Electric lead question

[jennifer_374227268]

Hi, Just wanted to know if it was possible and safe to have a split lead on main electric lead going to caravan so that it could be used as extension lead in awning other than having leads running across floors or out through windows.

Thank you

 

[Toro]

Hi Jennifer, Anything is possible, but not always safe. And this is definitely not safe. Your site lead goes through the caravan fuse box which is also an earth leakage residual circuit breaker, which means that if you have a fault, it will trip and save you being electrocuted. If you try and take it direct from the site lead, and you have a fault, you may trip the supply to at least part of the site, if not the whole site which would make you flavour of the month by other caravanners and the site person you would have to get to restore the supply. This is why some caravans have an external socket fitted on the awning side. Otherwise you will have to take a extention out through a window or the door

 

[jennifer_374227268]

Hi Tom, thanks for quick reply. We kind of thought that but where hoping there might have been way round it or some kind of special adaptor that we could use. But its back to running leads out of windows or getting an external socket fitted.

Thanks

 

[jennifer_374227268]

Hi Tom, thanks for quick reply. We kind of thought that but where hoping there might have been way round it or some kind of special adaptor that we could use. But its back to running leads out of windows or getting an external socket fitted.

Thanks

Hi Tom, Just found this item on Towsure site would it be suitable for what i want?

http://www.towsure.com/product/15398-3-Way_Mains_Connector

 

[TonyH1]

Hi Jennifer, you could use the connector you've identified but you would need to use one of these (http://www.towsure.com/product/3214-Mini_Mobile_Mains_Unit) or (http://www.towsure.com/product/533-Awning/Tent_Mains_Kit_-_3_Outlet) as well to make it safe. You might find the site owner object to you running 2 leads though.

Have you got an outside locker which also has access inside? this would be a good route for an extension lead plugged in inside the van.

 

[Dustydog]

Jennifer

It seems to me that by the time you have bought all these extras from Towsure, for a few quid more you could do the job properly and have an external powerpoint fitted?

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[jennifer_374227268]

Think you might be right, try running lead from inside out for easter and then see about getting outside socket put in.

Thanks for advise

 

[xtrailman]

Jennifer

I would buy one of those mutiplug outlets that tenters use.

Plug this into the site mains, then from one of the 13amp outlets, connect via the blue socket to the caravan.

I assume you will use this under a awning.

 

[JamesH]

A 3-way adaptor 2P+E, 240V, blue IP44 (splashproof) is available from RS Components Ltd. Ref No. 533-7492 @

 

[xtrailman]

This is the item i was thinking of

http://www.towsure.com/product/533-Awning/Tent_Mains_Kit_-_3_Outlet

 

[Mikey1]

You cannot use the RS trade centres until you have an account or you know a company who has an account even if you pay at the time

 

[CousinJack]

I thought of doing this, but decided to fit an external socket instead. This has 2 adavantages - it's safer and it's cheaper.

I replaced the fridge mains fixed connection unit with a 2 gang switched socket (double pole switched cos I'm paranoid) and plugged the fridge into that. Then fitted the external socket and plugged it into the other socket. This means that I can choose to only have the external socket live when I want to use it.

The whole thing cost me

 

[Percy1]

Hi Jennifer

I purchased this adaptor while in germany.

http://www.fritz-berger.de/fbonline/__shop__/product/fritzberger_katalog/CEEWinkelkupplung217856/detail.jsf.
It fits in the van socket like a normal 16amp coupling but on the side facing outwards has a power socket

in conjuction I use a 2-3 fused adaptor which you can buy in most camping stores. Ive had it for 6 years now, its a shame no british company has come up with the idea yet.

for a 16amp 3 way adaptor.

 

[JTQ]

I cant open Percy's link, but I believe his socket is similar to the one I have; in this photobucket link:

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr170/ocsid3/IP44Socket.jpg
I got this some years ago at a French Marina's chandlers after see them in use, mainly by the Dutch, on the continent.

My require was and remains to get a 90 deg socket as the EHU connection is in the awning and the normal UK ones are a curse sticking out.

I have though used it for electrical equipment, BBQ & cooker in the awning, but I hasten to add via a RCD. Clearly using a French plug.

 

[Steve_5129811]

I cant open Percy's link, but I believe his socket is similar to the one I have; in this photobucket link:

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr170/ocsid3/IP44Socket.jpg
I got this some years ago at a French Marina's chandlers after see them in use, mainly by the Dutch, on the continent.

My require was and remains to get a 90 deg socket as the EHU connection is in the awning and the normal UK ones are a curse sticking out.

I have though used it for electrical equipment, BBQ & cooker in the awning, but I hasten to add via a RCD. Clearly using a French plug.

I installed a surface mounted 16A IP44 rated socket underneath the caravan on the awning side for the same reason, Our fridge master socket in the van is fused and located in the bottom cupboard so I took a cable (Artic Blue 3 core 2.5mm) from here drilled out a small hole through the floor to run the cable through then used mastic to fill in around the cable from the top and also underneath, fitted the surface mounted socket underneath the side of the van about 3ft in front of the wheel, then run the cable in a length of trunking to the socket, then using "P" clips I just clipped up the trunking underneath so alls neat, not a massive DIY task but a cheap, safe alternative to cutting the van sides, all you need then is make up a 13A socket to 16A plug extension lead at your desired length.

Hope this helps

Steve

 

[Percy1]

I cant open Percy's link, but I believe his socket is similar to the one I have; in this photobucket link:

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr170/ocsid3/IP44Socket.jpg
I got this some years ago at a French Marina's chandlers after see them in use, mainly by the Dutch, on the continent.

My require was and remains to get a 90 deg socket as the EHU connection is in the awning and the normal UK ones are a curse sticking out.

I have though used it for electrical equipment, BBQ & cooker in the awning, but I hasten to add via a RCD. Clearly using a French plug.

Hi JTQ

Yep ,that pic of your socket is exactly what I have, Like I said I use a european-uk socket adaptor however the adaptor has an in built fuse

Percy

 

[jennifer_374227268]

Thank you all for your replies, JTQ, that is the sort of thing i was looking for failing to find one of those there does seem to be away around my problem without going to to much trouble.

Now i'll get other half who will be doing the job to work on this right away.

 

[John_374394666]

Jennifer, we use a new device that sends the current wirelessly - saves all the hassle of having leads etc etc. We just plug the wireless electricity router into a socket and hey presto tell the current where to go via the switch and bob's your uncle. Towsure sell the kit, just ring and ask them.

 

[Thorpedo]

Crikey John that sounds terrific !

Now I know some chaps are concerned about having thier dangly reproductive bits fried by microwave signals and thier brains rewired by mobile phone signals, but the thought of wireless 240 volts, phew.

Well there agian, don't they call it lightening?

Nice one, 8 days too late for all fools day though.

Still laughing - Rob