Hi, done loads of googling but can't find the answer out there. I have a Westy Berlin that originally was imported from Germany. It has the original european hook up connector....Do I remove this and fit a UK 3 pin connector and rewire or is it just a case of an adaptor?....Sorry if its a daft question but I just can't find the answer anywhere
Depends on the state of the wiring tbh. Mine was US original and had the old bakerlite fittings, the wiring was a bit flaky and only rated at 110v so decided to replace the whole lot. Germany has the same voltage ratings as the UK but I would get a sparky to check it out to be safe.
The wiring is going to be 30+ years old. I'd rip it out and rewire. At least you'll know it's safe then.
You can keep the external hook up connector - you'll need a 'in line schuko socket' to connect to it ( ie ebay 111226507308) to save chopping into your van. This hook up connector should have two fuses on the van side, so you could use it as is, but I'd rewire the internal 240v part via a small RCD / Consumer unit to be safe ( some thing like this : http://www.towsure.com/product/Caravan_Mains_Consumer_Unit or http://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-garage-kit-enclosure-5-module-ip55-40a-rcd-dual-6a-32a-mcb/68849) If in doubt, get someone who knows to do it, and remember to earth properly... I'd check your gas too, as 70's German gas supplies were 50mb, not the modern 30mb. Hence you need reinforced gas pipe, and a German to UK bottle adapter for the hob and fridge to work properly. Reimo sell what you need - let me know and I'll dig out the part numbers for you.
Thank you! After all my googling and returning a blank, you have come up with the answer I was looking for. Going to carry out a full test and check on the electric and gas this weekend... Thanks again Ian
Like @olnow says is spot on. The earth from 230VAC has to be grounded to the chassis, as per the OG installation, & flexible gas pipe rots from the inside out so replace ALL flexible gas connections that are more than 5 years old! & as he says, a Schuco plug will sort the hook-up so long as the insulation on the OG plug is intact. Re-wire the inside of the plug using proper crimped ring connectors & use heat shrink to protect any exposed cable. Happy days
Cheers @Dicky , coz as you know, I was going to buying a US plug & stick that on the end of the lead. I suspect you're right to query this as the Schuco may not be easy to attach with the limited clearance behind the panel work. Look fwd to your recommendation
Just so happens I'm moving my RCD, so I've taken a few snaps that might help: outside inside with fuses mr blurry ruler And the bit on the hook up lead
At the moment its buying a plug from Frank! http://www.vwbusparts.freeserve.co.uk/vwbus/westfurn.html
