US van in UK/Europe Campsites

Hi All,

I'm thinking about getting an US Imported 1977 Deluxe Westfalia but despite all the research I've done I'm still not sure how the Electrical HookUp will work. I'd prefer to keep the van original, so my questions are:

• Are there 110v plugs in UK/Europe campsites?

• If no, is it possible to connect a simple stepdown converter into the campsite plug, and hook up the van to the converter? What kind of converter would I need to guarantee a continuous use?

• Some people told me I could connect the van straight to the 220V plug but I fear that would break the fridge...

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Thanks in advance!

 

Fit it all again!

Don't use the US stuff.

It'll cost you no more than £80 in parts, and a couple of hours labour.

 

no the uk and the EU uses 230v 50hz the US uses 120v 60hz add to the fact its 40 years old i would rip it out and start again

have a read of this to see the requirements needed for use of mains in the UK
http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/leisure-electrics-230v.5526/

 

Any good garage in UK where they could do that refit?
Or any easy instructions online?

 

It's easy if you know basic electrics.
Or if you know an electrician.

Where are you?

 

I'm in London. I know basic electrics but it's always good to have instructions. How will the 110v to 12v converter work after changing everything to 240? Do I need a 240 to 110 between the plug and the original converter?

 

Where in London are you?

I'm in SE London and have a US import Westfalia Berlin which I have installed 240v into.

Admittedly, I didn't install it, but I can show you it.

 

I'm also in East London (in Isle of Dogs).
I don't have the van yet but if you wouldn't mind, after getting the van, it would be great if I could see how the wiring was done on yours.

Thanks for all the help

 

Basically, remove as much of the 110v electrics as possible.
But keep the socket on the outside if you can. Just for show.
Careful what you cut/remove though, as you'll need one or two of the wires to run the fridge if you have one.

Hookup plug in the engine bay, runs through the underbed area.
Goes into an RCD.
Out of the RCD comes two sockets (I have two dual sockets and a single socket).
If you have a Westy fridge, it might be 12v only.
So you need to plug a leisure battery charger into one of the sockets, and run it to the leisure battery.
Then, when you're on hookup, the fridge still runs off the battery (12v) but it is being charged at the same time.

 

Yep sure.

Won't take long for me to pop over

Don't be put off by a US bus.

If it's from a dry state, and you can cope with the LHD, it'll probably be better than some buses!

 

Slightly unsafe though.....

 

I definitely want an US Bus so this is just me anticipating the works I need to do on the van

The extension lead would work if I just wanted the plug sockets however I also want it for the fridge

 

I have a 78 westfalia from the US. I traveled round Europe last summer but have taken the 110v out and changed it to 240v. The fridge is 12v so you will need transformer from 240 to 12v. Like others have said you can fit the hook up for £70 and another £70 for the transformer.

All the European campsites have the same uk round type hook up plugs.

 

The only thing you need to do is remove the 110v to 12v transformer (if fitted) & fit a 230 to 12V replacement such as this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/P116-Powe...535548?hash=item27da15067c:g:GAIAAOxyXDhSckHI

There are other ways of doing it & we can bore you for hours but this is the simplest and cheapest way of converting a US bus that has hook-up into a Euro traveller. You can get a US plug that will go into the side of the van for a few dollars delivered to Europe. It will not be rated for 16 amps/230v but are you bothered? If you are it's simple to wire a Euro external hook-up to the US system (providing you buy a new transformer) & away you go. All in, less than £100/€130
Go for the solid, rust free bus, the 'leisure' side is simple

 

We have 2 US vans in essex, both have 230V electrics if you wanted to come and have a look.

 

Thanks all for the help
One more rookie question. Will the original Westfalia controler panel (for the fridge, leisure battery voltage, etc) work connected to a 240 electrics?

 

Yes.
Still works.

Not entirely sure about the charging feature of it though.

 

no