Thought this may be of interest to some :

Big W have  a 10mtr - 10 amp - power lead on a reel with 4 outlets --- with a built in CIRCUIT BREAKER for $30

cheers
Coyotte

is there a 15amp one.......could be used on a caravan then??

Power leads on reels not a good idea unless you completely unroll when using , leads on reels can heat up .

Smokeydk

did'nt see one --- but was under the impresion that 10 amp was now legal anyhow

cheers

Coyotte

10 amp leads have always been legal, when pluged in to a 10 amp power point.
Caravan Parks have 15 amp outlets and vans have a 15amp socket, and so a 15amp power lead must be used.
ozjohn.

why dont they have normal plugs like houses do?

coyotte wrote:

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Thought this may be of interest to some :

Big W have  a 10mtr - 10 amp - power lead on a reel with 4 outlets --- with a built in CIRCUIT BREAKER for $30

cheers
Coyotte

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This subject comes up every now and then in all the camping/ motorhome/ caravan forums.

"It is a safety requirement that we use a 15amp power lead"
This has been discussed before on this forum.

Click on Search at the top of the page and  paste in this below.

Powering the van at friends house.

Regards
Mike and Ellie

milo wrote:

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why dont they have normal plugs like houses do?

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Because the appliances in an RV's require more power than 10amps as per a house power point can safely supply.
Bit like having a Special' heavy duty power point (15amp) to the shed to run a welder etc. 
Cheers, ozjohn.

 

milo Your van cant suck enough power through your 10amp lead to power all the electrics in your van, thats why it needs 15amp. Ross

Just use candles for light if you can't plug in to a friend/family electrics...don't fall asleep before you put the candle out though but you'll probably be okay with insurance if you do as you haven't used the wrong plug. Share their heating inside....wonder what all the old cheap vans used as a teenagers retreat use for the lights and tv and anything else a teenager of today expects. If you wanted to hook up I think Peter suggested something but then said it cost a lot...so $50 or $150 an estimate would be good. Just thinking it could be cheaper than a weeks stay in a CP so worth while buying, if it costs $500 cheaper to stay in CP. Where would I buy whatever it's called ?

G'day country road, i think you're referring to a thing called an Amp-fibian and is sold by camec for $220-230.

I have an Amp-fibian and use it quite frequently .. a little expensive maybe to purchase, but it powers all I need .. of course, microwave and aircon are not catered for, but fridge, fans etc are just fine .. its legal too !

Jon (currently in Palm Cove)

In addition to the reasons outlined above many "light duty" 10 amp extension cords are not suitable for outdoor use due to their light construction. None of the appliances normally found in a van exceed 10 amps, however problems arise when appliances are used simultaneously on a 10 amp circuit.

milo wrote:

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why dont they have normal plugs like houses do?

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They do use normal plugs. Normal plugs come in 3 ratings, 10, 15 and 20 amps. They differ only in the width of the earth pin. You use the applicable plug/socket combination with the appropriate size of cable for the appropriate amount of maximum current draw expected.

 

So the ONLY thing you can do LEGALLY is buy an Amp- fibian if you want to use your van attached to someone's house electricity ? ? Can I assume this is 10amp one end and 15amp the other ? ? Wonder if they are on eBay...new or 2nd hand Never heard of them...so thankyou

We got our amp-fibian from Award RV in Melbourne and cost $220.00 and $15 postage.
Barb

Thanks for that PeterD, I did have a look, now know what it is.