My Caravan Mod.

Jim Jamieson · 25th February 2013, 19:39

I've just returned to caravan ownership after a 16 year break.
My last van was Ci Sprite Major, a late 70's model with double glazing and I towed it latterly with the SD1 Vitesse which I still have under wraps.

On the Sprite I had a spare 7 pin socket wired to a standard flasher unit which in the event of a breakdown I could couple up, therefore showing hazards at the rear.

My latest van is a Coachman ViP 520/4 so I set about doing the same thing only better. As I have a motor mover I wanted to be seen when entering or leaving my driveway so I've come up with this.

As you see mounted on the A frame is an additional 7 pin socket, this in turn is wired to the box just visible inside the front locker. Power comes from the motor mover master switch and is via a 15 amp fuse.
Inside the box is a standard flasher unit and a rotary switch which has seven positions the first being the off position.

Here it is in close up, position 2 gives hazards only whilst position 3 switches on the hazards along with side/tail lights. The remaining positions are used to test all my lights without being coupled to the car. As I don't have reverse lights on the van this shows as red on my label which I made up on the PC, then laminated it for some weather proofing. I had originally made one in a clockwise orientation but then discovered my switch worked anti clockwise. The LED is a flashing one just to indicate power is on.

The box which is polycarbonate is fully insulated and all wiring passes under the floor of the van so nothing to get tangled up with other equipment stored in the locker. In all it cost around £40 for the various components and weighs less than a tin of beans.

JYJ

reworht · 25th February 2013, 19:50

Absolutely superb

Although I don't have a motor mover (yet!), the ability to test the 'van's lights without having to attach the car is an excellent idea

Jim Jamieson · 25th February 2013, 20:08

Thanks very much, it took a lot of planning out etc and sourcing the right parts etc. but I will put it to good use. I'm surprised that caravan manufacturers don't fit these as standard as they're always on the look out for something different to their competitors.

JYJ

25th February 2013, 19:39	#1
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	My Caravan Mod. I've just returned to caravan ownership after a 16 year break. My last van was Ci Sprite Major, a late 70's model with double glazing and I towed it latterly with the SD1 Vitesse which I still have under wraps. On the Sprite I had a spare 7 pin socket wired to a standard flasher unit which in the event of a breakdown I could couple up, therefore showing hazards at the rear. My latest van is a Coachman ViP 520/4 so I set about doing the same thing only better. As I have a motor mover I wanted to be seen when entering or leaving my driveway so I've come up with this. As you see mounted on the A frame is an additional 7 pin socket, this in turn is wired to the box just visible inside the front locker. Power comes from the motor mover master switch and is via a 15 amp fuse. Inside the box is a standard flasher unit and a rotary switch which has seven positions the first being the off position. Here it is in close up, position 2 gives hazards only whilst position 3 switches on the hazards along with side/tail lights. The remaining positions are used to test all my lights without being coupled to the car. As I don't have reverse lights on the van this shows as red on my label which I made up on the PC, then laminated it for some weather proofing. I had originally made one in a clockwise orientation but then discovered my switch worked anti clockwise. The LED is a flashing one just to indicate power is on. The box which is polycarbonate is fully insulated and all wiring passes under the floor of the van so nothing to get tangled up with other equipment stored in the locker. In all it cost around £40 for the various components and weighs less than a tin of beans. JYJ Last edited by Jim Jamieson; 25th February 2013 at 19:47.. Reason: add photo

25th February 2013, 19:50	#2
reworht This is my second home Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE Navi 5dr Diesel Hatchback Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: North Yorks Moors Posts: 14,446 Thanks: 782 Thanked 2,156 Times in 1,497 Posts	Absolutely superb Although I don't have a motor mover (yet!), the ability to test the 'van's lights without having to attach the car is an excellent idea __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rodney - you plonker! ... but more commonly known as Rod !

25th February 2013, 20:08	#3
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	Thanks very much, it took a lot of planning out etc and sourcing the right parts etc. but I will put it to good use. I'm surprised that caravan manufacturers don't fit these as standard as they're always on the look out for something different to their competitors. JYJ