Generator in the other half's horse box....

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by techie, Dec 10, 2006.

  1. techie

    techie Screwfix Select

    Hi
    Opinions sought regarding the use of rcd in horse box/ generator set up please. It's use will be mainly battery charging, but I wouldn't be surprised if the hair dryer gets plugged in too... Is there any point using an earth or rcd at all, as the floor of the box is a metre off the ground and the wheels are rubber ...Feed from the genny is from a winding, same as transformer, so it must be similar to an isolating transformer anyway?
    It will be arranged so's the genny can only be used via fixed wiring in the living area of the horse box.?
    I have had advice that the neutral and frame of the genny needs to be tied to a ref earth but the unit is a suitcase type and completely enclosed in plastic case.....
    Sorry for the length of this post!
     
  2. techie

    techie Screwfix Select

    I can't believe that no one has an opinion....
     
  3. ProDave

    ProDave New Member

    This is covered by the same regulations as caravan wiring. After all a horse box is just a Motor Caravan with a compartment for the horse as well.

    You MUST use an earth stake, which MUST bond the chassis of the vehicle. Take care that the "box" is also bonded in case it is not already securely bonded to the main vehicle chassis.

    If you don't have an earth, then there is the possibility of the whole vehicle being raised to some potential above earth. While you rightly say it won't affect anyone inside the vehicle, it could be bad news for someone entering or exiting (one foot on the ground, one foot on the vehicle!!!)

    You Must also use an RCD in the consumer unit within the vehicle.

    If you are not up to speed on the regs, the other important one in a caravan is don't use the normal solid strand twin and earth cable. That's too prone to working loose or fracturing due to vibration. Use multi stranded flex instead.
     
  4. techie

    techie Screwfix Select

    This is covered by the same regulations as caravan
    wiring. After all a horse box is just a Motor Caravan
    with a compartment for the horse as well.

    You MUST use an earth stake, which MUST bond the
    chassis of the vehicle. Take care that the "box" is
    also bonded in case it is not already securely bonded
    to the main vehicle chassis.

    If you don't have an earth, then there is the
    possibility of the whole vehicle being raised to some
    potential above earth. While you rightly say it
    won't affect anyone inside the vehicle, it could be
    bad news for someone entering or exiting (one foot on
    the ground, one foot on the vehicle!!!)

    You Must also use an RCD in the consumer unit within
    the vehicle.

    ProDave
    Thanks for your reply,
    I'm still left wondering how the set up is made more safe using an earth stake. If the living area did somehow aquire a PD and the genny also was grounded, then there would of course be a return path for the current as you suggested.(one foot on the ground). The same wouldn't be true if the genny was not grounded would it?.or maybe there's sufficient leakage due to atmospheric moisture or damp to create a path?.In that case perhaps an rcd would trip anyway...

    There will be NO mains hook-up or consumer unit as per caravan,although one could be fitted if required... only 12volt battery charging and occasional use of a hair dyer from one socket
    I look forward to any additional input please
     
  5. ban-all-sheds

    ban-all-sheds New Member

    I'd love to find out your secret - how do you persuade your wife to travel in a horse box instead of in the car next to you?
     
  6. 2 wheeled ant

    2 wheeled ant New Member

    I'm still left wondering how the set up is made more
    safe using an earth stake. If the living area did
    somehow aquire a PD and the genny also was grounded,
    then there would of course be a return path for the
    current as you suggested.(one foot on the ground).
    The same wouldn't be true if the genny was not
    grounded would it?.or maybe there's sufficient
    leakage due to atmospheric moisture or damp to create
    a path?.In that case perhaps an rcd would trip
    anyway...

    I look forward to any additional input please

    For the cost of a stake & a bit of cable why not?
    Ant
     
  7. thripster

    thripster New Member

    The box might be moving when he wants to use it.

    He must make sure vent is open though if he does.
     
  8. 2 wheeled ant

    2 wheeled ant New Member

    Petrol fumes & horse dung a winning combination!
    Ant
     
  9. techie

    techie Screwfix Select

    Thanks Guys....It's not so much the cost,but d'you really think the other half will be arsed to use the ground wire and stake before the genny gets started up..?

    BAS, the aftershave called Horse Turds is the secret....

    But the hair drying is of paramount importance I'm told and if the genny was at a fixed site then its easy to do the grounding /rcd etc - but it's not. Dunno what to do for the best really.....
     
  10. techie

    techie Screwfix Select

    P.s the genny hopefully will be outside when it's running......
     
  11. 2 wheeled ant

    2 wheeled ant New Member

    But the hair drying is of paramount importance I'm
    told and if the genny was at a fixed site then its
    easy to do the grounding /rcd etc - but it's not.
    Dunno what to do for the best really.....

    HD Van battery & a 12v Travel hair dryer?
    Ant
     

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