Hi there, currently looking at a Motorhome from the USA, where could I get a step down box to run 240 V down to 110 V and can I plug the 240 V into the side of the Motorhome. Cheers Deno
PeterX said
08:17 PM Sep 4, 2022
You would need to use 110V appliances in the motor home
PeterX said
08:22 PM Sep 4, 2022
You would also need to disclose to insurance company that is a 110V import vehicle. I suspect they may refuse insurance based on that its wired as 110V. anyway something to check out with insurance company.
The google query https://www.google.com/search?q=import+110V+caravan+to+Australia
Reveals several other problems. ( 1st few links )
-- Edited by PeterX on Sunday 4th of September 2022 08:25:15 PM
Whenarewethere said
08:45 PM Sep 4, 2022
Agree, insurance is probably your biggest issue. Insurance companies don't want to touch anything outside the "box". It's hard enough with Tenants in Common (not Strata) building insurance.
If you have solar you will need 12 volts to 110 volts. That's another issue. No point going 12v > 240v > 110v or you will have to increase battery capacity for the additional inefficiencies.
All this extra equipment reduces your payload.
Tony LEE said
10:48 PM Sep 4, 2022
Pretty sure use of a transformer is illegal (possibly OK for the first importer but not subsequent owners)
Deno1 said
06:19 AM Sep 5, 2022
Thankyou all, regarding the electrical, I am inspecting today, then will research with insurance etc if interested.
Cheers
Whenarewethere said
06:41 AM Sep 5, 2022
It would be suicidal not to have 3rd party insurance, make sure you still have this at the bare minimum.
Let's say your vehicle catches fire in a caravan park then in turn the fire spreads & the surrounding caravans burn. It has happened.
Your will need extremely deep pockets.
Our last car we bought new but it was a really bad annual registration date as we travel overseas in our winter for 4 months.
We ask them to store the vehicle for a few months & register it at a more suitable date for us (blue slip). After 30 minutes of reading the fine print, I am probably the first person to do so, I realised that the vehicle was not insured during this period.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:57 AM Sep 5, 2022
Imo .. Just convert to 240v . Assume the cable size, insulation would be ok ? Its not just the volts ! Frequency also ! If its done to Aust electrical standards ? You should not have insurance issues . Using transformer ? But youll find it hard when replacing or servicing microwave etc . Why I would replace them with 240v
Bobdown said
10:18 AM Sep 5, 2022
Deno1 wrote:
Hi there, currently looking at a Motorhome from the USA, where could I get a step down box to run 240 V down to 110 V and can I plug the 240 V into the side of the Motorhome. Cheers Deno
Story in this months Caravan World about Fifth Wheelers from USA.
Transformer is legal, you cannot buy 110v appliances in Aus and the gas is not to Aus standards as well. Cannot sell to someone else unless it is rewired and re-plumbed.
Try to enlarge pic and read up on it, sorry not best quality.
Cheers Bob
-- Edited by Bobdown on Monday 5th of September 2022 10:19:13 AM
Hi there, currently looking at a Motorhome from the USA, where could I get a step down box to run 240 V down to 110 V and can I plug the 240 V into the side of the Motorhome. Cheers Deno
You would need to use 110V appliances in the motor home
You would also need to disclose to insurance company that is a 110V import vehicle.
I suspect they may refuse insurance based on that its wired as 110V.
anyway something to check out with insurance company.
The google query https://www.google.com/search?q=import+110V+caravan+to+Australia
Reveals several other problems. ( 1st few links )
-- Edited by PeterX on Sunday 4th of September 2022 08:25:15 PM
Agree, insurance is probably your biggest issue. Insurance companies don't want to touch anything outside the "box". It's hard enough with Tenants in Common (not Strata) building insurance.
If you have solar you will need 12 volts to 110 volts. That's another issue. No point going 12v > 240v > 110v or you will have to increase battery capacity for the additional inefficiencies.
All this extra equipment reduces your payload.
It would be suicidal not to have 3rd party insurance, make sure you still have this at the bare minimum.
Let's say your vehicle catches fire in a caravan park then in turn the fire spreads & the surrounding caravans burn. It has happened.
Your will need extremely deep pockets.
Our last car we bought new but it was a really bad annual registration date as we travel overseas in our winter for 4 months.
We ask them to store the vehicle for a few months & register it at a more suitable date for us (blue slip). After 30 minutes of reading the fine print, I am probably the first person to do so, I realised that the vehicle was not insured during this period.
Story in this months Caravan World about Fifth Wheelers from USA.
Transformer is legal, you cannot buy 110v appliances in Aus and the gas is not to Aus standards as well. Cannot sell to someone else unless it is rewired and re-plumbed.
Try to enlarge pic and read up on it, sorry not best quality.
Cheers Bob
-- Edited by Bobdown on Monday 5th of September 2022 10:19:13 AM
A month free read of the above article:
https://www.scribd.com/article/585633336/Fifth-Wheel-Dilemma