer is referring to here. For example, what does PPL, UR, YA, TY really mean? Look at it as a way of making yourself understood clearly and without ambiguity
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Post by Franklin1 on Oct 5, 2011 14:43:49 GMT 10
This is the information we received when this same topic was discussed on the Classic forum back in Feb 2011... These were posted by cruisindoug: "I have received a reply from Ampfibian, here it is below: Hi Doug, Yes the units meet the relevant standards being AS/NZS3190 portable rcd's for RV-02 and AS/NZS3122 for RV-01. We have distributers all over the country, if you let me know in what area you are I could direct you to them. Cheers. Regards, David Betterridge AMPFIBIAN ph: 0408367553 info@ampfibian.com.au www.ampfibian.com.au" ...and this... "It seems I was asking Ampfibian the wrong questions, here is the lastest reply: Hi Doug, You are correct and yes these products do fall under declared articles. Even if an electrician puts something together along the same lines and puts a safety tag on it it is still not legal to be sold to the public as it needs to be certified by a lab. The following are the approval numbers for the products; RV-02 = AP number SGS/110126. Approved to AS/NZS 3190 Class H & L. As this product is approved for class H this means it can be used in Industrial environments and construction sites. RV-01 = AP number SGS/110127. Approved to AS/NZS 3105. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask. Cheers. Regards, David Betterridge AMPFIBIAN ph: 0408367553 " --------------------------------------------- West Australian readers should check with their local Electrical Authority about the use of the Ampfibian units. One of the WA members on the Classic forum posted this in Feb 2011: "Here in the West, it has recently been made illegal for any power lead to be joined at any point between the power supply sauce [source] and the appliance, In other words, the power lead must be of one piece construction from start to finish." ----------------------------------------------- The following is a photograph of the units that were being sold on ebay up until early this year (up until I harrassed the sellers about the Approval number )... While each of the individual components may be approved for electrical use in Australia, the complete unit requires its own separate approval for use. These units were selling for between $75 and $100. One seller had sold 13 of them over the preceeding 11 months, which is not bad pocketmoney. It's a pity the buyers have paid good money for an item that was not approved. cheers, Al.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 5, 2011 14:58:42 GMT 10
I think it would be better to instal a safety switch into the van for continual protection and then buy the RV1 for when you plug in at home. Ray
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Post by firefighter on Oct 5, 2011 18:42:36 GMT 10
G'day aimz198 If you are going to post on the forum could you please use full text.........we are not into sms text ...but we do allow aussie slang I have just noticed you are restoring a 1986 Viscount vintagecaravan.com cuts out at December1969 ... Header on our home page Welcome to www.vintagecaravans.com NEW Forum, from the site dedicated to the subject of pre 1970 (to 31/12/69) caravans in Australia. The purpose of this forum is to communicate with other early caravan enthusiasts, view the restoration projects of others, identify the features of the various makes of caravans, and to gather information on the whereabouts of pre 1970 caravans to assist interested people in locating them for a prospective purchase. Note: vintagecaravans.com does not support the modification of vintage caravans for commercial purposes, or purposes other than what were originally intended by the manufacturer ...... We have a sister forum classic caravans that cuts out at 1979 being 1986 not sure if you will fit in there either Franklin 1 is a moderator over there ....I am sure Al will look after you link to our sister forum ditzygypsy.proboards.com/index.cgi? cheers Geoff ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by JBJ on Oct 5, 2011 18:54:01 GMT 10
HI,
At the risk of me offending also, theres no need to you to use text type abbreviations on this site. Most of us take the time to type & check our spelling. I couldnt understand your post, & dont want to read through something in which the sender hasnt attempted to spell correctly.
It only takes a little extra time & care to spell reasonably, so dont worry if you have to check your first draft. There's also spell check available on your computer.
Please dont take offence at people trying to help.
Also reading through your first post you mention a 86 model van. This Forum is for pre (before) 1970 vans, so your van doesnt come under our umbrella. Maybe you should join "Classic caravans" Forum. They are for vans after 1970. Theres a link to there site on here.
JBJ
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Post by cruisindoug on Oct 5, 2011 19:17:59 GMT 10
Thanks for putting up that link Al, saved me looking for it! Just as an aside, I would suggest (dare I say RECOMMEND? ) that anyone with an old van would be well advised to cough up some readies and put in an RCD in your van if you are running 240V - they are cheap as chips (about $40 from memory) add about a half hour labour for install. For those that don't know these devices sense when there is a discrepancy between the active and neutral lines (like when some of the electricity is going through YOU instead of through the circuit) and trips. If you have one of these in your van then you only need the cheaper Amphibian so cost is about the same, but you are protected regardless of what power source you are plugged in to - its peace of mind. These things are also the first line of defence against electrical fires - wont necessarily stop all ways of electrical fires starting, but they will stop fires from short circuits to earth - a big percentage. I don't know if anyone would have a house without an RCD these days but if your in an old house and are unsure please check if one has been installed! I doubt if any caravan parks wouldn't have one either but you never know - for the small outlay its well worth the money.
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