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Campervan mains hook-up, built around what you need it to do

A mains hook-up can be as simple as protected sockets for campsite use, or it can charge your leisure battery and form part of a complete inverter system. But crucially, mains hook up is all about protecting a mains power source.

Start with the job you want it to do. We will help you choose the consumer unit, charger, inlet and build format that fit the van.

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Real mains hook-up installation on the Rayne Automotive workshop bench

System Architecture

The practical answer first

Every campervan mains hook-up follows the same basic path:

1 Campsite supply

2 Hook-up lead

3 Vehicle inlet

4 Protected consumer unit

5 Sockets and/or battery charger

Direct 240V Sockets

You do not need a battery charger just to use 240V sockets while connected to a campsite supply. Choose a charger when you also want the hook-up to restore and maintain your leisure battery.

Inverters & MultiPlus Route

If you want 240V power when you are not connected to a campsite, that is an inverter job. A Victron Multiplus combines the inverter and mains charger, so it needs a different mains wiring route from a standalone charger.

Selection Guide

What do you want mains power to do?

Choose the outcome you need inside your vehicle to identify the correct kit route.

Option 1

1. Run sockets while you are connected to a campsite

Choose a mains hook-up kit without a battery charger.

This is the straightforward route if you want protected 240V sockets for appliances and device chargers while plugged into the campsite supply. Your leisure battery continues to use its existing charging methods.

Best for: campsite-led use, existing battery-charging systems, or customers who only want direct mains sockets.

View no-charger kits

Option 2

2. Run sockets and charge the leisure battery

Choose a mains hook-up kit with a suitable battery charger.

The sockets run from the campsite supply while the charger restores the 12V leisure battery. The planned range includes a standard 10A charger and Victron 10A, 20A and 30A charger routes.

Best for: customers who want to arrive on-site, plug in and reset the battery ready for the next off-grid stay.

View charger kits

Option 3

3. Add mains hook-up and off grid 230V Multiplus system

Choose the Mains Wiring Kit for Multiplus.

The Multiplus already contains the mains battery charger. It also works as an inverter, supplying 240V from the leisure battery’s stored energy when you are away from a campsite. The dedicated wiring kit gives the Multiplus the correct mains protection with one RCBO before the unit and one after the Multiplus with no need for a separate charger.

Best for: complete systems where campsite power, battery charging and off-grid 240V need to work together.

View Multiplus kits

Option 4

4. Reduce the internal wiring with a pre-wired mains board

Choose a pre-wired mains power board, with a charger or for a Multiplus system.

Rayne Automotive mounts and wires the insides of the consumer unit and charger to saddle clamped easy fit plug and fits it all onto a tested board before it reaches the van. You still install the inlet, sockets and vehicle cabling, but the central electrical assembly arrives built.

Best for: first-time builders, repeat converters and anyone who wants to reduce installation time and connection work.

View pre-wired boards

Catalogue

Shop Mains Hook-Up Kits & Components

Mains Double Pole 1-way RCBO Consumer Unit

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Components, Mains Hook Up Kits

Mains Double Pole 2-way Consumer Unit

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Components, Mains Hook Up Kits

Mains gas bonding cable and clamp kit

Basic Wiring Kits, Mains Hook Up Kits, Victron Energy

Mains Wiring Kit for Multiplus

View kit details

Circuit Protection

One-way RCBO or two-way RCD and MCB?

The practical choice is space and simplicity versus greater circuit control.

The compact route uses a 10A double-pole RCBO. It protects the mains system in one unit and takes up less space.

Choose it when the installation is compact and the simplicity of one protected circuit matters more than separating parts of the system.

Best for: smaller vans, straightforward socket systems and lower-power charger routes where space is tight.

The two-way route uses Type A residual-current protection with 6A and 16A double-pole breakers. It gives you more overall capacity and control over separate circuits.

A typical arrangement can separate the main socket circuit from the charger, fridge or another smaller circuit. That makes it easier to isolate one part without switching off everything.

This is Rayne Automotive's most commonly chosen consumer-unit format. It is also the planned standard for the 30A Victron charger and Multiplus wiring routes, where the installation is unlikely to be constrained by the smallest possible space.

Best for: larger builds, dual-circuit control, and 30A Victron or Multiplus routes.

Battery Recovery

What size mains battery charger do you need?

Rayne Automotive's practical starting point is to size the charger at roughly 10% of the battery's Ah capacity as a minimum.

Leisure battery capacity	Practical starting point
Around 100Ah	10A charger
Around 200Ah	20A charger
Around 300Ah	30A charger

These are starting points, not a promise of an exact charge time. Battery chemistry, state of charge, the battery's permitted charge rate and how long you normally stay connected all affect the result.

10A charger

The most common mains-charger size. It is a sensible match for batteries around 100Ah and for customers who have enough time on hook-up for a steady recharge.

20A charger

A natural step for larger battery banks around 200Ah, or where faster recovery during shorter campsite stops is useful.

30A charger

Designed for larger battery banks around 300Ah and substantial systems. This route uses the two-way consumer-unit format rather than the compact one-way option.

Battery Profile & Stock Compatibility Note

All planned chargers support lead-acid, AGM and lithium battery profiles. A charger bought loose needs the correct battery profile selected during installation. Chargers fitted to Rayne Automotive power boards are programmed for lithium unless the final product specification states otherwise.

Stock note: Rayne Automotive lithium batteries are currently unavailable. This guidance explains compatibility only and does not promote unavailable battery products. You can view our leisure battery collection for full profile specifications.

Brand & Features

Standard charger or Victron charger?

Both routes do the same core job: convert campsite mains power into the charging profile required by the leisure battery.

The standard 10A charger is the value-led route for a straightforward system. Victron adds the Victron brand, Bluetooth monitoring on the relevant models and a longer component warranty.

Bigger is not automatically better. A 10A charger remains the most common choice because it suits the battery size and campsite behaviour of many campervan owners. Choose the charger around the battery and the time available, not the largest number on the box.

Finishes & Aesthetics

Choose the inlet and socket finish

Vehicle Inlet Choices

The planned kits use three vehicle-inlet choices:

Covered surface-mount inlet.
Black flush-mount inlet.
White flush-mount inlet.

This is mainly a question of installation position and exterior finish. The Mains Hook-Up Finder will show the three formats without treating one as electrically superior.

Internal Socket Finishes

Internal socket options are planned in:

C-Line gunmetal silver.
C-Line gloss black.
Household-style black nickel.
Household-style brushed stainless steel.

The campsite hook-up lead is purchased separately. That lets you choose a lead suitable for how and where you travel rather than bundling the same lead into every vehicle installation.

Format Comparison

Standard kit or pre-wired mains power board?

The underlying job is the same. The difference is how much assembly you want to complete inside the van.

Standard mains hook-up kit

The loose kit provides the matched components, cabling and connection route for the chosen system. You install the equipment and complete the internal wiring before competent-person testing and certification.

Installation time: Allow roughly half a day for a typical loose-kit installation once the layout and cable routes are decided.

Pre-wired mains power board

The central mains equipment arrives mounted and wired on a board. In house we carry out continuity, polarity and RCD testing to 18th Edition standards, together with a detailed visual inspection, before dispatch.

Installation time: A typical board installation can reduce the central assembly stage to around one to two hours, although the vehicle layout and cable routing still affect the complete job.

The board is not a shortcut around correct installation or final certification. It is a way to move more of the precise assembly and testing into Rayne Automotive's workshop.

Explore Pre-Wired Power Boards

Safety & Standards

Earthing, bonding and competent installation

A campervan mains system must be installed and certified by a competent person to BS 7671 requirements.

Every Rayne Automotive mains hook-up kit includes the cable needed for chassis bonding. Where the vehicle has fixed metal gas pipes as well as a 240V mains system, those pipes also require bonding. The gas-bonding cable and clamp kit remains a separate product for installations that need it.

Rayne Automotive uses blue 2.5mm² Arctic flex cable for the mains wiring kits rated to 25A.

The most common problems we see are not exotic component failures. They are poor-quality connections and cable jackets stripped too far back, so double insulation is not maintained as the cable enters and leaves the socket.

This collection page explains the system and helps you select the right kit. It is not a substitute for the fitting instructions, inspection, electrical testing or certification.

Campsite Power

Campsite supplies and European travel

Your usable mains power is limited by the lowest-rated part of the supply path. Follow both the campsite post limit and the maximum rating of the hook-up lead before using high-load appliances.

Rayne Automotive's double-pole protection reduces the practical concern created by reversed live and neutral connections, but polarity should still be checked at every site before appliances are used.

A separate campsite-load tool is planned. It will let customers choose common appliances, total the demand and compare it with a 10A or 16A site supply without crowding this collection page.

Complete Electrics

How mains works with solar, DC-DC charging and inverters

Mains hook-up is one route into the same electrical system, the battery:

Solar Power

Solar charges whenever useful daylight reaches the panels.

DC-DC Charging

DC-DC charging works while the engine runs on the road.

Mains Charging

Mains charging works while the van is connected to an external supply.

Inverters

An inverter creates 240V from the leisure battery when you are off-grid.

You do not need every method. A campsite-led van may use mains as its main source. A touring van may rely more heavily on DC-DC and solar, then use mains to reset the battery between off-grid stays.

A Multiplus brings mains charging, inverter power and automatic transfer into one unit. For a simple campsite-socket system, that would be unnecessary complexity. For a larger off-grid build that needs 240V away from a hook-up, it can be the cleaner route.

Explore Related Electrical Collections

Split Charge Kits → Inverters → Leisure Batteries → Complete Systems → Pre-Wired Power Boards →

Build My Complete Electrical System → https://systembuilder.rayneautomotive.co.uk

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is a campervan mains hook-up kit?

It is the protected electrical route that connects a campsite supply to the 240V circuits inside the vehicle. A complete system normally includes a vehicle inlet, consumer-unit protection, suitable cable and internal sockets. A battery charger is optional.

Can I run sockets without charging the leisure battery?

Yes. A standalone mains hook-up can power the vehicle's 240V sockets whenever you are connected to a campsite supply. Add a charger only if you also want mains power to restore the leisure battery.

What is the difference between a one-way RCBO and a two-way RCD/MCB consumer unit?

The one-way RCBO is the compact, simple option for one protected circuit. The two-way unit gives greater capacity and lets you control separate circuits, such as the main sockets and the battery charger.

What size mains battery charger do I need?

As a practical minimum, start at roughly 10% of the battery's Ah capacity: about 10A for 100Ah, 20A for 200Ah and 30A for 300Ah. The battery's permitted charge rate, chemistry and the time available on hook-up still need to be checked.

Can I charge a lithium leisure battery from mains?

Yes, with a charger set to the correct lithium profile. The planned charger range supports lithium, AGM and lead-acid profiles. Loose chargers require the correct profile to be selected during installation.

Do I need a Multiplus for campsite hook-up?

No. A standard mains hook-up kit is enough for campsite sockets, and a standalone charger can add battery charging. Choose a Multiplus when you also want integrated inverter power from the leisure battery while away from a hook-up.

Are campervan supplies 230V or 240V?

Both terms are commonly used for the same practical UK campsite mains system. Rayne Automotive uses 240V because it is the language most customers recognise, while the nominal UK supply is 230V.

Can I fit a campervan mains hook-up kit myself?

The final system must be installed and certified by a competent person to BS 7671 requirements. Rayne Automotive supplies matched kits, instructions and pre-wired options, but those do not replace inspection, electrical testing or certification.

Does a campervan mains system need an earth connection?

Yes. Chassis bonding is always required and the necessary cable is included in Rayne Automotive's kits. Fixed metal gas pipes also require bonding when 240V mains is present in the same vehicle.

Can these systems be used in motorhomes and caravans?

Yes. The underlying mains system is fundamentally the same. Vehicle layout, circuit requirements and installation format still determine the most suitable kit.

Is the campsite hook-up lead included?

No. The external lead is purchased separately, so it can be chosen around the intended sites and travel use.

Built for a proper installation, supported by real people

Most customers do not need the biggest charger or the most complicated mains system. They need the route that matches the battery, the van and how they actually use campsite power.

Use the finder for a direct recommendation, build mains into the complete electrical system, or speak to the Rayne Automotive team if the installation does not fit a standard route.

Find My Mains Hook-Up Kit Build My Complete Electrical System → https://systembuilder.rayneautomotive.co.uk

Speak with our UK technical team:

Call 01245 934 140 or email info@rayneautomotive.co.uk

Campervan mains hook-up, built around what you need it to do

The practical answer first

Direct 240V Sockets

Inverters & MultiPlus Route

What do you want mains power to do?

1. Run sockets while you are connected to a campsite

2. Run sockets and charge the leisure battery

3. Add mains hook-up and off grid 230V Multiplus system

4. Reduce the internal wiring with a pre-wired mains board

Mains Hook-Up Finder

Recommended Starting Route

Shop Mains Hook-Up Kits & Components

One-way RCBO or two-way RCD and MCB?

One-way RCBO consumer unit

Two-way RCD and MCB consumer unit

What size mains battery charger do you need?

10A charger

20A charger

30A charger

Battery Profile & Stock Compatibility Note

Standard charger or Victron charger?

Choose the inlet and socket finish

Vehicle Inlet Choices

Internal Socket Finishes

Standard kit or pre-wired mains power board?

Standard mains hook-up kit

Pre-wired mains power board

Earthing, bonding and competent installation

Campsite supplies and European travel

How mains works with solar, DC-DC charging and inverters

Solar Power

DC-DC Charging

Mains Charging

Inverters

Explore Related Electrical Collections

Frequently asked questions

Built for a proper installation, supported by real people

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