The Camping Forum

[Wayne]

but the traditional scotsman is always trying to pay less .

, your welcome

[dadoc2001]

Thanks again Wayne. After 'watching' a few new (and used ) Sunncamp H.U's going fro around £40 BEFORE P&P decided to order directly from Towsure this afternoon (£43.95 delivered). Tent is gonna be like a home from home now

[ChrisR]

Wayne... What's your opinion on these..

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/mobile-mains-kit-p155317

[in-a-tent]

That looks like the Suncamp one we have, I assume it's a 25mA RCD not a 25A like it says in the details. (Ours has a 30mA RCD and pole 10A MCB)

[Wayne]

That looks like the Suncamp one we have, I assume it's a 25mA RCD not a 25A like it says in the details. (Ours has a 30mA RCD and pole 10A MCB)

Yeh I would think it means 25mA, which is a bit delicate, 30mA is the normal and is actually the one fitted as standard and by law to dwellings. Basically it means it will allow 25mA to flow to earth (or an inbalance between L and N if you prefer) before it trips, 30mA is bad enough. When you consider that everything leaks to earth and electronic stuff is the worst.

Wayne... What's your opinion on these..

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/mobile-mains-kit-p155317

Yes it looks OK from the picture, but I like to have a hold of stuff like this before I fully commit myself. What's that I ear you say, I should go to "Go Outdoors" and have a look . As Andy say's it does look like the Suncamp one which is on a sale at Towsure at the moment.

[t4newbie]

I bought one of these today from Go Outdoors
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/pennine-lei ... scTabSect1

I plan on using it in my van, as a cheaper alternative to a properly installed hookup etc. Anyway, on reading the small print it states "Do not use outdoors". I assumed this meant don't use the sockets outdoors, but I can't see anything that says it has IP44. What would be the point of an indoor hookup kit?? Go outdoors have marketed it as an outdoor camping product. Is it safe with no IP44 and that statement on the instructions?

I plan to use it for running an electric coolbox and charging phone, camera battery, maybe laptop etc. I don't want it to blow everything up when it rains. It seems to be made by a reputable firm (http://www.plsgroup.co.uk/index.php?_a= ... roductId=9 ) and sold by a lot of outlets - is it really an indoor-only lead...?

[Wayne]

I bought one of these today from Go Outdoors
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/pennine-lei ... scTabSect1

I plan on using it in my van, as a cheaper alternative to a properly installed hookup etc. Anyway, on reading the small print it states "Do not use outdoors". I assumed this meant don't use the sockets outdoors, but I can't see anything that says it has IP44. What would be the point of an indoor hookup kit?? Go outdoors have marketed it as an outdoor camping product. Is it safe with no IP44 and that statement on the instructions?

I plan to use it for running an electric coolbox and charging phone, camera battery, maybe laptop etc. I don't want it to blow everything up when it rains. It seems to be made by a reputable firm (http://www.plsgroup.co.uk/index.php?_a= ... roductId=9 ) and sold by a lot of outlets - is it really an indoor-only lead...?

Yes its OK, you are relying on the fact that the EHU point you plug into has an RCD and also over-current protect, which is acceptable. Its say's its for in-door use because it does not have an RCD built in to it, but if you are protected by the site EHU points RCD then its fine to use outdoors. Also when an item say's it is IP44 that means without anything plugged in and the flaps closed. You would use a normal extension lead plugged into your mower in the garden and that has no IP rating against rain, but then you don't mow in the rain.

`

This is a true water resistant plug and socket for outdoor use by Lewden, (IP66 and can take a direct hosepipe hit)



Same with this Masterseal socket, it allows a standard plug to be inserted and then the lid closes and seals around it making it safe against most water and offers IP56 with the lid closed.

So the bottom line is, if you are plugging into a EHU that looks like its been maintained and the unit is in your tent / caravan for use with basic camping stuff as you mentioned then you will normally be OK assuming the site tests its equipment . I have to be honest and admit that my EHU set up relies on the campsite and I don't have my own RCD, although It is one item I plan to upgrade at some point.

[Rob-merlin1973]

I have to be honest and admit that my EHU set up relies on the campsite and I don't have my own RCD, although It is one item I plan to upgrade at some point.

Naught naughty ...

Have to admit mine is the same

home made with blue plug , 25 metres of cable and a double socket.

[in-a-tent]

We've got a proper EHU with RCD and MCB and it's IP44, and it clips to the poles ... now, where is the smug looking smiley

[Wayne]

I have to be honest and admit that my EHU set up relies on the campsite and I don't have my own RCD, although It is one item I plan to upgrade at some point.

Naught naughty ...

Have to admit mine is the same

home made with blue plug , 25 metres of cable and a double socket.

Do you plan to replace it at some point with a proper EHU unit (you can still turn your existing lead into an EHU extender if you get a blue socket, which I might have in the shed )
I guess like everything you slowly improve and build your kit over time and for me the home made bit was a quick fix, which I do feel a little ashamed of.

We've got a proper EHU with RCD and MCB and it's IP44, and it clips to the poles ... now, where is the smug looking smiley

True, true. But out of interest. Have you a certificate for your set-up to confirm its been tested. I'm betting No, they do not normally test them as it lies to you to confirm it works every twelve months (might actually be 6months for camping and caravan sites, will have to check the regulations tomorrow.

Which just gives me a thought, which I'll mention over on the camp-out page.

[in-a-tent]

We've not had it tested no, but then again we've only had it 2 weeks and only used it once

[Wayne]

We've not had it tested no, but then again we've only had it 2 weeks and only used it once

Yes but that's my point, they are not tested as such by the manufacturer, we buy this stuff assuming its all ok, but you know yourself how many new things fail to do the job. All our equipment at work has to be tested and entered on the equipment register the day its purchased and brought onto a site.
I was thinking about bringing my tester to the campout and testing any units for members and then I can post the test certs on for anyone who is interested.

Note, whilst a manufacturer might test it to prove it works and is wired up correctly, they are not obliged to prove the RCD actually trips in the given time to the regulations.

[Rob-merlin1973]

Do you plan to replace it at some point with a proper EHU unit (you can still turn your existing lead into an EHU extender if you get a blue socket, which I might have in the shed )
I guess like everything you slowly improve and build your kit over time and for me the home made bit was a quick fix, which I do feel a little ashamed of.

Not this season but over the winter i think i will invest in one.

[Wayne]

Do you plan to replace it at some point with a proper EHU unit (you can still turn your existing lead into an EHU extender if you get a blue socket, which I might have in the shed )
I guess like everything you slowly improve and build your kit over time and for me the home made bit was a quick fix, which I do feel a little ashamed of.

Not this season but over the winter i think i will invest in one.

Yeh, I was thinking a Christmas present,,,,,,,,cheap as chips in November, will you be camping out Boxing day in the garden to test it out, I ask myself ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,why would that be so wrong .

[Rob-merlin1973]

Don't have a garden mate

I did fit an inline RCD to the lead but could not test it so we went camping and the lead was dead.

Ended up taking the RCD off