Converting 220V European Vanagon to 110V American Standard

[I am Wildcat]

Anybody with some electrical expertise know about converting 220V to 110V systems? I do not have any experience with working with electricity, so if this job would be too complex for someone with no electrical work experience, please feel free to let me know that as well. Thanks!

[78BayDriver]

Change the outside plug to a US plug. Then find yourself a nice inverter and wire it in. Should be easy...
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1987 Vanagon GL 2.1 Flat Stanley (present)
1991 Golf GTi Forest Green
1981 Vanagon L 1.6 Diesel
1978 BayWindow Bus
1974 Bus
1990 Jetta
1979 Dasher Wagon
1972 Beetle

[I am Wildcat]

I thought it may be that easy, but wasn't sure if the wiring itself would be different (i.e. different gauge wire for 220V vs. 110V).

[OddN]

How hard would it be to get hold of all the corresponding 110V parts ? If Im not mistaken, all that runs on 220V on a euro model is the battery charger and the fridge. And you probably dont need to change the entire fridge, only the 220V specific parts.
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1991 VW Multivan syncro 1,9 TD

[I am Wildcat]

We've got a fridge that runs on 12v off an aux. battery. I was mainly looking to change out the power outlet on the inside/outside for when connected to shore power.

[GrindGarage]

Looks like 3 wire like ours live neutral ground... just change the hardware leave the wiring.

good reading:

http://users.telenet.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#voltage
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-cliff

91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com

[I am Wildcat]

Awesome! You guys are great!

[jbell]

I convered my Euro spec Westy from 220 to to standard 110.
1. I removed the 220 battery charger and replaced it with a 110 unit
2. I changed the inside pin type plug (close to the breakers) to a standard grounded plug.
3. The outside power conector is of very high quality so I kept it. I simply bought a good outside 12 ga extension cord and cut off the female end. Then connect the euro female end to it.

Good Luck,

John
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1984 Westy Joker 1.6 NA Diesel, 5 sp

[beelzibus]

Old thread I know, but I run a NA Syncro Westy over here in the UK, it's currently getting a makeover which is including the fitment of 230V sockets and the like to the inside, it means I have the NA 110V sockets and breaker available if they're of any use to anyone, also I could do with a Euro 230V charger if anyone has one that's no use to them.

[MsTaboo]

Old tread, but same task.
I'm converting a 220v european camper to NA 110v.
I have changed the outside plug, and have wired in a 110v charger/converter.
That part is fine. However, there needs to be a breaker in-between the outside plug and the inside use.
My question is the circuit breaker. Can I still use the 220v breaker?
As I understand it, 220v has two live wires (110v each) and the neutral. Our 110v has a live feed and a return, plus a ground.

Will the 220v breaker work for 110v? If so, how do I wire it?

Thanks!
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[ALIKA T3]

[goffoz]

[tencentlife]

[MsTaboo]

Thanks for the replies. I've been busy trying to get the van ready for a quick trip to Montana.

Yes, I got the 220v european system mixed up with NA's 220v system.
Three wires, blue one carrying 220v live, brown for neutral, and yellow/green for ground.
The van came with breaker/on-off switch box which is grounded to the van body at the same point as our NA vans. And each blue and brown wires going through the on/off switch. Not sure how the breaker trips.

I'm thinking of just using one side of the switch. I'll run the blue wire through the breaker/switch and just bypass the brown wire.
The plan of course is to make the setup the same as our NA vans. I'll acquire a 110v breaker asap.
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
When you stir up shit you're bound to get some on yourself.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)!

[dipple]

I am currently seeking a solution to the same problem and would love to see the what people have done. I was planning on replacing with the setup from a NA van but would prefer to keep the existing if possible especially the connection at the hook up. Thanks
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1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

[AdrianC]

[alain riaud]

I shipped my european van , temporarily, to US for a three month trip.
It's not a westy, just a home made camper.
I rely on a charger, a deep cycle battery and a 12V/240V inverter.
I just bought a 110v Charger ( I could have bought a 110/240V transformer instead) and a set of European male plus, US female plug. That's it.
Ther is another issue with cooking fuel, I'm butane based, unavailable in US.

[MsTaboo]

[AdrianC]

[MsTaboo]