which adapter for french hookup?

[paul_374300602]

Hi

We are taking the van to France this year so need to adapt our hookup plug to fit the french style power socket. I have got an adapter for plugging into their version of our 3 pin plug as you would use in a hotel etc. Can Ijust use this to plug into their power outlet then plug in my 3 pin to blue plug in the back. Or is their 2 pin site socket different to their 2 pin domestic socket?

Paul.

 

[ThePlotter]

Paul go to your local caravan dealer and buy the proper French adaptor which will plug into their electric box and your normal caravan blue plug goes into that(most sites these days have English plugs anyway)

While you are at it buy the two blue UK plugs(male and female)and couple of feet of the orange mains cable and wire them up but on one of the plugs(doesnt matter which)reverse the positive and neutral wires.This will give you an adaptor to use in the case of reversed polrity which is quite common and potentially very dangerous if you do not add the adaptor(When needed I fit mine at the van end and put it into the box where you plug into the van that way it is dry and thief proof.

Finally at the caravan shop buy a polarity tester that plugs into the 3pin sockets in the van and tells you if you need the reverse polarity adaptor or not.I hope that helps.

 

[Rioja]

Great advice and tips. I'm in the same position , so I will sort that tomorrow !

 

[ThePlotter]

Always works for me,you will not have any problems,there is always plenty of folk who will help the same as over here.

If I or others can help further shout up.

 

[paul_374300602]

Thanks for that 'The Plotter' looks like you've sorted two of us in one go.thanks again

Paul.

 

[ColinA]

Paul go to your local caravan dealer and buy the proper French adaptor which will plug into their electric box and your normal caravan blue plug goes into that(most sites these days have English plugs anyway)

While you are at it buy the two blue UK plugs(male and female)and couple of feet of the orange mains cable and wire them up but on one of the plugs(doesnt matter which)reverse the positive and neutral wires.This will give you an adaptor to use in the case of reversed polrity which is quite common and potentially very dangerous if you do not add the adaptor(When needed I fit mine at the van end and put it into the box where you plug into the van that way it is dry and thief proof.

Finally at the caravan shop buy a polarity tester that plugs into the 3pin sockets in the van and tells you if you need the reverse polarity adaptor or not.I hope that helps.

Plotter is the english plug differet than the welsh scottish and irish plugs

 

[ThePlotter]

Colin A ,yes the English plugs are different a bit like prescriptions etc the English pay and the folk from over the two borders get them free at our expense.

 

[David.O]

paul

Just as the plotter said , I have 2 sets of these plugs one wired "correctly" and the other reversed. The reversed on has red flex.but always test with your tester, an important bit of kit. Another tip and more expense I fear, as already said alot of sites have 16amp fittings as seen in the UK. always test these for polarity they can be reversed so I carry a reversed adapter for these.also watch for amp loading some sites go down to 3 amps while others will give you a choice and charge accordingly. Have fun.

David

 

[ThePlotter]

Magazines when discussing this topic say to mark the one that has been wired 'the wrong way round' I can never understand why,how do you confuse a lead that is 2 feet long with the correctly wired one which is 25metres long!