Electricity on site

[kbrad]

I’m on a cmc site where you get 16a electric with your pitch fee,next to me is 2outfits who are together,they have a 2kw heater in the awning where they wine dine and listen to music they do close down about 10 o clock but the heater is on 24/7
Would it not be possible for the 2major clubs and commercial site s to have a standardised card meter,interchangeably at all sites .The cards could bought from the site reception.Any electric not used can be carried on to your next trip The meters can be set so they all charge the same KWh.The cards can be of different values so you can buy what’s best for you
Also this should be easier to set prices for pitch fees

 

[otherclive]

The sooner all pitches are charged for usage the better. But such idiots would probably be quite happy to pay. Not only does their behaviour impact in the costs charged to the wider membership users, but it’s environmentally irresponsible.

 

[Dustydog]

Totally with Clive . 👍👍

 

[Mr Grumpy]

I’m on a cmc site where you get 16a electric with your pitch fee,next to me is 2outfits who are together,they have a 2kw heater in the awning where they wine dine and listen to music they do close down about 10 o clock but the heater is on 24/7
Would it not be possible for the 2major clubs and commercial site s to have a standardised card meter,interchangeably at all sites .The cards could bought from the site reception.Any electric not used can be carried on to your next trip The meters can be set so they all charge the same KWh.The cards can be of different values so you can buy what’s best for you
Also this should be easier to set prices for pitch fees

Not that it will do much good but have you tried reporting it to the wardens or the CAMC?

Highlighting it on here may get it off your chest but will do not much to rectify the situation.

 

[Mel]

Totally with Clive . 👍👍

Me too
mel

 

[ProfJohnL]

I would be inclined to give the site operator a head up about the use of the awning heater, pointing out how their usage is actually pushing up your site costs. Some sites do actually state that electric awning heaters are forbidden. If the site you on has this clause definitely report them.

 

[Alan C]

  The CAMC are trialing smart meters at Wyatts Covert at the moment.

 

[toad a caravan]

I’m on a cmc site where you get 16a electric with your pitch fee,next to me is 2outfits who are together,they have a 2kw heater in the awning where they wine dine and listen to music they do close down about 10 o clock but the heater is on 24/7
Would it not be possible for the 2major clubs and commercial site s to have a standardised card meter,interchangeably at all sites .The cards could bought from the site reception.Any electric not used can be carried on to your next trip The meters can be set so they all charge the same KWh.The cards can be of different values so you can buy what’s best for you
Also this should be easier to set prices for pitch fees

I don't know the price of buying and installation of such devices I would assume the cost would be recouped by increasing the overall cost to everyone..may be perhaps if possible to enforce existing rules as already been stated also a reminder to all users not to waste energy thus keeping future prices at a more favourable level for all.Gary

 

[Buckman]

I don't know the price of buying and installation of such devices I would assume the cost would be recouped by increasing the overall cost to everyone..may be perhaps if possible to enforce existing rules as already been stated also a reminder to all users not to waste energy thus keeping future prices at a more favourable level for all.Gary

The meters and fitting would need to be bought at the expense of the club. The club would be responsible for the maintenance of the meters as they are a "private" purchase. This the easy part.

If someone complains that they have been unfairly charged for electric and that the cost is incorrect, this creates a dispute and it would cost the club money to pay a private electrician to check the calibration of the installed meters. This will give them a bigger headache than anything else. Does not matter if the complainant is trying to pull a fast one or not.

Trying to recoup the cost of the calibration will prove just about impossible although it will probably cost in excess of £300. The electrician needs to fit a device that also measure the kw used and then after about a month compare readings. Only at that point can they decide if calibration is necessary.

 

[toad a caravan]

The meters and fitting would need to be bought at the expense of the club. The club would be responsible for the maintenance of the meters as they are a "private" purchase. This the easy part.

If someone complains that they have been unfairly charged for electric and that the cost is incorrect, this creates a dispute and it would cost the club money to pay a private electrician to check the calibration of the installed meters. This will give them a bigger headache than anything else. Does not matter if the complainant is trying to pull a fast one or not.

Trying to recoup the cost of the calibration will prove just about impossible although it will probably cost in excess of £300. The electrician needs to fit a device that also measure the kw used and then after about a month compare readings. Only at that point can they decide if calibration is necessary.

That would I assume would therefore be passed on to all us happy users..I think prof John had a valid and logical with regard to being made aware of any site rules ..Gary

 

[Raywood]

I would agree the use of the eaters in this way is unacceptable and even worse considering this is a CL and a small site owner is being it. I would speak to he owner and see what he thinks.

 

[Dustydog]

Twice this year we have enjoyed payg meters, one coin , one prepaid card, all at the standard domestic KWh rate.
The cost of these units is surprisingly inexpensive. Fitting to an existing EHU does not look like a labour intensive job,

Buckman raises an important issue, calibration. When did we last have our home meter checked? Not once in 20 years. Our usage and costs always appear well aligned.
As fas as I know site meters do not require periodic re calibration. Apparently they shouldn’t need re calibration over their whole life span. No doubt one of our electrical experts will explain if this the case?

Here’s an example of a payg meter

1 Way 32A Smartcard Metered Caravan Hook-Up Unit

Data sheet This cost effective and hard-wearing 1way hook-up unit is suitable for all caravan and holiday parks. With its IP44 interlock sockets, this hook-up unit ensures a safe and secure electrical connection(s). Equipped with SmartCard metering, providing pre-payment electricity metering to...

voltmonkey.co.uk

 

[RogerL]

Twice this year we have enjoyed payg meters, one coin , one prepaid card, all at the standard domestic KWh rate.
The cost of these units is surprisingly inexpensive. Fitting to an existing EHU does not look like a labour intensive job,

Buckman raises an important issue, calibration. When did we last have our home meter checked? Not once in 20 years. Our usage and costs always appear well aligned.
As fas as I know site meters do not require periodic re calibration. Apparently they shouldn’t need re calibration over their whole life span. No doubt one of our electrical experts will explain if this the case?

Here’s an example of a payg meter

1 Way 32A Smartcard Metered Caravan Hook-Up Unit

Data sheet This cost effective and hard-wearing 1way hook-up unit is suitable for all caravan and holiday parks. With its IP44 interlock sockets, this hook-up unit ensures a safe and secure electrical connection(s). Equipped with SmartCard metering, providing pre-payment electricity metering to...

voltmonkey.co.uk

The cost of meters isn't high - this unit https://www.anymeters.co.uk/products/sdm120a-mid can be fitted in the existing cabinet for £29 plus fitting cost which would be minimal if done at time of original installation - other units are available for £150-250 which accept coin/token payment.

 

[Buckman]

The cost of meters isn't high - this unit https://www.anymeters.co.uk/products/sdm120a-mid can be fitted in the existing cabinet for £29 plus fitting cost which would be minimal if done at time of original installation - other units are available for £150-250 which accept coin/token payment.

Apologies but I should have made it clear. I was referring to coin or card meters. However electricians are not cheap these days so fitting charges could be an issue.
Domestic meters excluding Smart meters were supposed to be read at least once every 2 years and changed every 10 or 20 years. I think it is the latter, but unsure now with all the changes.

 

[RogerL]

Apologies but I should have made it clear. I was referring to coin or card meters. However electricians are not cheap these days so fitting charges could be an issue.
Domestic meters excluding Smart meters were supposed to be read at least once every 2 years and changed every 10 or 20 years. I think it is the latter, but unsure now with all the changes.

Our electric meter was the original; from the 1976 build until replaced by a smart meter - the gas meter is still the original so I'm not sure there's a change time scale.

 

[Buckman]

Our electric meter was the original; from the 1976 build until replaced by a smart meter - the gas meter is still the original so I'm not sure there's a change time scale.

There definitely was a time scale as the meters were mechanical. However it seemed they only changed the meter if there was a complaint. It was the supplier that request a meter change and for this there was a charge of about £60 so the supplier never requested the change. Obviously that cost of £60 has more than doubled within the past few years.

 

[Dustydog]

The cost of meters isn't high - this unit https://www.anymeters.co.uk/products/sdm120a-mid can be fitted in the existing cabinet for £29 plus fitting cost which would be minimal if done at time of original installation - other units are available for £150-250 which accept coin/token payment.

As I said and I agree the costs and longevity of the kit is amazingly inexpensive 👍

 

[Beardy]

I've only stayed at one site ever - I'm a caravaning newby. They had a card system operated by the owners. The pitch fee included 10kW per day - at the start of our stay they loaded the meter with 40kW for 4 nights then checked the meters daily to let us know if we were likely to need more. Seems perfectly fair to me. We used 28kW over the 4 nights but we only had heating on for half an hour each morning. The next one we have booked charges an extra £5 per day for EHU but I don't think there are any limitations on use other than no awning heaters or charging EV's. No doubt we'll use more as the weather is cooler but I guess I won't know how much if it's not metered.

 

[Hutch]

I find using awning heaters wrong, we all caravan/camp in different ways. But seeing people in the autumn sitting in the awning wicker chairs with full lights on and heaters going , watching a TV gets right up my back.
Ok if you want to sit out around a fire pit, ( if you can find a site that allows it) ok.
Once your on PAYG ( Pay As You Go) no problems.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I'm all for paying for what you use, and at least with electricity, there are enforceable regulations concerning what you can be charged for it. The alternative is to limit the amount you can use possibly by prepayment.

The question of calibration of meters is important especially where they are used for determining what a customer is charged. Trading standards of the local authority should be able to advise about how frequently privately owned meters should be checked and or calibrated as it falls under weights and measures regulations.

 

[Buckman]

For a CL to install 5 card or coin meters at a cost of approximatel5 £250 each for meter only isn't viable as it would take them a very long time to break even. A private meter unfortunately does not have to be calibrated ever and there is not much anyone can do about it.

 

[Dustydog]

It seems there is a Law covering meters,The Meters (Certification) Regulations 1998.

HMG also issue a massive list of every meter used in the U.K.. Each is given a certification period ranging from 10 -45 years. Amazing! But will I lose sleep, no😉

 

[Buckman]

It seems there is a Law covering meters,The Meters (Certification) Regulations 1998.

HMG also issue a massive list of every meter used in the U.K.. Each is given a certification period ranging from 10 -45 years. Amazing! But will I lose sleep, no😉

There is legislation for meters fitted by the meter operator for registered suppliers, but after the main meter those sub-meters are private and not subject to the legislation regarding calibration etc They never have to checked or maintained.

 

[toad a caravan]

When it comes down to the crunch are the site owners willing to incur the cost of supply and installation and maintenance of meters ,will the users be happy to pay increases tariffs or will it be left to those thoughtless people to have their way,I suspect the .I agree with prof Johns comment of informing all energy users perhaps by a code of conduct

 

[RogerL]

When it comes down to the crunch are the site owners willing to incur the cost of supply and installation and maintenance of meters ,will the users be happy to pay increases tariffs or will it be left to those thoughtless people to have their way,I suspect the .I agree with prof Johns comment of informing all energy users perhaps by a code of conduct

I don't see that a Code Of Conduct would change anything - the majority don't waste energy so no change there - and the minority will just continue taking the view "I've paid for electric in the pitch fee so I'll use what I want"