Hook up cable

[Oddcouple]

What’s everyone’s idea around hook up cables? 1.5 or 2.5 cable? Not having used hookups before, is a 10m cable adequate for most uk campsites or are we looking more towards 25m? I Understand the voltage drop issues, but I’m thinking if there won’t be much load on the cable a 1.5 should be fine? 
 

All thoughts gratefully received..

[OldWellhouse]

I hate mine, it weighs an absolute ton and I havnt needed it to be as long as it is yet. I think it 15m and I might get a 5m one for easier use but then I know I'll book a pitch that needs a massive one.

Regarding girth, everyone seems to use the super heavy orange cable and that's the limit of my electrical knowledge. 

Edited May 29, 2022 by OldWellhouse

[Oddcouple]

13 minutes ago, OldWellhouse said:

I hate mine, it weighs an absolute ton and I havnt needed it to be as long as it is yet. I think it 15m and I might get a 5m one for easier use but then I know I'll book a pitch that needs a massive one.

Regarding girth, everyone seems to use the super heavy orange cable and that's the limit of my electrical knowledge. 

Massively useful info, so sounds like 10m would be fine for most campsites, and that feels quite a distance from a hook up point. I think most run at 16 amps but some saying that some of the 1.5 cables will only take 15 amps which can cause problems. A couple of the motorhome sites saying some campsites won’t let you use 1.5, but I really can’t imagine girth inspectors wandering around………

[OldWellhouse]

3 minutes ago, Oddcouple said:

Massively useful info, so sounds like 10m would be fine for most campsites, and that feels quite a distance from a hook up point. I think most run at 16 amps but some saying that some of the 1.5 cables will only take 15 amps which can cause problems. A couple of the motorhome sites saying some campsites won’t let you use 1.5, but I really can’t imagine girth inspectors wandering around………

I've read it's always better to have it too long than short when you need it obviously, but I've found so far that maybe 8-10m would be ample for most pitches I've been on, albeit that's only 5 different campsites. I'm thinking of splitting mine in half and although it'd be even heavier when together, I think I'd get away with half length most of the time.

[Oddcouple]

Just now, OldWellhouse said:

I've read it's always better to have it too long than short when you need it obviously, but I've found so far that maybe 8-10m would be ample for most pitches I've been on, albeit that's only 5 different campsites. I'm thinking of splitting mine in half and although it'd be even heavier when together, I think I'd get away with half length most of the time.

Seems that’s a fairly common thing folk are doing, splitting and taking what they need to sites as most can provide distances to hook up points before you get there. When we had the dub, never really bothered with hook ups, so all a bit new to us..

[Rojie]

Some sites are not happy with 1.5mm.

Should you accidently trip any fuses it could become awkward !

 

Regarding length, not weight, I use reusable cable ties to limit the 'notional' length and make my 25m more manageable.

 

Splitting them is OK, but they need to be watertight !

 

Keeping it partially coiled does increase inductance, but we won't go there !

[Oddcouple]

Thinking of going for 15m on 2.5. Which means I’ll panic and get 25m…..

[Pritch]

We had a 15m 'orange' cable supplied with the van, which has for 99% of the sites we have used, been more than adequate, however.....we have since bought a 25m cable in the 'blue', which is half the weight of the 15m, and had no issues with supply.

We bought the 25m one as we were on a CC site in the Lakes where we needed every inch of the 25m.

What we tend to do is ask the question of the site when booking, so we know which one to bring, but if were going to a CC site, will always take the 25m.

 

Golden rule is whatever length you have DO NOT COIL IT, spread it out as much as you can.

 

HTH

[OldWellhouse]

43 minutes ago, Pritch said:

We had a 15m 'orange' cable supplied with the van, which has for 99% of the sites we have used, been more than adequate, however.....we have since bought a 25m cable in the 'blue', which is half the weight of the 15m, and had no issues with supply.

We bought the 25m one as we were on a CC site in the Lakes where we needed every inch of the 25m.

What we tend to do is ask the question of the site when booking, so we know which one to bring, but if were going to a CC site, will always take the 25m.

 

Golden rule is whatever length you have DO NOT COIL IT, spread it out as much as you can.

 

HTH

I| didn't know you could get lighter versions. Is the blue type compliant with most pitches?

[Pritch]

According to Kazzas Cables, who make them...yes

 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caravan-Camping-Motorhome-Extension-Electric/dp/B075DGSNCB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=GUSWANTYD5XL&keywords=25m+caravan+hook+up+cable&qid=1653932089&sprefix=%2Caps%2C50&sr=8-2

 

 

HTH

Edited May 30, 2022 by Pritch

[Oddcouple]

13 minutes ago, Pritch said:

According to Kazzas Cables, who make them...yes

 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caravan-Camping-Motorhome-Extension-Electric/dp/B075DGSNCB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=GUSWANTYD5XL&keywords=25m+caravan+hook+up+cable&qid=1653932089&sprefix=%2Caps%2C50&sr=8-2

 

 

HTH

I guess that’s back to the 1.5 or 2.5 cable. The 1.5 will be lighter and even Kampa sell the cables as 1.5 so got to be accepted right? Then some saying that some sites will only accept 2.5. It’s all wonderful stuff 😂

[Pritch]

Nevr had a site NOT let me plug in my 1.5......yet lol.

 

[Rojie]

It's worth checking ebay feedback for Kazzas Cables.

 

[Rojie]

12 hours ago, Pritch said:

Nevr had a site NOT let me plug in my 1.5......yet lol.

 

 

The potential issue with 1.5mm cable (14.5A) is that it is rated at less than most campsite fuse trips (16A).

2.5mm is rated at 20A.

 

You need to be quite a consumer to need more than 14A !

[Rojie]

14 hours ago, Pritch said:

We had a 15m 'orange' cable supplied with the van, which has for 99% of the sites we have used, been more than adequate, however.....we have since bought a 25m cable in the 'blue', which is half the weight of the 15m, and had no issues with supply.

We bought the 25m one as we were on a CC site in the Lakes where we needed every inch of the 25m.

What we tend to do is ask the question of the site when booking, so we know which one to bring, but if were going to a CC site, will always take the 25m.

 

Golden rule is whatever length you have DO NOT COIL IT, spread it out as much as you can.

 

HTH

 

I agree. It is not best practice to use coiled mains lead.

If you do pull a lot of current the lead will get warmer. More current, more heat.

 

 

[Pritch]

52 minutes ago, Rojie said:

It's worth checking ebay feedback for Kazzas Cables.

 

Cheers Rojie, negative feedback seem all to do with delivery, order quantity etc, which I did check (bought via Amazon).

We plug in mainly for use with Fridge, and colder months, small heater (Kampa Diddy), charging phone/IPad when needed.

 

Apologies if sounding dim, but is it dangerous to use then, as bought as a 16A cable, thanks

[Rojie]

11 hours ago, Pritch said:

Cheers Rojie, negative feedback seem all to do with delivery, order quantity etc, which I did check (bought via Amazon).

We plug in mainly for use with Fridge, and colder months, small heater (Kampa Diddy), charging phone/IPad when needed.

 

Apologies if sounding dim, but is it dangerous to use then, as bought as a 16A cable, thanks

 

I am not, and have never been, an electrician !

 

My opinion is no it is not dangerous, but worth being aware of.

Feel the cable.

However, I certainly would not advise putting the (coiled) cable in a bag to keep it dry.

 

I have been known to place the coiled reel under the tail to keep it dry from the rain. Naughty !

 

I am not familiar with the Kamp Diddy. I doubt it draws much current; but keep it away from the sink and any drinks !

When I run a fan heater it is always on minimum heat; otherwise the van gets too hot too quickly.

 

It is worth asking the campsite what amperage their supply is?

Most are 16A, some are 10A, and some are 5A !!

Some even have zero amps !

 

[Pritch]

Cheers fella, and like you, I am not and wont be a spark....woken up too many times on the other side of a room thinking what the ....thats why they train & are Registered lol

Was thinking they wouldnt sell it as an EHU if it wasn't fit for purpose.

 

Had a caravan so know never to coil so happy there.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

[Rojie]

8 minutes ago, Pritch said:

Cheers fella, and like you, I am not and wont be a spark....woken up too many times on the other side of a room thinking what the ....thats why they train & are Registered lol

Was thinking they wouldnt sell it as an EHU if it wasn't fit for purpose.

 

Had a caravan so know never to coil so happy there.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

To be clear, I was not suggesting it is not fit for purpose, just the feedback could be better.

[OldWellhouse]

So remember when I said I hate the big heavy git hookup cable I have, I take it all back. Every inch required in Devon. 

[Oddcouple]

1 hour ago, OldWellhouse said:

So remember when I said I hate the big heavy git hookup cable I have, I take it all back. Every inch required in Devon. 

Every inch counts….

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, Oddcouple said:

Every inch counts….

Heaven in Devon