Rewiring the Westy AC outlets. GFCI, Circuit Breaker, inverter

[shagginwagon83]

I need to move my circuit breaker. I was thinking of switching to GFCI. I also want to rewire it so I have capability to use pure sine inverter on Westy outlet. I'm only thinking 300w pure sine inverter right now.

Assume I am plugged up to shore power and I turn pure sine inverter on. I don't know what would happen. That's why I am thinking the Xantrex auto transfer switch.

If I convert the kitchen sink outlet to GFCI, then run power to the transfer switch, then to the usable outlet, I think i will be good! I just came up with this while typing. I was unsure how to route power but now after typing it out I think that will work.

Xantrex 8080915
PROwatt SW Auto Transfer Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S5Y158/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OeV2DbCH3N3J7
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin

[crazyvwvanman]

The circuit breaker is for fire safety and some shock protection.
The GFCI is supplemental, for more shock safety.
Both are good to have.

Mark

[E1]

What's the biggest load you'll need for the 300, Brandon?

I ask because our first van had an 1100, and a 400 hooked up to DC. While the 1100 was way overkill and sucked power unnecessarily, just know the 400 would not run our small blender (not that you're a smoothie guy), and I don't think it would run our soldering iron, either.

New van has a 600 and I think it's ideal... but as you know, it all depends what you're running.
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?”

[shagginwagon83]

I was thinking just for laptops and maybe an LCD monitor. I can go up to 600w but I doubt I would use all that power. The standby no load is higher on bigger units. I can always upgrade as needed.

I can add the circuit breaker to the circuit. However it cant be mounted in OEM Westy outlet. It would have to be relocated near sink outlet.

At this point I have most of the AC wiring disconnected. The circuit breaker has been removed but again, I can't use oem circuit breaker location as I'm going to be out putting heat.
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin

[fxr]

I can't think of anything we would possibly use in the van that would need an inverter. Soldering iron is a gas (lighter fuel) one, blender is a rechargeable (USB) one, laptop (if ever taken on a trip) has a DC-DC power supply. Just about everything has a 12V DC power supply option these days - only exceptions being high-wattage major household appliances.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[shagginwagon83]

There is not currently a DC to DC option for my laptop. I probably will never use the inverter but I'd rather have the option.

Well I guess I'll use a circuit breaker. I might just relocate the box under the sink outlet... Unless someone else has a better circuit breaking solution. It's going to be a PITA to reset back in there but maybe the gfci will trip first.
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin

[E1]

Sound good, Brandon... good thinking per "smallest is best."

I'd love to go straight DC Jim, but not an option for us. All we use DC for is phone charging, and I will add the phone charges way faster on DC!!!
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?”

[elizer]

OTG wired the outlet next to the bench to a xantrex 600w inverter. The fridge outlet is still on shore. I don't need the outlets but I figure I might as well just in case. I was originally going to go with a xantrex inverter/charger but that thing was so huge and didn't see myself ever really needing shore power.

The 600w inverter sits nicely on top of the battleborn on its side underneath the bench. OTG did an amazing install. You can see it on his instagram.

[shagginwagon83]

OTG is the bomb. I love following his work on IG. I saw that install under the bench seat. Super nice. I don't have the money for lifepo4 or else I'd copy the install.

I'm leaning towards the 300w unit because of how small its going to be. But for example, if I wanted to run n64 and a projector I can.

I renamed the topic. I need to figure out this circuit breaker idea. Would a late style circuit breaker be fine? I've never worked with AC so this is all new to me.

I think I can work that into install near the sink outlet. OR - maybe I should just install above the oem outlet like this!

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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin

[shagginwagon83]

I am still trying to sort this out. I think ideally I would like to keep my outlets stock, and have a GFCI breaker - like this blue seas model:
https://www.bluesea.com/products/3100/A-Series_GFCI_Branch_Circuit_Breaker_-_Single_Pole_120V_AC_15A

Since I don't have the westy fridge, I was thinking about having two breakers at the stock side vent. A GFCI breaker and a circuit breaker.

I bought the PROwatt auto transfer switch. But I need to figure out this GFCI + breaker situation.
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin

[SyncroHead]

I found this page that explains the difference between GFI and GCFI and also has a a nice video demonstration of a GFI in action.

https://www.chainsawjournal.com/gfi-vs-gfci/

Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"

Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org

[shagginwagon83]

Thanks for the link!

I tried to get the blue seas 3100 but it is out of stock.

Now I'm leaning towards getting an AFCI/GFCI breaker from Lowes. It's going to be ugly however.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Siemens-QF-15-Amp-1-Pole-Dual-Function-AFCI-GFCI-Circuit-Breaker/50310997
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin