Catering unit supply

[vandalay]

Hi all,

have been decided to help my mate on a project of turning one of those American 50s style caravans into a catering unit. As this is my first time working on a caravan have been going through my BRB, GN and all the previous relavant posts I can find on here.

Now the thing I cant figure out is the unit will have undercounter type fridge and a freezer which he wants to run on ac power from a generator when on a site but on dc from the car when on the move.

Is there any way to do this besides the way of unplugging them and putting them on a invertor. He,s asking for something he can switch between simply.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Andy™]

fridge may have a switch to change ebtween AC & DC?

or connect fridge to 12VDC, and use a 230-12 power supply?

 

[vandalay]

Thanks for the reply Andy, if a use a 230-12 power supply would he still be in the position where he would have to hook it up to 230 once he got to where he was working.

Apologies if this is stupid question just want to make sure I know what the best way to do this before I start it next week.

 

[Megaohm7]

I would treat this as a caravan set up myself. Electrolux do a range of fridges that run on 12v,230v and gas. This is usually done by a switch on the appliance that is already built in. Your supply will come in via 230v commando socket.

 

[Andy™]

Thanks for the reply Andy, if a use a 230-12 power supply would he still be in the position where he would have to hook it up to 230 once he got to where he was working.Apologies if this is stupid question just want to make sure I know what the best way to do this before I start it next week.

your 230-12 power supply can feed the fridge, connect mains supply, power supply comes on, gives power to fridge.

depending on setup, probably best to use a relay so power supply doesnt feed the other way, although if there are extra batteries etc, then you could skip the relay, and use the same power supply to charge the battery

 

[vandalay]

I would treat this as a caravan set up myself. Electrolux do a range of fridges that run on 12v,230v and gas. This is usually done by a switch on the appliance that is already built in. Your supply will come in via 230v commando socket.

Cheers mate this what I had in mind, anyone know a link for a decent one.

 

[steptoe]

oh, and remember NOT to use T&E like the 'van I looked at a fews months back, :|

 

[Lee321]

sounds more like a regular fridge will be used. aren't caravan fridges small? i.e wont suit catering.

for simples sake you'd need a single big inverter to power all items via batt and a small changeover for when power is available

so regular sockets in van

 

[vandalay]

[quote name='Lee

 

[steptoe]

no rollicking,

you need to use a flexible cable due to the movements likely to be encountered,

T&E is 'fixed',

ie, unsuitable for an enviroment where movement is likely.

even simple flex should suffice for your purpose, using HR where appropriate.

 

[Lee321]

That was my way of thinking via a invertor but just was not sure of the simplest way to switch it back over to the 230 when its stationary without switching sockets.Also, prepares himself for a rollocking from Steps. Why cant I use T&E.

you just use a contactor that switches the supply to the mains when it is available. it will be automatic no input by the user other than to plug in the feed when available. you would probably want an isolator for the inverter dc side for when you don't want any power as a modest inverter will be very demanding on 12v battery system

quick block diagram needs some detail but general setup

you interlock the contactors so only 1 will close at a time

 

[vandalay]

Lee, Steps, Andy :worship:Applaud

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 21:46 ---------- Previous post was made at 21:45 ----------

Sorry and Mega. :Applaud

 

[Andy™]

also, when on DC, where it powered from?

running from 12S will only give you a few amps. maybe 10 max. which is about 100w. may not be enough to run inverter/fridge, and may need a local leisure battery

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

That was my way of thinking via a invertor but just was not sure of the simplest way to switch it back over to the 230 when its stationary without switching sockets.Also, prepares himself for a rollocking from Steps. Why cant I use T&E.

Have a read of Chapter 721

especially 721.521.2 page 211 BRB!

Fridges 230v / 12v / LPG...

Caravan Fridges/Refrigerators - Homeking, LEC, Dual Power, CFC Free - Caravan Components - Original Caravan Spares, Parts, Accessories

 

[Megaohm7]

[quote name='Lee

 

[chrishaworth]

Try Dometic, they are one of the biggest suppliers of multi supply fridges and freezers Dometic.com Dometic, I've no connection, justa had a camper van for a few years.

Cheers, Chris