Sockets not Working!

[Em_Westacott]

Hi
Can anyone please help me!?

I have bought a Bongo Friendee conversion and when plugging in my kettle earlier to make a cup of tea - there appeared to be no power coming from either of the two sockets which have recently been fitted! I tried pressing the green "reset" button but to no avail!

Hopefully an easy answer & I've missed something obvious!!!

Thanks

Em

[missfixit70]

Have you plugged your bongo into the mains via a hook up cable? unless you've got a BIG inverter fitted, 240v sockets won't run off your 12v battery & even then you'd want the engine running.
If you are plugged in to the mains, then check the fuse on the kettle, or any other trips/fuses in the 240v side. Could be the hook up cable? Have you tried anything else plugged in other than the kettle?

[Em_Westacott]

Thanks Missfixit 70!

One thing omitted to mention. The Bongo has a Leisure Battery & 2 standard plug sockets. I thought the Leisure Battery would provide power to the sockets without needing a mains hook-up - is that not the purpose of the Leisure Battery??

[haydn callow]

Any battery will only provide 12 volts...your kettle requires 240 volts......you could fit a inverter which would transform the 12 volt supply to 240 volts but a kettle would flatten the battery in a few seconds.....the only time to use a kettle would be when you are on a campsite connected to the mains..
I suggest you do a bit of research into what you can and cannot do with your electrics.

[g8dhe]

'fraid not the mains sockets are powered from the mains hook-up cable. Normally you will find a flap on the side of the van, if you have a full conversion, that allows you to plug a cable in to the side which then plugs into the mains on the site.
You will need a cable like this;


The 12 volt leisure battery powers things like lights, blinds, radio, fridge etc.

[missfixit70]

Nope, it will only provide 12v, usually for lighting, powering 12v sockets, maybe a 12v fridge, 12v tv etc. You can get a 12v "kettle" but they are a waste of time & will more than likely cause the LB to drain before boiling any water. If not on hook up, you'll have to use your gas stove I'm afraid, or take a flask.

Too slow again

[haydn callow]

whereabouts are you ???? may be a member local who can see what you have and explain things.

[westonwarrior]

chances are it wont run the sockets you need it plugged in to a hook up
the lb will run the lights, radio, blinds and any 12v appliences, not comprehensive but roughly there

beaten by 2 posts while typing
edit 3

[missfixit70]

Any battery will only provide 12 volts...your kettle requires 240 volts......you could fit a inverter which would transform the 12 volt supply to 240 volts but a kettle would flatten the battery in a few seconds.....the only time to use a kettle would be when you are on a campsite connected to the mains..
I suggest you do a bit of research into what you can and cannot do with your electrics.

With a big enough inverter & wiring & small enough kettle & the engine running, I know people who use a 240v kettle, but it's gona tax your LB & alternator.

[Em_Westacott]

Thanks All!
Makes sense now....as long as the fridge works!

[g8dhe]

You will only get so long with the fridge running on a battery alone, normally for a compressor fridge about 2-3 days. You will need to boost the battery from time to time by running the engine / taking a drive or again plugging into the mains asuming your set-up has a charger built into it.

Can you give us any information on the conversion / mains set-up ? The usual devices are either a Zig unit or a PMS unit.

[Alison01326]

Once you have found out what's what, please remember that if you are plugging an ordinary domestic kettle into a campsite supply there is a good chance you will trip the campsite's electrics.

Assuming you've got a gas ring (or two) get a kettle for that then you can brew up everywhere I know Kirsty already mentioned that, but I think it's VERY important