Christmas Lights

[jaiymes]

Hi folks.

We are spending Christmas in the van this year for the first time. Our problem is dealing with decorating the van with lights etc for the festive period, and just how to attach the lights to the van etc . . . ?

I would like to attach a string of lights to an awning bead and thread this through the channel on the off-side to outline the van, but on the awning side of the van, I am in a bit of a quandry as to how to attach a string of lights to our awning without damaging it, yet securing the lights safely. Can anyone out there help with some advice as to how this might be done please ?

We intend to use L.E.D. lights to reduce the consumption of electricity, but I am unsure as to how many may be used safely without inconveniencing other members on site - I dread blowing the fuse in the post . . .. so can you adivse me on roughly how many Led lights may be on with the usual itmes (tv, heating etc) without drawing too much power?

Your advice and help with these wee delemas would be just fantastic.

Kind regards

James

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi James,

You need to aware of your power consumption at all times of the year and to select the appliances you use according to the available supply, which is determined by the site operator. But in the UK you have in theory 16A, from the camp site post. That is the same as 3.6kW in total, however if everyone used the full amount it is likely to overload and trip the site supply, so aim for about a maximum load intermittent load of 3kW with a constant load of no more than 2 to 2.5kW.

All new electrical appliances have to quote their power usage in either Watts (W) or Amperes (A)

As a rough guide Each kW uses about 4.4A ( with a 230 V mains supply). So it is quite easy to add up the power the caravan will use by checking the appliance ratings.

You can do a lot with 2.5kW, run the fridge, water heater, battery charger, internal lights ans a 1kW electric heater, and the TV.

As for decorative lights, most of the LED sets only use about 15W (0.015kW) so the represent a fairly small part of the likely caravan power usage. So you could use quite few sets before the power becomes a major issue.

Do check the power ratings of the sets. It will certainly be printed on their boxes, and often the rating is also moulded into the plug in power adaptors that most of them use.

Happy Christmas

 

[foshy]

Hi,

Just come back from a Fairy lights and Fireworks weekend at a well know campsite in Hampshire. Fab weekend.

We only had a set of rope lights, but some people went full hog and had everything including snow globes, dancing Santa's, nodding reindeer etc. As for fixing to the awning, the lights will easy fit on an awning rail, inside or out - cable ties will help. On the other side of the caravan people had lights that were attached to the awning rail - seemed to be threaded though. You can also buy these sucker type hooks for Xmas lights from most DIY stores, these will not damage the caravan. People used everything from black tape (not recommended!) to throwing net style lights over the roof. As for power consumption, this did not seem to matter! We were on a 16amp supply. At the end of the day, if it's really cold and you need the heater, I guess you turn the Christmas lights off.

Have a good time.

 

[swift2008]

Hi David,

I am intrigued by your "fairy lights and fireworks" weekend - please please can you tell me which site you were on?

Thank you

 

[jaiymes]

Hi folks.

Thank you all for your comments - they are taken onboard. We wish you all the best compliments of the season which is nearly upon us. Merry Christmas.

Kind regards

James