Just had a call to say our new 410 is finally on the way from Germany, so it's down to sorting out extra power and a couple of things for AL to do.

It does occur to me that an external power source on the door side would be useful for when we are in the awning, cooking etc. The other option is an internal point in the under seat area next to the external access locker and an extension lead to the outside - though that would mean leaving the hatch open I assume.

Has anyone got any thoughts, advice etc on this please?

How do you intend getting the 230V EHU supply to the Caravan?

We run an extension cable from the campsite EHU to the caravan placing it underneath out of any weather. This reel has 3 socket outputs to one of which we connect a short lead that connects to the external input socket of the caravan. Both the cable reel and short extension lead are approved Caravan accessories and have the necessary blue socket/plug attached to them. (HO7RN-F standard)

From the reel, which, as a reminder is located underneath the caravan, we run an extension lead that is protected with an RCB (Residual Current Breaker) and has five socket outputs. At the socket end there is an on/off switch as well as a switch on the RCB that serves as a main on/off and trip switch. This extension cable is then run from the main reel and into the awning near the rear corner. From this extension cable we run a water boiler (runs continuously to keep the water at near to boiling point), the toaster, radio, overhead awning light leaving one socket free for running the laptop when required for film or viewing photos taken during the day purposes as well as charging any Smartphones etc.

In the diagram, the blue socket on the reel end runs to the campsite EHU. A short lead (not shown) runs from the blue output socket on the reel to the input socket of the caravan. The RCB protected extension lead connects to one of the red output sockets of the reel. The small red knob on the cable reel is a thermal cut-out switch which all GOOD reels should have.

We find this method far more versatile than having an external socket fitted to the caravan or indeed within the rear flap door as some do as in most cases you're still going to need an extension cable anyway. The choice is yours of course. Whichever method you finally choose, remember always to check what the campsite EHU is providing in terms of amps and never run too much equipment combined that will cause the EHU to trip out.

20170320_135449.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Zitat

---

It does occur to me that an external power source on the door side would be useful for when we are in the awning, cooking etc. The other option is an internal point in the under seat area next to the external access locker and an extension lead to the outside - though that would mean leaving the hatch open I assume.

---

I modified my Triton like that as you can see here

Cheap and cheerful cooking

As you say it needs the locker door open but not really a problem as you can always unplug the extension lead and lock the locker when not at the van.

Quote: rambling robin wrote in post #1

---

Has anyone got any thoughts, advice etc on this please?

---

I fitted one of these.....
IMG_1318.JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

We have just fitted an extra pair of sockets to our new Triton 420.
A double socket with USB internally near the water heater controls in the rear dinette and an external single underneath near the door.

We connected the external directly to the mains fuse box circuit 2(special equipment) which was unused as standard.

The required male plug can be bought at Radio Spares (RS) online. (Wago 770 Series, Male 3 Pole Connector, Through Hole,with Strain Relief, Rated At 25A, 250 V, Stock no.: 500-3767)

We used a water resistant external socket screwed to the underside of the van floor. The cable runs from the fuse box directly through a small hole drilled in the floor and then through clips on the underside of the van to the socket. The socket is a switched type. Your 410 probably has the same "spare circuit" on the fuse box. Approx. Cost was £3 plug and £17 socket the cable and clips I already had.

Zitat

---

Through Hole,with Strain Relief,

---

Now that is something that would be useful!!!!!!

Thank you one and all for some really useful food for thought. I'm a bit reluctant to have holes cut in the side of the van without a bit of living experience. So I think the underbed socket by the hatch solution is the most flexible and easily adapted to an external port when we know how we're going to live with the van/awning combo.