|
|
Post by Pauline on May 24, 2007 14:05:10 GMT
The discussion about 12v sockets not necessarily running from the leisure battery has made me question another of my assumptions!
The Zig unit shows the battery's charge in the little meter, I assume that if you switch the rocker switch between van and leisure battery it will be showing the charge for that particular battery, is that right?
|
|
|
|
Post by ant on May 24, 2007 14:15:06 GMT
Thats right Pauline, van( picture of car) position gives voltage of starting battery, Caravan ( picture of a caravan)position shows 2nd battery voltage.
Ant
|
|
|
|
Post by martinw on May 24, 2007 20:05:18 GMT
Hi all,
Referring to Paulines other queries about 12 volt and 240 volt sockets, I often wonder, do the people who design these things, not only motorhomes, but anything we use in life, actually use them, or dare I say even clean them.
I have my doubts.
No one in their right mind would put 240 volt sockets at floor level in a motorhome, so that you had to use extension leads to operate any thing on the work surfaces such as a kettle. Trip over the lead and where does the boiling water go????!!!!
But it seems, by what I have seen of Romahomes, old and new, they do. I just don't under stand it.
When I first got my motorhome I tested out the use of an extension lead to boil a kettle and saw at once how dangerous it was, I now have 240 volt sockets at work top level, both sides.
No 12/240 volt sockets in the living area ?????
12 volt in the kitchen running from the van battery ?????
Such simple things to make life easier and safer and with the high prices that they are charging for them, nothing seems to be done.
Attitude = lets cut corners do it as cheep as possible and charge a high price for it, if they want it they'll pay.
This weeks rant over, thanks for reading.
Martin
|
|
|
|
Post by Derek on May 25, 2007 18:57:21 GMT
Hi Martin, I agree that the mains socket at floor level on the way out is asking for someone to trip over the lead.
I have fitted a second socket in our Duo Hylo on the cooker side for the electric kettle and the electric boiling ring that we use for cooking when on hookup. I think think that it would be a good idea if one was fitted during the initial build particularly now the glass hob cover is fitted.
I don't see how it would significantly affect the build costs, larger conduit across the van floor and build in a box for a socket.
I still use the original socket for an oil filled radiator, it is ideal for that.
Derek
|
|
|
|
Post by mike and heather on May 25, 2007 19:27:47 GMT
Hi Martin I too agree about the floor level power point asking for trouble.  We used to run an extension cable from it to the living area of our first Dimension. On specifying our Dimension 2 to avoid this hazard, we asked if we could have an extra socket fitted on the right hand side in the living area, quite near where the supply enters the van! Also Romahome agreed to fit a 12v socket direct from the leisure battery so that we could use our inverter without fear of running the starter battery down. BUT it's a shame that these sockets are not fitted automatically in these places - that's where we live, and that's where we need the power. You do wonder if anyone at Romahome ever camps in the vans? I don't think it's the money, just lack of thought. Perhaps the message might get through now, as this forum seems a good place to exchange ideas and hopefully Romahome might start monitoring it to see what the paying customers are thinking! Mike |
|
|
|
Post by Graham on May 26, 2007 14:40:44 GMT
Hi fellow Romahomers
We have just come back from a 2 night camping trip, our Dimension was left on site for the duration of our stay and we watched about 2 hours of our colour TV each night which was powered from the 12v plug (which we have recently found is run from the van battery and not the leisure battery) and had no problems whatsoever starting the following day to come home.
Regards
Graham
|
|
|
|
Post by martinw on May 27, 2007 7:18:28 GMT
Also Romahome agreed to fit a 12v socket direct from the leisure battery so that we could use our inverter without fear of running the starter battery down. Hi Mike, Just a thought, make sure that the extra 12v socket is fused, I am sure it would be coming direct from Roma, I say this because my one wasn't and I had to put an inline fuse in myself, but then I don't know who fitted it. Hi Derek Thats where I plug my radiator in as well, ideal for that. Hi Graham, Glad your van started OK Thanks all for responding, glad to here that I'm not the only one with some gripes. Martin |
|
|
|
Post by Pauline on May 27, 2007 8:58:07 GMT
I agree Martin, having to use extension leads for kettles is so dangerous.
Hopefully anyone having to use one will read this thread and consider carefully where they run it, perhaps tucking the extension out of harms way, behind seats etc. to prevent the risk of tripping over it and pulling off a kettle of boiling water.
|
|
|
|
Post by mike and heather on May 27, 2007 12:05:41 GMT
Hi Graham and Pauline Glad you were able to start up after two nights of TV viewing. It was our concern of running the starter battery down that lead us to ask for a 12v socket off the leisure battery in our first van, and Ant kindly installed it for us. Naturally we asked for Romahome to add one in the new van. We still find it rather amazing that it is not done by Romahome as standard. Hi Martin I have just ventured out in this appalling weather to check the wiring of the 12v socket off the leisure battery. Romahome have done a fine job with an inline fuse, as Ant did with our previous van. Thanks for the thought. Roll on summer!  |
|
|
|
Post by martinw on May 28, 2007 11:27:46 GMT
Glad to hear it Mike, I thought it would be OK but its better to be safe than sorry
Martin
|
|
|
|
Post by hidehi on Jul 26, 2007 14:35:39 GMT
IT IS NOT ONLY ROMAS THAT HAVE THE PLUGS IN FUNY SPOTS, IT IS A COVERTERS WITH BLIKERS.
|
|
