Contractors at ournplace seem to think thats ok and if it gets pulled then they will tape it all together and put it in a box. Surveyors are no wiser, in fact too lazy and scared of contractors or perhaps uncaring and let stuff like that go. It comes out of defects and then my leccys find it. They dont produce stuff like that as they are accountable. Contrcators arent. NICEIC are a complete joke and also not interested. Too much of an old boys club! I really do detest lazy tradesmen, even worse those who seem to have all their tickets but cant actually do it.
You wouldn't have wanted to touch any electrics in my old house without switching it off first. I had 3 phase in the cellar I think I might have wired the summerhouse wrong because when I switched off the garage type consumer unit to change a light fitting I got a shock. Hope the new owners are ok.
Tough question, as you're having one built at the moment... fil6, all I can suggest is that you take a copy of this post and discuss it with your builder. He has a good rep, knows his stuff and will be able to put your mind at rest one way or the other. What you have here are users of systems, not exclusively builders of buses. The users impart experiences that many builder don't have coz. they're too busy building haha. As hobbyists we have more time to fart around than those fellas that put the systems in for a living! The PMS are not generally smart chargers, unless he has another more sophisticated unit in mind. What they are are compact power supplies that put a constant voltage and amperage into the battery, with all the bits & bobs for AC & DC neatly contained in one box, a good solution for many owners. In fact loads on here have them and I'm sure wouldn't give them up. There's nothing wrong with that so long as you appreciate there are other systems out there that, whilst not a one box solution, may offer a more technical management of the leisure and starter battery circuits. You've read the regs as per written here, ask your builder if the PMS has double pole MCB's and whether it can take the battery onto float charge when you're not using the bus. If his answers do it for you, the unit is the one for you! If not, I'm sure he will offer another solution such as those discussed here...
Wow, I would be lying if I said I wasn't confused. I emailed the builder the other day, as I wanted to understand what this pms system does and if it would charge the leisure battery on 240v and whilst I am driving etc. his response was this. " First of all in answer to your question about Electrics – The Power Management System will do everything you mention, our electric package also includes a trickle charger that allows you to recharge your Leisure battery whilst your engine in running. You also have the ability to charge both leisure or vehicle battery whilst plugged into 240v (this is for a max period of 4 hours at a time) The PMS control panel gives you a battery status on both batteries When the van is plugged into 240v, the PMS coverts 240ac to 12v dc so that you can use your lighting, subby pump for the water from the tap, etc. There is a double 240v socket for all 240v items you may wish to use in the camper" What could I add to this system to make it all singing and dancing?
The trickle charge while driving bit can be done for £3.50 and is pretty hopeless anyway BTW so ignore that.
It's a bog standard charger with a voltmeter that for some reason will implode if used more than 4 hours as a power supply? Sorry but it sounds Marmite!
I thought that. I really think intelligent chargers that maneg themselves are the way to go . What would you do... Set a timer. Not dissin but not fit for purpose imho. Mine is connected and charging permanently or at least available to charge permanently when its parked at home, why not!
It doesn't sound marmite, it just sounds like it doesn't really do anything that £150 of bits from above in this thread would do much much better.
I have a bog standard (quite posh) £40 battery charger plugged into my bus for lights and water pump, it's been switched on for several weeks without a hitch. What is this 4 hours charging?Is the charger so crude it will damage tha batteries if used plugged in permanently? This is true of some chargers. As @Dicky says - in this day and age this is not fit for purpose. Even my solar panal controller has a three stage charger built in.
Thanks @zed, I will question the 4 hour limit, does sound completely carp. I just want a system that I can charge my leisure battery on 240v and whilst driving along. Couple of sockets for heater and kettle and that is it. I love this forum but it don't half confuse the heck out of me
Don't get hung up on that, you'll be disappointed unless you drive home via Italy and as said it costs peanuts to install in the engine bay.
Fil, see if he'll bang in a 10 amp ctek, a decent 14o amp split charge relay/VSR bridging the 2 batteries, and a couple of 2pole mcbs in to control the 230v radial for the sockets & charger. A feed into the bus from the leisure battery to a DC fuse box & decent spec wiring for the 12v accessories/fridge. I'm sure it won't cost more than the PMS. It'll all take up less space if he's creative and you won't have a bloody great black box in the middle of the bed base taking up storage space. I've had a quick look at the FB photos, Betsy's looking good, but the black boxes are a bit intrusive IMHO & detract from the joinery.
...which if he has is fair do's & fil6 will enjoy the bus just as much. It's only a box of wires after all!!
I think you are right, the pms comes as a standard package for electrics. I'm not concerned about the cost, just want a simple, effective, reliable solution. Thanks for all the cracking advice.
I think its got worse being the grumpy old man i am i blame the new apprenticeships how can you do what i did in 4 years in the 2years and in some cases 9 months they do now you can even do a distant leaning course and the part p thing is a joke. I am not in the game full time and in some way i am glad
The pms and zig systems are just a pretty box to hold switches, fuses and relays along with a basic charger. Separate units mean you can have better parts but it does not look as pretty
