An apparatus for connecting a rechargeable electric vehicle to a charging supply

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a rechargeable electric vehicle (EV) 10 to a charging supply, wherein the vehicle may be a caravan-towing vehicle, a campervan, motorhome or an electrically-powered boat. A first removable input connector (e.g., commando connector 26) attaches to a first electrical power supply (e.g., a mains supply 30). A controller 32 is connected to the removable input connector for determining the electrical power output between plural outputs 34,36. A first such output 34 is connected to the battery 20 via a battery management system (BMS). A second such output 36 is connected to electrical circuits and or sockets 12 in a habitation area of the vehicle for providing power to electrical devices in the habitation area. The controller limits the power directed to the first output depending on the electrical power being directed to the second output, as monitored by at least one power monitoring device that may measure current. A second removable input connector may attach to a second electrical supply and connect it to the BMS for direct charging of the battery. Each output may have a current limiting protective device, e.g., residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection (RCBO 40-Figs 4-7).

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for connecting a rechargeable electric vehicle to a charging supply, to a towable vehicle incorporating such an apparatus and to an electric vehicle such as a campervan. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for charging electric vehicles when staying at a campsite on a pitch with an electric hookup. With the use of electric vehicles becoming increasingly popular they are beginning to be used by people camping, people towing caravans and as campervans. As a result, there is an increasing need for vehicles to be charged at campsites. However, where electricity is provided at campsites, and other sites with very limited load capacity, the supply is designed in order to provide the very limited amount of electrical power needed to run the domestic appliances in a caravan, campervan or in tents. These so-called "electric hookups" are generally relatively low power mains power supplies with a current limit of typically 16 amps provided to sockets for use with 13 amp plugs via IEC60309 / BS4343 "Commando" type sockets. Such a hookup is generally ample to meet the requirements of typical camping and caravan use. There is a danger that where a vehicle is being charged and other appliances are being used, particularly electrical heating and cooking, that the electric hookup supply will become overloaded. Therefore, if the campsite hookup point is overloaded it is likely that the circuit will trip somewhere. In that situation the supply might be lost to one or more pitches and a reset to restore power may need the assistance of campsite maintenance staff. There are a number of rules that have been published by camping associations relating to campsites and their policies regarding electric vehicles. These suggestions are potentially hazardous as they encourage the use of a Mode 2 charger plugged into an adapter or into a standard UK 13 amp 3-pin (BS1363) domestic socket within the caravan. The UK standard 13 amp plug and socket combination is not designed for long duration high current use. Charging using a UK standard 13 amp plug has been implicated in a number of fires, including in caravans. Furthermore, unless a caravan has an outside socket to plug into, there are practical problems with charging a vehicle from the caravan including the need to leave a door or window open for the connecting cable. Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome or alleviate the above described disadvantages of the prior art. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an electric vehicle, such as a campervan or motorhome, the vehicle comprising: a chassis at least three wheels; a habitation area attached to the chassis, the habitation area containing at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket; at least one electric motor for driving a plurality of the wheels; at least one battery, including a battery management system, the battery for providing electrical power to the motors; a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply; a controller connected to the removable input connector for determining the electrical power between a plurality of outputs; a first such output connected to charge at least one battery via the battery management system; a second such output connected to electrical devices in the habitation area including the at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket; and at least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to the second output, wherein the controller limits the power directed to the first output depending on the monitored power being directed to the second output. By providing a vehicle having a single electric hookup and two outputs, one for electrical appliances in a habitation area of the vehicle and one for charging the vehicle and monitoring the load being drawn to the electrical appliances, the advantage is provided that a vehicle can be consistently charged to a maximum possible charge while allowing the vehicle to be used in a normal way for camping and not risking overloading the supply. As a result, the risk of electrical fires and damage to equipment / property including the vehicle is significantly reduced. Furthermore, risks and inconvenience of repeatedly tripping circuits, whether within the vehicle or within the campsite are also reduced. Campsite owners can be reassured that the vehicle is not putting their electrical supply equipment at any risk. Where a circuit is tripped this occurs in the device rather than on the site making it much easier for the user to reset within the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the electrical power is monitored by measuring current. The vehicle may further comprise a second removable input connector for attaching to a second electrical supply, the second removable input connector for connecting the second electrical supply to the battery management system for direct charging of the battery. In a preferred embodiment the first removable input connector comprises a commando connector. In another preferred embodiment the controller sends a signal to the battery management system to limit the power directed to the first output. The vehicle may also further comprise at least one current limiting protective device. In a preferred embodiment each output has a current limiting protective device. In another preferred embodiment the current limiting protective device is a residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for connecting a rechargeable electric vehicle to a charging supply, the apparatus comprising: a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply; a controller connected to the removable input connector for determining the electrical power output between a plurality of outputs; a first such output for connection to a rechargeable electric vehicle to charge at least one battery of the vehicle via a battery management system; a second such output connected to at least one other electrical devices using at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket; and at least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to the second output, wherein the controller limits the power directed to the first output depending on the monitored power being directed to the second output. In a preferred embodiment the first removable input connector comprises a commando connector. In another preferred embodiment the controller sends a signal to the battery management system of the vehicle to limit the power directed to the first output. The method may further comprise at least one current limiting protective device. In a preferred embodiment each output has a current limiting protective device. In another preferred embodiment the current limiting protective device is a residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection. In a further preferred embodiment the second output is connected to the mains socket via a commando connector. In an additional preferred embodiment the electrical power is monitored by measuring current. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a towable vehicle, such as a caravan, the vehicle comprising: a chassis with a towbar and a plurality of wheels attached thereto; a habitation area attached to the chassis, the habitation area containing at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket; a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply; a controller connected to the removable input connector for determining the electrical power between a plurality of outputs; a first such output for connection to a rechargeable electric vehicle to charge at least one battery of the vehicle via a battery management system; a second such output connected to electrical devices in the habitation area including the at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket; and at least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to the second output, wherein the controller limits the power directed to the first output depending on the monitored power being directed to the second output. According to an additional aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrically powered boat comprising: a hull; a habitation area attached to the hull, the habitation area containing at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket; at least one electric propulsion device for moving the boat through water; at least one battery, including a battery management system, said battery for providing electrical power to said propulsion device; a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply; a controller connected to said removable input connector for determining the electrical power between a plurality of outputs; a first said output connected to charge at least one said battery via said battery management system; a second said output connected to electrical devices in said habitation area including said at least one mains electrical circuit or socket; and at least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to said second output, wherein said controller limits the power directed to said first output depending on the monitored power being directed to said second output. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the use of an apparatus of another aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the use of an apparatus of a further aspect of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus of the present invention as used in figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus of the present invention as used in figure 2; Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus of the present invention as used in the vehicle of Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of figure 4. Referring initially to figures 1 and 4, a vehicle 10 is schematically represented in figure 1. The vehicle 10 is a vehicle which is designed to be used as accommodation as well as for transportation and therefore has a habitation area (which is not specifically shown in the schematic Figure 1) . The vehicle can therefore be described as a campervan or motorhome but includes any form of vehicle which can be connected to a mains electricity supply to provide mains electrical output to one or more electrical sockets 12 in the interior of the vehicle. In the example shown in Figure 1, the sockets are represented as UK standard 3 pin mains electrical sockets. However, the present invention is applicable to any form of mains electricity supply. This camping leisure load can include other devices which require a mains electrical supply, including, but not limited to, electrical heating systems, water heating systems, air conditioning and refrigeration. As well as the habitation area, the vehicle has a chassis 14 which the habitation area is built on. Four wheels 16 are attached to the chassis and are driven by an electric motor 18 which is powered by a battery 20. Although the vehicle pictured has four wheels it is possible, although unusual, to have a three wheeled campervan. An on board charger 22 controls the charging of the battery 20. The charging system on a vehicle comprises the connector 24 linked to the onboard charger 22 which is then linked to the battery management system which is in turn linked to the cells of the battery 20. The battery management system is not separately identified in the figures as it is generally considered part of the battery 20. The onboard charger 22 and battery management system can be combined but do two different jobs. The onboard charger 22 converts AC to DC (if necessary) and adjusts the voltage for charging. The battery management system controls which cells are to be charged (or discharged when driving) at any given time. Control of the charging load is managed by the battery management system through the onboard charger and then the offboard charging point (the external electrical supply) with any of these three devices being able to command reductions in load. In a standard vehicle charging scenario the offboard charging point is the power source that the vehicle is plugged into. In the present invention it is the controller 44 of the apparatus 32. As is the case in a standard electric vehicle, there is a charging port 24 which is designed to receive charge for the battery from a number of different potential charging sources including mode 2 charging (from domestic mains power), mode 3 charging (home charging from a dedicated charging supply) and mode 4 charging (commercial charging locations). However, the vehicle 10 of the present invention has an alternative power input in the form of a removable commando connector 26. The input commando connector 26 is commonly used on camping vehicles and at campsites for connecting to a mains electricity supply and is more formally identified as IEC 60309 / BS 4343 "Commando" Type socket / connector. In the context of electrical hookup powering the lighting, heating cooking in campervans and caravans it is typical that there is a relatively low maximum current draw allowed. For example, in the UK, it is typical that the maximum current, as controlled by a trip switch attached to the hookup, is 16 amps. However, in other countries such as the US, larger currents are typical with 32 amps and even 50 amp being a common maximum allowable. A cable 28 (shown in figures 2 and 3 in connection with alternative embodiments of this invention) has commando connectors at each end and one end is connected to the vehicle at the input commando connector 26 while the other end is connected to an equivalent socket attached to a mains supply 30. An electrical control apparatus 32 is connected to the input connector 26 to receive mains power and has two outputs 34 and 36. The first output 34 is connected to the on-board charger 22 via an input selector 38. This input selector uses a changeover relay to ensure that, even if the vehicle 10 is plugged into both the charging port 24 and at the input commando connector 26, power is only directed to the battery from one source. The second output 36 is connected to the outlet sockets 12 (and other electrical devices) in the habitation area of the vehicle 10. Referring now primarily to figure 4, the electrical control apparatus 32 includes an over current protector in the form of a residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection (RCBO) 40 which will trip to prevent any current from passing in the event of the current exceeding a predetermined level. After the RCBO 40, the cables divide (indicated at 41) to create the two outputs 34 and 36. Between the RCBO 40 and the camping leisure load, the sockets 12 attached to the second output 36, is a first contactor 42 which acts as a switch to allow or prevent power getting to the second output. A controller 44, which includes electric vehicle supply equipment, determines how much power is delivered to the first output 34 to charge the battery 20. A control panel and display 46 are attached to the controller 44 and allow users to see visual representations of the actions of the controller as well as allowing some limited control and / or override functions. For example, the control panel allows the user to select the maximum current that is allowed to be drawn. A second contactor 48 is located between the controller 44 and the input selector or change over relay 38. In common with the first contactor 42, a second contactor 48 can be used, under the control of the controller, to prevent the flow of power to the battery. Connected to the live cable between the point of division 41 and the second output 36, and in this embodiment before the contactor 42, is an electrical power monitoring device, in the form of a cable clamp 52, for monitoring the power directed to the second output. The cable (labelled CLAMP) from the clamp 52 is connected to the controller 44 and, as a result, the controller is able to measure the current passing through the second output 42. The present invention may be built into an electric campervan or motorhome during construction of the vehicle or may be added as an existing electric vehicle is converted into a campervan. In the latter case, a vehicle specific integration 50 is generally required which can include an intervention for controlling a cover actuator 54 for the charging connector 24. This is used to prevent the cover of the onboard charging connector 24 from being opened when the input commando connector 26 is attached to the mains supply 30. In figure 4 (and also in figures 5 and 6) the cable layouts are included with the live, neutral and earth cables labelled L, N and E respectively. Cables that connect the controller 44 to the contactors 42 and 46 and the vehicle integration unit 50 are labelled CTRL and a further cable labelled DATA connects the controller to the display 46. The other cables are labelled PP and CP. The PP cable carries a proximity pin signal indicating whether the vehicle is plugged in for standard charging. The CP is the control pilot which sets the charge rate using a pulse width modulated signal. Operation of the invention in connection with the electric vehicle 10 will now be described. The vehicle 10 arrives at a campsite and parks in an allocated pitch space. The mains supply 30 is in the form of an electric hookup and a commando connector cable 28 is used to connect the main supply to the input commando connector 26 on the vehicle. The control panel and display 46 is used to set the current limit in accordance with the limit of the supply hookup (usually displayed on the hookup). The display screen also warns the user that they are approaching the current limit on the second output side allowing them to reduce load rather than trip the circuit. It can also be used to allow the vehicle operator to decide whether the battery 20 of the vehicle 10 should be charged. Appliances within the habitation area of the vehicle 10 will begin being used once the mains supply is connected. For example, refrigerators will generally immediately start to consume power and other appliances, such as water heaters and space heaters, as well as electrical items plugged into the sockets 12 can also begin using the mains power supply. The clamp 52 measures the current passing along the live cable through the contactor 42 and to the second output 36 to which these camping leisure loads are connected. The controller 44, on receiving the measured current at the clamp 52, can determine the typical current being used at the second output 36 and therefore determine the available electrical power which can be directed to the battery 20 of the vehicle 10 without risking overloading the total power being drawn through the campsite hook up point 30. This available current for battery charging is communicated by the controller 44 to the vehicle on board charging system 22, which includes the battery management system, via the vehicle specific integration 50. As a result, the charge being provided to the vehicle battery 20 varies but ensures that the total load being drawn from the mains hook up 30 does not exceed a predetermined value and as a result, the RCBO is unlikely to be tripped due to an excess current being drawn. The two contactors 42 and 4 8 and the changeover relay 38 are provided for safety. The changeover relay 38 prevents pins being live when any charge is coming from the contactor 48 of the apparatus 32. The contactors allow and prevent the load to the battery 20 (or to the car charging 60 in later described embodiments) and to the electrical circuit / sockets 12 to be disconnected when commanded by the controller 44. The clamp 52 and controller 44 continuously monitor the power directed to the second output 36. In the event of a potential overload the response is rapid, usually less than one second. The stop response to the contactors 42 and 48 is faster still and in the order of 30mS. Typically, when the controller 44 demands a reduction in load it will revert to a stop command if the load has not fallen to the desired level. A restart will then be initiated with the lower load limit. The process of managing the power load in the event of a change in the load from the electrical circuits or outlet sockets 12 in the habitation area operates as follows. Firstly, the clamp 52 detects the load and a signal is received by the controller 44. The vehicle onboard charging system 22 is commanded to reduce load or stop depending on the increase via a variation in the pulse width modulation signal sent on the CP line. As a result, the onboard charger commands the battery management system to reduce charging current. The controller 44 then monitors current flow (through a second clamp which is internal to the charging circuit) and will issue a STOP command if the necessary reduction has not occurred. In the event that just the second output (leisure load) overloads the circuit then something will trip, it is the intention of the second contactor 42 to allow the leisure loads to be disconnected in the event that an overload is imminent thereby allowing the user to manage load rather than trip the hookup or site circuit. When a cable is connected to the input commando connector and power is being supplied to the battery 20, the onboard charging connector 24 is prevented from operating by the changeover relay 38. At the same time, the cover actuator 54 is prevented from opening by the vehicle specific integration 50 and the pins in the charging connector remain isolated from the load being supplied from the device to the car. As a result of the inclusion of the present invention, a campervan or motorhome is able to connect to an electric hookup at a campsite, operate all of the leisure load electrical items (heating, cooling, electric sockets and the like) as well as providing as much charge as possible to the battery 20 without any risk of overloading the limited current available through the hookup. In addition, the monitoring of the second output 36 ensures that the leisure load cannot exceed a preset level and the contactor can be used to prevent excess load being drawn even when the battery is not being charged. Turning now to figures 2 and 5, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown where an electric vehicle 60, such as a car, is used to tow a towable vehicle such as a caravan 62. In the description of this embodiment like reference numerals have been used for like parts wherever possible. The caravan 62 has a chassis 14 and at least two wheels 16. A tow bar 64 is fixed to the front of the caravan 62 which attaches to a reciprocal to bar 66 on the vehicle 60. As a result, the vehicle 60 can attach to and tow the caravan 62 which has a habitation area 68 which contains electrical devices and electrical outlet sockets. In this embodiment, the invention is located in the caravan 62. A commando cable 28 is used to link the mains supply 30 to the caravan 62 and the electrical control apparatus 32 is contained within the caravan. Looking particularly at figure 5, the electrical control apparatus 32 contains features that are present in the previously described embodiment and operates in a similar manner. A cable 28 connects the mains supply 32 a commando inlet 26 and an RCBO 40 protects the circuitry. At the dividing 41 a contactor 42 is located between the current measuring clamp 52 and the second outlet 36. The sockets 12 and other electrical items contained within the caravan 62 are connected to the second outlet 36. The controller 44 is connected, via a data cable, to the control panel and display 46 and a second contactor 48 is located between the controller 44 and a vehicle charge outlet connector 70. A standard vehicle charging cable 72 is used to connect the vehicle 62 the vehicle charge outlet connector 70 which is generally located on an external wall of the caravan 62. On arrival at a caravan site the vehicle 60 towing the caravan 62, the caravan is connected to the mains supply 30 by the cable 28. Electrical devices within the caravan 62, including those plugged into the sockets 12, begin to draw power from the mains supply 30, through the RCBO 40 and the contactor 42. The vehicle 60 is connected to the vehicle charge connector 70 by the charging cable 72 and charging of the battery on the vehicle 60 can commence. The current being drawn through the second outlet 36 is measured by the clamp 52 and the controller 44 determines the available remaining power which can be directed to the vehicle 60 via the contact 48 and the vehicle charge connector 70. As a result, a single hook up connection between the caravan 62 and the main supply 30 is maintained and a safe load is drawn by the vehicle 60 to charge its battery without risking overloading the mains supply. Turning now to figures 3 and 6, further embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In this embodiment the electric vehicle 60 is being used on a camping trip with a tent 80. The tent is pitched on a site with an electrical hookup mains supply 30. In this example, the electrical control apparatus 32 is a separate unit which is for use within the tent 80. The unit 32 is connected to the mains supply 30 by a cable 28 which is attached to a commando inlet 26 in the unit 32. Alternatively, the cable 28 can be wired directly into the unit 32. As previously described, an RCBO 40 protects the circuits from overload and, following the division at 41, a contactor is provided before the second outlet 36, in this instance another commando socket, is provided which is connected to the output sockets 12. It is also possible that the outlet sockets 12 in this embodiment could be contained within the same housing as the Unit 32. The clamp 52 measures the current being directed to the second outlet 36 and this clamp is in communication with the controller 44 which therefore measures the available current for charging the vehicle 60. As with the previous embodiment, a control panel and display device 46 is provided to allow operator interaction and a second contact of 48 is located between the controller 44 and the vehicle charge connector 70 which acts as the first outlet 34. Operation of this embodiment matches that described for the embodiment shown in figures 2 and 5 . It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the protection which is defined by the appended claims. For example, an alternative arrangement of the components from the first embodiment, figure 4, is shown in figure 7. In this instance the single RCBO which, in the embodiment in figure 4, is located before the divide 41 has been replaced with a pair of RCBOs located on either side of the divide thereby protecting each of the outlets separately and ensuring that even if one side overloads, the other side can remain in use. An isolator switch 82 is included before the divide 41. The same change of replacing the single RCBO with a pair of RCBOs can be made to the embodiments shown in figures 5 and 6. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, although the above embodiments have been described with separate components, some of those components can be combined into single components on a single printed circuit board assembly. The preferable arrangement for the present invention is having the clamp 52 on the live cable to the second output 36 thereby measuring the load on the second output. However, the total load could be measured adjacent the input 26, for example between the inlet and the RCBO 40, and the load to the vehicle, which is known to the processor as it is the processor instructing the vehicle onboard charging system how much power to draw, is subtracted from the total to give the load on the second output. As a well as campervans on campsites the technology of the present invention can be used on other similar vehicles such as mobile site support vehicles used on building sites and the like. The vehicles provide facilities, such as toilets, drink making and cooking and heating, in a vehicle which can be plugged into a mains supply using a commando type connector. In time these vehicles will become electric vehicles and the above described invention will be useful to provide charge to the vehicle as it is available. In the examples described above the vehicles are all wheeled vehicles such as campervans and motorhomes or electric vehicles such as cars and vans towing caravans. However, the technology of the present invention can be integrated into other 5 vehicles such as electrically powered boats and where the equivalent to a campsite hookup is a power supply provided at a mooring point in a marina or on a tow path. In this instance, the boat has a hull containing a habitation area including apparatus that uses the electrical power. There is an 10 electrically powered propulsion device to drive the boat. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, a propeller driven by an electric motor or an electric jet pump. The batteries of the boat, which power the propulsion device, are rechargeable and are connected to a device as previously 15 described for a campervan or motorhome.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, such as a campervan or motorhome, the vehicle comprising:a chassis with at least three wheels;a habitation area attached to the chassis, the habitation area containing at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket;at least one electric motor for driving a plurality of said wheels;at least one battery, including a battery management system, said battery for providing electrical power to said motors;a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply;a controller connected to said removable input connector for determining the electrical power between a plurality of outputs;a first said output connected to charge at least one said battery via said battery management system;a second said output connected to electrical devices in said habitation area including said at least one mains electrical circuit or socket; andat least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to said second output, wherein said controller limits the power directed to said first output depending on the monitored power being directed to said second output.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said electrical power is monitored by measuring current.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a second removable input connector for attaching to a second electrical supply, said second removable input connector forconnecting said second electrical supply to said battery management system for direct charging of said battery.

4. A vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein said first removable input connector comprises a commando connector.

5. A vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein said controller sends a signal to said battery management system to limit the power directed to said first output.

6. A vehicle according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one current limiting protective device.

7. A vehicle according to claim 6 wherein each said output has a current limiting protective device.

8. A vehicle according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said current limiting protective device is a residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection.

9. An apparatus for connecting a rechargeable electric vehicle to a charging supply, the apparatus comprising:a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply;a controller connected to said removable input connector for determining the electrical power output between a plurality of outputs;a first said output for connection to a rechargeable electric vehicle to charge at least one battery of the vehicle via a battery management system;a second said output connected to at least one other electrical devices using at least one mains electrical circuit or socket; andat least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to said second output, wherein said controller limits the power directed to said first outputdepending on the monitored power being directed to said second output.

10. A vehicle according to claim 9 wherein said first removable input connector comprises a commando connector.

11. A vehicle according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said controller sends a signal to the battery management system of the vehicle to limit the power directed to said first output.

12. A vehicle according to any of claims 9 to 11 further comprising at least one current limiting protective device.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12 wherein each said output has a current limiting protective device.

14. A vehicle according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said current limiting protective device is a residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection.

15. A vehicle according to any of claims 9 to 14 wherein said second output is connected to said mains socket via a commando connector .

16. A vehicle according to any of claims 9 to 15 wherein said electrical power is monitored by measuring current.

17. A towable vehicle, such as a caravan, the vehicle comprising:a chassis with a towbar and a plurality of wheels attached thereto;a habitation area attached to the chassis, the habitation area containing at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket;a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply;a controller connected to said removable input connector for determining the electrical power between a plurality of outputs;a first said output for connection to a rechargeable electric vehicle to charge at least one battery of the vehicle via a battery management system;a second said output connectedto electrical devices in saidhabitation area including saidat least one mains electricalcircuit or output socket; andat least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to said second output, wherein said controller limits the power directed to said first output depending on the monitored power being directed to said second output.

18. An electrically powered boat comprising:a hull;a habitation area attached to the hull, the habitation area containing at least one mains electrical circuit or output socket;at least one electric propulsion device for moving the boat through water;at least one battery, including a battery management system, said battery for providing electrical power to said propulsion device;a first removable input connector for attaching to a first electrical power supply;a controller connected to said removable input connector for determining the electrical power between a plurality of outputs;a first said output connected to charge at least one said battery via said battery management system;a second said output connected to electrical devices in said habitation area including said at least one mains electrical circuit or socket; andat least one electrical power monitoring device for monitoring the power directed to said second output, wherein said controller limits the power directed to said first output depending on the monitored power being directed to said second5 output.23

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