Camping hook up

[SUNRAY]

Sorry, I know this has been done to death over the years... BUT.

My Nephew has a Motor home and is currently carrying six 25m cables because different sites demand particular cables.

The latest stated it had to be 4mm² but didn't unlock the socket for his 4mm² Blue arctic, HO7 cost him 189euros from the camp shop.

Is there a definitive type of cable for use across Europe for this application?
How many others are running into this problem?

edit: one even insisted on 25m of 1.5mm² which he fortunately has.

 

[winston1]

Never come across that problem at all. The prospect of paying €189 would either have sent me to another site, or if that was not possible managing without a hook up.

 

[securespark]

Madness. I thought my lead was overkill at 2.5milli.

Some are only 1.5.

Tell the greedy gets to shove it and move on...

 

[ericmark]

NOTE:

Typical requirements for cord extension sets
The means of connection between the caravan pitch socket-outlet and the leisure accommodation vehicle should h: an assembly of the following:
- a plug as specified in BS EN 60309-2;
- a flexible cable type H07RN-F (BS 7919) or equivalent, with a protective conductor and having the following characteristics:
- length: 25 m maximum
- for current rating 16A: minimum cross-sectional area: 2.5 mm². For higher current ratings, the cross sectional area must be chosen so that secure tripping of the overcurrent protective device is achieved at the lowest fault current calculated at the end of the cord extension set
- colour identification in accordance with Table 51.
- a connector as specified in BS EN 60309-2.

If it complies with above, can't really ask for anything more. We are suppose to be harmonised, in the UK I have had camp sites lending me a cable before now. Deposit yes, charge no.

 

[winston1]

table 51?

 

[motorbiking]

I carry two cables a 2.5mm2 and a 1.5mm2, I reverse polarity adapter and a European to hookup plug converter. Most Aires have the modern 3 pin plugs, but I found that often the camp sites have poor supplies and even have standard European sockets. Often limited to 4A. I went to one site where they charged a different fee for 4A or 10A and actually handed you a breaker for you to install in to a live consumer box.

We no longer use campsites having found that Aires are so much better. Its rare to have more than 10A power, so 90% of the time I use the 1.5mm2 cable as its easier to coil up.

If your nephew is motorhoming in france - he needs to discover aires.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Like the thieves and muggers have done.

 

[motorbiking]

Not my experience. I'm talking about camping car aires not motorway aires.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The latest stated it had to be 4mm² but didn't unlock the socket for his 4mm² Blue arctic, HO7 cost him 189euros from the camp shop.

Can't comment on the 4mm² point, but I can understand why they didn't like the cable.

The problem is (if you can bear with me, and not immediately think I've turned into Winston), AIUI there is no such thing as "arctic cable". In that it is not an official term, it does not mean anything in terms of cable performance - there is no standard for "arctic cable" which can be used.

I can fully understand a campsite operator insisting on cables to a recognised standard. And a harmonised one, not one which only exists in BS form.

Is there a definitive type of cable for use across Europe for this application?
How many others are running into this problem?

I would have thought that the CCC would be the best place to ask - they have an internet forum.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Not my experience. I'm talking about camping car aires not motorway aires.

OK

 

[motorbiking]

Some pics of typical "camping car" (Motorhome) aires in france. prices ranged from zero to typically 5-10 euro per night - very rare to pay more, without wifi, water and hookup.

 

[john4703]

There is a massive amount of information on the UK Campsite Forum. Many of the posters on there spend a lot of time camping in Europe have will know a lot about the specifics of each region. http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk it is on the camping and caravaning equipment forum

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Some pics of typical "camping car" (Motorhome) aires in france. prices ranged from zero to typically 5-10 euro per night - very rare to pay more, without wifi, water and hookup.

Do they have restrictions on the use of portable generators?

How to spoil the appearance of a nice waterway....

 

[securespark]

Do the motorhomers regularly break the rules of aires?

 

[securespark]

The law only permits 'Self Contained' motorhomes to be parked responsibly and their users to cook and sleep within them. A self-contained motorhome needs to have a toilet, water container for both fresh and waste water attached to or inside the vehicle, and you must be able to cook and sleep inside the vehicle. The law does not allow for camping, for example winding out awnings and putting out tables and chairs, or erecting a tent. If you want to camp, use a campsite.