Amp - fibian
- Thread starter simond
- Start date
G'day Simmond
I have got the RV 2 model of the Amp-fibian range and so far so good especially If you want to legally charge you Campermavan at home. The RV 2 has the surge protection and circuit breaker in as opposed to the RV1 model which has none but really the only reason I want the surge protection is because the Campermavan( my 16.49-3 OB only a couple days old now need to post up my pics) is my investment into my family camping adventures and quality time so I do want to protect not only it but my family as well. Also I found that if you stop over at relatives houses you can use their 10amp plugs to power your camper if you don't want to stay inside their house so it also help there.
Model wise choice well it really is up to the individual like I said I have the RV 2 model for piece of mind I know others who have brought the RV1 and are really happy with them it just a matter of what your prepared to spend for the extra features and whether they are worth the cash to you.
Hope this helps
Regards
Thirstyviv
I have got the RV 2 model of the Amp-fibian range and so far so good especially If you want to legally charge you Campermavan at home. The RV 2 has the surge protection and circuit breaker in as opposed to the RV1 model which has none but really the only reason I want the surge protection is because the Campermavan( my 16.49-3 OB only a couple days old now need to post up my pics) is my investment into my family camping adventures and quality time so I do want to protect not only it but my family as well. Also I found that if you stop over at relatives houses you can use their 10amp plugs to power your camper if you don't want to stay inside their house so it also help there.
Model wise choice well it really is up to the individual like I said I have the RV 2 model for piece of mind I know others who have brought the RV1 and are really happy with them it just a matter of what your prepared to spend for the extra features and whether they are worth the cash to you.
Hope this helps
Regards
Thirstyviv
Thanks for the heads up Thirstyviv.
I too have the same motives as you, so the RV 2 model will be the go.
Hope you don't mind but how much are they?
I too have the same motives as you, so the RV 2 model will be the go.
Hope you don't mind but how much are they?
Simmo, mate they vary in price from as little as $160 to around $300 dollars I got mine from eBay for $200 so it wasn't the cheapest but like I said it's to protect my investment and family.
On the flip side the RV 1's cost around $140-$200 but don't have the RCD in them which is made up for by the caravan having one so either one will be of a benefit to yourself the other reason I have the RV2 is that I had a camper trailer without the RCD before I had the Expanda hence needing the RCD for protection
Regards
Thirstyviv
On the flip side the RV 1's cost around $140-$200 but don't have the RCD in them which is made up for by the caravan having one so either one will be of a benefit to yourself the other reason I have the RV2 is that I had a camper trailer without the RCD before I had the Expanda hence needing the RCD for protection
Regards
Thirstyviv
I have one of the original ones, grey square box with weather proof lid, cost about $220 at the time,
the new ones are a lot more compact and a great bit of gear, the only safe legal way to plug in at home if you don't have a 15amp outlet, handy to take on your travels too if you intend on visting friends/rellies and need to plug in.
the new ones are a lot more compact and a great bit of gear, the only safe legal way to plug in at home if you don't have a 15amp outlet, handy to take on your travels too if you intend on visting friends/rellies and need to plug in.
I got one of the RV-01's from ebay for $169. I figured the van has a RCD so i went for the RV-01 so i could safely and legally plug the van in to a 10amp socket.
Just trying to get my head around this Amp-Fibian thingo. I, probably wrongly, have a 10amp male end and a 15amp female end on a 15 amp chord
It says this on the Caravans plus Web site
"Everyone who has a Recreational Vehicle has had the problem of connecting their power cable to a normal household powerpoint. This device is the first legal and safe way to do it that we are aware of. You plug the 10amp plug into a 10amp powerpoint and the 15amp socket fits your power inlet. This will allow you to use your lights and any appliances upto the 10amp level. If you exceed the limit it cuts out and can be reset."
But if you plug a chord ,what ever rating connection etc, into a powerpoint on your house that is connected to a 10 cutout switch/fuse in your household fuse box,wouldn't it cut out/ blow when you tried to exceed 10 amps anyway? OR is it all about how heavy the Cable is running throughout the house back to the Fuse box?
Do we have a Sparky on the Forum?
It says this on the Caravans plus Web site
"Everyone who has a Recreational Vehicle has had the problem of connecting their power cable to a normal household powerpoint. This device is the first legal and safe way to do it that we are aware of. You plug the 10amp plug into a 10amp powerpoint and the 15amp socket fits your power inlet. This will allow you to use your lights and any appliances upto the 10amp level. If you exceed the limit it cuts out and can be reset."
But if you plug a chord ,what ever rating connection etc, into a powerpoint on your house that is connected to a 10 cutout switch/fuse in your household fuse box,wouldn't it cut out/ blow when you tried to exceed 10 amps anyway? OR is it all about how heavy the Cable is running throughout the house back to the Fuse box?
Do we have a Sparky on the Forum?
Hey all, there are a few other posts on this very topic (use the search function) that talks about various issues that I am not going to go over but simply state the facts.
You are right, this is illegal and dangerous.
The circuit breaker in the switchboard is there to protect the installation that includes the house cabling.
Socket outlets (power points/GPO's) are built for the nameplate rating only, ie single/double 10 amp is standard. Hence 10 amp plug for a 10 amp socket, 15 amp plugs cant physically be plugged into a 10 amp socket outlet.
By having the 10 amp plug and the 15 amp socket, you can exceed the possible current draw on the socket outlet, lead and connections. Hence why it is dangerous as the result could be heat damage or fire, or at the worst case electrocution since the plug may not be suitable.
The Amp-Fibian restricts the current draw to 10 amps to protect the socket outlet and downstream equipment from being overloaded. Some appliances have their own fuse that does the same thing.
There is plenty of info on the web like Are Your Electrical Leads Safe? from the Qld Electrical Safety Office and other such government bodies and authorities.
Bottom line, anything that you cannot buy from a shop and plug in to install, especially to modify it, it is considered to be electrical work. Get a licensed electrical contractor for any electrical work, even if you are unsure.
It is not worth the risk if something were to go wrong...
You are right, this is illegal and dangerous.
The circuit breaker in the switchboard is there to protect the installation that includes the house cabling.
Socket outlets (power points/GPO's) are built for the nameplate rating only, ie single/double 10 amp is standard. Hence 10 amp plug for a 10 amp socket, 15 amp plugs cant physically be plugged into a 10 amp socket outlet.
By having the 10 amp plug and the 15 amp socket, you can exceed the possible current draw on the socket outlet, lead and connections. Hence why it is dangerous as the result could be heat damage or fire, or at the worst case electrocution since the plug may not be suitable.
The Amp-Fibian restricts the current draw to 10 amps to protect the socket outlet and downstream equipment from being overloaded. Some appliances have their own fuse that does the same thing.
There is plenty of info on the web like Are Your Electrical Leads Safe? from the Qld Electrical Safety Office and other such government bodies and authorities.
Bottom line, anything that you cannot buy from a shop and plug in to install, especially to modify it, it is considered to be electrical work. Get a licensed electrical contractor for any electrical work, even if you are unsure.
It is not worth the risk if something were to go wrong...
Thanks EG! We have been running our fridge on GAS the day before departures and charging the batteries via the battery charger while we were deciding on getting a 15 amp power point installed or getting an Ampfibian. I think we will go the Ampfibian way as pointed out for when we visit the folks etc.
We have the 17-56-2 (2011 model) so we am I correct in that we only need the RV-01?
Another point of interest.... You insurance is unlikely to cover you when you are doing something deemed illegal, should something happen.... When we pay so much for insurance, a $200 investment to make sure you're covered seems worth it.
We have the 17-56-2 (2011 model) so we am I correct in that we only need the RV-01?
Another point of interest.... You insurance is unlikely to cover you when you are doing something deemed illegal, should something happen.... When we pay so much for insurance, a $200 investment to make sure you're covered seems worth it.
Hey Andrea, as long as your caravan has earth leakage protection installed and is operating correctly. Whenever I connect to a power supply, I always check that the test button trips the caravan device just to be sure.
I would like to think that every installation (house/campsite) has been brought up to the latest standards with regards to earth leakage protection so the socket you are plugging the Amp Fibian unit into should be protected as well. (No guarantees though...)
Very good point.
I don't mean to be so heavy issue on this but it has the potential do a lot of damage if we get electricity wrong. Just want to push the safety message since we only get one shot at it and there is plenty of great camping to get done...
Cheers everyone.
Newby so maybe a stupid questions, but does anyone know if a 2009 14-44-2 EXpanda has a RCD in it or what I look for. Looking to purchase the amfibian and need to decide on the model?
Technically you are correct, provided you only ran the low power draw items that setup would work. But as EG has said above it is very much illegal and you really have no way to guarantee that the heavy draw items won't be used. if not by you then possibly by someone else such as a friend or kids who don't know any better. Much better to fit the ampfibian and know you are safe i think.
I know what everbody is saying about the illegal thing, but from day 1 i went to bunnings for a lead and bought a 10amp earth leakage and put the 15amp female on the end. As far as cable goes the only difference i could see (apart from price) was the colour (yellow and orange) the gauge looked the same. I plug in about 3 days prior to leaving and run fridge, setec and lights when needed. The 15amp lead i use when on site looks to be a smaller gauge and we have tripped out the RCD before by overloading the circuit, my point being that the lead handled the load so you would think the house wiring would also handle 15amp. I'm not saying that people should do this or want to start a debate i am just raising a point. Also we have a gas stove at home but the grill is electric and plugs into a 10amp power point, i've always thought this was suss!
Cheers.
Cheers.
Hi all, just to clarify a few points so we can keep on topic....
Firstly -
1) We all know you can covert a lead from 10 amp to 15 amp by altering plugs
2) Whilst we know this is possible, it is regardless illegal, irresponsible and potentially dangerous
3) If some thing does happen its likely your insurance is voided
Secondly -
1) As a forum we need to be very careful about providing advice relating to major electrical modifications which could result in some one injuring themselves or potentially other harmful issues
2) Lets keep on topic in respect to the OP "simond" who asked the question specifically relating to the amp fibian device we are know way off topic which is not always a bad thing but in relation to this issue lets get back on topic of the pros / cons of an ampfibian and the cost associated.
Finally -
1) If you want to discuss the "legality" of modding a lead to suffice I am happy to entertain it in a new thread but it must conform to the below -
a) Information relating laws / regs must come from a licensed sparky. Not my brothers, half sisters uncle knows this so if you want to start the thread please state where your information comes from so we can validate the information supplied.
b) I am happy for anyone to question debate the regs but it would be really handy if we could have some one that could answer these questions. So I know we have a few sparkies / tradies who know the regs on the board so maybe help if you chip in. Maybe even an insurance assessor.
c) There needs to be no advice about actually doing the mod just about laws / issues
d) I have actually created a new thread here
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/sh...-Modding-An-Electrical-Cord?p=16029#post16029
On a personal note -
1) To the OP, I don't have an ampfibian but I have had a spark install a circuit breaker and 15amp plug where i park my van. Total cost was about $400, if we stayed with the van outside of caravan parks at family etc I would have gotten an ampfibian 100% as its really the only option
Firstly -
1) We all know you can covert a lead from 10 amp to 15 amp by altering plugs
2) Whilst we know this is possible, it is regardless illegal, irresponsible and potentially dangerous
3) If some thing does happen its likely your insurance is voided
Secondly -
1) As a forum we need to be very careful about providing advice relating to major electrical modifications which could result in some one injuring themselves or potentially other harmful issues
2) Lets keep on topic in respect to the OP "simond" who asked the question specifically relating to the amp fibian device we are know way off topic which is not always a bad thing but in relation to this issue lets get back on topic of the pros / cons of an ampfibian and the cost associated.
Finally -
1) If you want to discuss the "legality" of modding a lead to suffice I am happy to entertain it in a new thread but it must conform to the below -
a) Information relating laws / regs must come from a licensed sparky. Not my brothers, half sisters uncle knows this so if you want to start the thread please state where your information comes from so we can validate the information supplied.
b) I am happy for anyone to question debate the regs but it would be really handy if we could have some one that could answer these questions. So I know we have a few sparkies / tradies who know the regs on the board so maybe help if you chip in. Maybe even an insurance assessor.
c) There needs to be no advice about actually doing the mod just about laws / issues
d) I have actually created a new thread here
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/sh...-Modding-An-Electrical-Cord?p=16029#post16029
On a personal note -
1) To the OP, I don't have an ampfibian but I have had a spark install a circuit breaker and 15amp plug where i park my van. Total cost was about $400, if we stayed with the van outside of caravan parks at family etc I would have gotten an ampfibian 100% as its really the only option
OK I get all this, but can someone advise what heappens when I use my Honda EU2i to supply power to the Van. Do I still need to use my Amphibian or can I just use a standard powercord from Generator to Van.. Im just trying to minimise the amount of stull I carry when freecamping.
Hey Kolega, is it the EU201?
It depends on the outlet size on generator and what Honda advises....
I believe the newer models have a 15amp socket but the older ones don't could be wrong on that one.
If it does have a 15 amp outlet on it then its just a straight plug and play.
If it doesn't then really the only way to get it to work safely is with the ampfibian device.
But Honda might have a say about it in terms of warranty and how it may affect there generator so best bet would be to contact honda directly.
Interestingly thought it does mention it can run caravan aircon
http://powerequipment.honda.com.au/Brochures/Honda_2011_Generator-brochure.pdf
No problem
!
For what its worth, we have an RV01 which we use with our 2011 17.56-2. As the van has RCD which I test, I didn't buy the Amp-fibian with the RCD.
Cost from memory was $150 approx from the Caravan Superstore in Campbellfield.
I haven't had any issues. Got it for all the reasons stated here - always respect anything which has the potential to kill you!
Cost from memory was $150 approx from the Caravan Superstore in Campbellfield.
I haven't had any issues. Got it for all the reasons stated here - always respect anything which has the potential to kill you!