Mains UK Adaptor Lead for Caravan Electric Hook Up

[mummyalex]

Are these worth buying for when we're at home and want to 'try' the caravan out?

Also would we be able to use a normal kettle, toaster, lamps etc in the caravan with the electric hook up lead once we're on a site, or do we have to buy low watt ones?

I'm a touring caravan virgin, I haven't even collected the caravan yet but already getting nervous and confused, so much so I might just forget about the whole thing! Got so many questions about everything! Can anyone help me please?

Thank you

x

 

[jacky3]

hi

depending on the site ampage,you ARE limited to the amount of electricity you can draw at any one time.

calculator here http://www.batterypack.co.za/invertorcalculator.htm

if you have a 230 volt system(as we have)then you plug in a high wattage electrical kettle(3kw = 3000 watts)

divide 3000 by 230 volts = 13.04 amps

then plug in a toaster 2kw =2000watts divided by 230 volts = 8.69 amps which equates to 21.27 amps......now your electric has just tripped and probably half the site on some bollards lol.yes low wattage items are good but not essential on some sites,it is all about knowing what you can and cant plug in together.16 amp sites you will not always get this at peak periods,you might only get 13 or so,so you really do have to be careful.as you can imagine,most caravans these days are geared up for domestic type electric flow.....unfortunately not practical.10 amp and 5 amp sites are therefore worse still to limit the appliances you can use.

 

[Afyfe]

Rather than saying "worth buying" an adapter is essential if you want to connect the caravan to your house electrics.

Unless of course your house is full the "blue" type of industrial sockets.

If you have too many electrical items on at the same time the caravan circuit breaker will trip on overload.

For example if you have the caravan heater on full and also your domestic kettle this would trip the circuit breaker.

 

[Wolfie]

I would advise get low wattage appliances for your 'van - you won't make many friends if you keep tripping the site electrics!

Having said that, don't worry about being a new vanner - you will find most people will be only too willing to give you help and advice when you get on site. We were all first timers once!

Enjoy!

 

[RayS]

Hi, quite a lot of your questions are answered in the Beginners section of this website - just look near Forum on the home page. Would suggest too that you consdier joining a club. Can't speak for C&CC but Caravan Club handbook has lots of good stuff about hook-ups, loading, wattages etc. and they have quite a lot of technical notes that con be downloaded by members e.g. on leisure batteries and on tyres.

 

[mummyalex]

hi

depending on the site ampage,you ARE limited to the amount of electricity you can draw at any one time.

calculator here http://www.batterypack.co.za/invertorcalculator.htm

if you have a 230 volt system(as we have)then you plug in a high wattage electrical kettle(3kw = 3000 watts)

divide 3000 by 230 volts = 13.04 amps

then plug in a toaster 2kw =2000watts divided by 230 volts = 8.69 amps which equates to 21.27 amps......now your electric has just tripped and probably half the site on some bollards lol.yes low wattage items are good but not essential on some sites,it is all about knowing what you can and cant plug in together.16 amp sites you will not always get this at peak periods,you might only get 13 or so,so you really do have to be careful.as you can imagine,most caravans these days are geared up for domestic type electric flow.....unfortunately not practical.10 amp and 5 amp sites are therefore worse still to limit the appliances you can use.

So...if I was to buy a 750watt kettle that'll be fine? What watt toaster should I go for? In other words buy all 'travel' or caravan suitable equipment?

 

[jacky3]

So...if I was to buy a 750watt kettle that'll be fine? What watt toaster should I go for? In other words buy all 'travel' or caravan suitable equipment?

hi,

we have a 1700 watt kettle and a 850 watt toaster which equates to approx 12 amp,this is usually fine when on 16 amp hook up,but no good when on 10 amp unless you use them individually ie boil kettle then use toaster(just make sure nothing else like water heater or heating is on the same time)its just a matter of getting into a routine,switch one off to switch one on and vice versa.you will find that low wattage appliances take longer to boil or toast than high wattage appliances.its all in the fun of caravanning.....everything goes off mid cooking when someone switches summit on they shouldn't lol.

 

[jacky3]

hi,

we have a 1700 watt kettle and a 850 watt toaster which equates to approx 12 amp,this is usually fine when on 16 amp hook up,but no good when on 10 amp unless you use them individually ie boil kettle then use toaster(just make sure nothing else like water heater or heating is on the same time)its just a matter of getting into a routine,switch one off to switch one on and vice versa.you will find that low wattage appliances take longer to boil or toast than high wattage appliances.its all in the fun of caravanning.....everything goes off mid cooking when someone switches summit on they shouldn't lol.

then when you are down to 5-6 amp....its gas usage...we use a kettle on gas ring,eat untoasted bread and shiver lol

 

[mummyalex]

then when you are down to 5-6 amp....its gas usage...we use a kettle on gas ring,eat untoasted bread and shiver lol

Well, we've decided for the time being (once we know exactly what we will use whilst caravanning) we're going to use our whistling kettle and the ovens grill if we want toast. Seems to make sense. I suppose its all a learning curve. Thanks Klarky

 

[Robtel]

Hi Alex,

Re the adaptor for your hook up cable - if ,like me, you store your caravan at home these are very useful. You would be able to switch on your fridge for a day or so before you go, get it cooled down so that any food placed in it for the journey remains fresh for your arival. You can also power your vacuum cleaner if you want to give the van a clean up after/before a trip. Helps too if you are doing some work in the van in the cooler weather and you can get the electric heating on. For a relatively low cost I find they are a useful accessory to have.

Robert

 

[RegandPat]

I to was a bit worried about the tripping of the electric but I soon over come this, if it happens just send the wife out to complain to the site manager, one flutter of her eye lashes and a flash of her knee should do the trick.

After about two days on our first site my Pat was put in charge of resetting all trip switches on site.

PS. only joking.

 

[Woody3]

I to was a bit worried about the tripping of the electric but I soon over come this, if it happens just send the wife out to complain to the site manager, one flutter of her eye lashes and a flash of her knee should do the trick.

After about two days on our first site my Pat was put in charge of resetting all trip switches on site.

PS. only joking.

Get yourself a wall-mounted CEE47 (i.e. blue) outlet socket, wire it up with suitable cable (1.5mm or bigger), mount the socket at a convenient place on the house outside wall, drill a hole through the wall, push the cable through, fit a 13A plug on the other end, and plug in. You now have an outside outlet (that you can easily isolate) into which you can plug your normal EHU cable.

Simples?