Hi everyone, I’m still getting to know my Triton GT430, in fact, I’m still yet to use it.
It is a cold water only model, and we are fine with that, but something I’m interested in is upgrading the electrics.
It is only able to be run on 12v from the car, and the usual hook up. I’d like to think about adding a leisure battery, but it’s not so simple as that is it?
Does something like a Zig system need to be fitted? Is it a job for someone who has good DIY skills? Are there any ‘How to’ guides.
Also, what are the pros and cons of using a fold out solar panel for charging the leisure battery? (Bearing in mind that we intend to use it in sunny climates at least once a year)
I’d also like to change some of the interior lighting for newer LED ones. Are there any straight swap types that require no modifications to existing holes and appetures?
Thanks in anticipation of responses.
Russ

I assume that your existing lighting is 12 volt ? Depending on your 12 volt source it should be easy to just swap the existing bulbs for L.E.D.s Normally with a 12 volt leisure battery fitted and charged via a mains charging system you will get a suitable DC 12 volt for L.E.D. lights. However some standard 12 volt Eriba supplies are very poor 12 volt DC and will cause lights to flicker
To cover any eventuality ensure you purchase A/C - D/C rated L.E.D s assuming you have a 12volt supply ! Lots of directly replaceable L.E.D.s available on line from companies like "Ultra L.E.D.s" and many others ! Usually available in 'cold white'( very white) or 'warm white' (more the colour of the standard 'bulbs') but be sure not to fall for the very cheap non a/c - d/c ones which will cause 'flicker problems' !
Hope that this helps! I'm sure there are many more knowledgeable Eribists who can add to or correct this

The thread here - Question for Eriba Electrical experts?? - may give some clues as to how the 12 volt system can work with a battery. Basically you connect the 240 volt supply to a battery charger, which in turn keeps the 12v battery charged which you then use to supply your 12 volt services in the van. Depending on exactly the current (Ha! - see what I did there) system in the your van, this can eliminate the need for the 12 volt transformer supplying 12 volts as, with a battery, it becomes redundant..

hope that gives you some ideas...

Hi Ribski, great post, thank you!
Yes, the existing lighting is 12v.
I’ll look for LEDs at the site you suggested
Russ

Hi Cabbie, thanks for the great reply.... which actually makes sense to me!
I’m no bright spark but should be able to do that myself.
I’ll chek out the link to the other thread when I’m home from work.
Regards,
Russ

Hi,
We also thought about adding a leisure battery but when we worked out the cost plus the weight we decided against it, most sites here ( France) have hook ups and the facilities available mean that we dont really miss out, useful for wild camping, but my wild days have long gone

Quote: Bryn wrote in post #6

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Hi,
We also thought about adding a leisure battery but when we worked out the cost plus the weight we decided against it, most sites here ( France) have hook ups and the facilities available mean that we dont really miss out, useful for wild camping, but my wild days have long gone

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And, of course, wild doesn't necessarily mean at the back of beyond. If you go to a music festival or stop in an Aire in France overnight or anything like that, you might find 12v on tap to be useful. Not trying to convince you of its worth, of course, but just want to make sure you've considered all aspects before you make your decision. A battery is something that can be added at any time, of course...

As far as cost is concerned, £50 should be ample for a battery charger and then another £100 for a really good battery. Installation is quite feasible from a DIY perspective with a little domestic electrical knowledge but even if you got someone in, It shouldnt cost an arm and a leg...

Quote: Pepé Le Pew wrote in post #8

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[quote="Rustybaby"|p52488]How much do we need it?

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And one such expensive alternative (or not depending how deep your pockets are) is the Reich easydriver mover plus the optional MPP (Mobility Power Pack) http://reich-easydriver.com/en/products/...ity-power-pack/

This small power pack takes up minimal space (see specs in above link) and in fact we have ours located under the bed in close proximity to the outside hatch. Attached to the pack we have the small optional push-button lead with which to turn on the power pack via the outside hatch (saves lifting the bed). The pack includes an integrated charger which as you can see from the image is plugged into a double socket leaving one outlet free should we have need to run an electrical device outside of the van for one reason or another. The double socket is wired so that it is live i.e. MPP being charged when attached to a campsites EHU. Alternatively of course, the plug can be run from an extension lead back home for the odd top up charge during the winter months. Our van is in storage and permanently plugged into the mains. There is an option of charging using a Solar panel although we've never considered that option.

All in all, no additional heavy batteries needed for the mower with associated space taking and no need for the fitting of an additional isolation switch.

MPP.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Quote: Deeps wrote in post #11

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And one such expensive alternative (or not depending how deep your pockets are) is the Reich easydriver mover plus the optional MPP (Mobility Power Pack) http://reich-easydriver.com/en/products/...ity-power-pack/

This small power pack takes up minimal space (see specs in above link) and in fact we have ours located under the bed in close proximity to the outside hatch. Attached to the pack we have the small optional push-button lead with which to turn on the power pack via the outside hatch (saves lifting the bed). The pack includes an integrated charger which as you can see from the image is plugged into a double socket leaving one outlet free should we have need to run an electrical device outside of the van for one reason or another. The double socket is wired so that it is live i.e. MPP being charged when attached to a campsites EHU. Alternatively of course, the plug can be run from an extension lead back home for the odd top up charge during the winter months. Our van is in storage and permanently plugged into the mains. There is an option of charging using a Solar panel although we've never considered that option.

All in all, no additional heavy batteries needed for the mower with associated space taking and no need for the fitting of an additional isolation switch.

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No we have the Pro which is pushed onto the wheels electronically using a remote control (both sides) The basic needs to be wound on manually (both sides). And yes, two movers which comprise a set are fitted. Look in the gallery under 'Movers for pictures.

Just bumping this discussion :-)

Our Triton has a pretty big and heavy looking leisure battery under the fixed bed at the back of the van. Granted, it is mounted right at the front of the under bed cavity, but is still behind the axle. I'm thinking about how to load the van for a trip, and how to achieve the recommended (for my setup) 55-65KG nose weight. The 30l fresh water tank is also under the bed, but I would always ensure that it's near empty before towing.

Would I be wise to consider moving the battery, to bring more weight to the front of the van? One of our front dinette lockers already has a Truma water boiler installed, so if I were to move the battery forward, it would need to go in the door side front dinette locker. There is not much storage space up front, so getting other weighty stuff up there will be a challenge.