Hi everyone, just 4 weeks to go before we depart, in the meantime however I would like to ask for comments regarding 15amp power leads in caravan parks.
This trip we will be tenting, we will be self sufficient power wise, ( duel battery etc) however we will need the services occassionally from CP's, at the park sites I want to hook up 15amp power lead and run waeco fridge, smart charger for duel battery. I will only be using these items singly ( no power boards etc, we have ample 12v lighting) If I use the 15amp lead by itself or a 10 amp lead into it are there any problems that I may be overlooking? The 15amp lead is 5mts long and in the event it is too short then I would have to use the 10amp as extension.
thanks again, have a great one, Ozi
gold dandelion said
08:14 PM Aug 31, 2010
you will need a 15amp plug on your 10 amp as your 15 amp cord should have 15amp plugs if it is a caravan cord
Peter_n_Margaret said
08:22 PM Aug 31, 2010
You should not join extension cords together.
Nor should you change plugs on leads.
I am not certain, but I think it is OK to use a 10A lead in a 15A socket. It will certainly fit OK, but not the other way around.
Cheers,
Peter
PeterD said
12:01 AM Sep 1, 2010
I take it from your question that you are not travelling with a caravan. If you are then please correct me.
If you are just plugging into a caravan park power point and not using a power board then you can just use a 10 A lead. You are not connecting a movable dwelling to the mains so it is OK. If you are using a power board it needs to be an approved one with an RCD incorporated in it.
jimricho said
08:03 AM Sep 1, 2010
Both Peters are "on the money" with this one. However I would recommend using an unmodified 15 A Caravan lead as this may give you some comeback if the lead is damaged as a result of a faulty or worn power outlet in the park's service pole. I'm speaking from recent personal experience here.
The type of power board referred to By PeterD is the OHS approved type used on construction sites, not the "el cheapo" types we use around the home. I think I saw them "on special" for $68 at Bunnings the other day but don't hold me to that.
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 08:05:21 AM
ozi2 said
08:06 AM Sep 1, 2010
PeterD wrote:
I take it from your question that you are not travelling with a caravan. If you are then please correct me.
If you are just plugging into a caravan park power point and not using a power board then you can just use a 10 A lead. You are not connecting a movable dwelling to the mains so it is OK. If you are using a power board it needs to be an approved one with an RCD incorporated in it.
Hi Peter, correct, I wont be in a caravan, just the tent ( no power required there) I just want to recharge auxillary battery briefly and then connect up waeco overnight before heading off again. Does the size of the 10amp earth pin matter in CP power point? (15amp caravan lead bigger)
Is the power board you refer to called Amp- fibian ...about $200+ or is this for home connection of caravan to domestic 240?
It's turned into an interesting question as too many of us are not aware of the consequences of getting it wrong!
jimricho said
08:10 AM Sep 1, 2010
Hi Ozi, I was editing my post when you put yours up, no it's not the amp fibian we're referring to but that would be fine to use if you have one.
Jim
ozi2 said
08:49 AM Sep 1, 2010
jimricho wrote:
Hi Ozi, I was editing my post when you put yours up, no it's not the amp fibian we're referring to but that would be fine to use if you have one.
Jim
Hi Jim, thanks for your comments, have a safe trip, Ozi
biggles said
11:59 AM Oct 19, 2010
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
You should not join extension cords together. Nor should you change plugs on leads.
I am not certain, but I think it is OK to use a 10A lead in a 15A socket. It will certainly fit OK, but not the other way around.
Cheers, Peter
Hi Peter Are you saying that it dangerous to have a 15amp cord - 15amp female end & put a 10amp male end on it. I just want to run my fridge off the Garage power point at home???? If this is wrong could you tell me why - not trying to be a smart ass - just dont understand reason - only difference between 15amp & 10amp male plug that I can see is the earth pin width ???
jimricho said
05:53 PM Oct 19, 2010
The extra width of the earth pin is to ensure that a 15 amp cord cannot be plugged into a 10 amp outlet. However.... 15 amp cords use heavier gauge wire and can carry the 15 amps continuously, without overheating and damage, provided the lead is uncoiled. 15 amp leads are also heavy duty and suitable for outdoor use whereas many 10 amp cords are light duty and only suitable for indoors. Heavy duty 10 amp cords, suitable for outdoor use are available.
Although it is illegal some people do modify their 15 amp cords for use at home and if it's only to run the fridge that in itself should not cause any damage. (is my face red?)
Note my comments above about always using an unmodified 15 amp cord at caravan parks however.
biggles said
10:42 PM Oct 19, 2010
Thanks for your reply jimricho. 2 things I'm very cautious about is Electricity & gas. I have made up a short length of 15amp lead with a 10amp plug on it to plug into power socket in my garage just to power the fridge up before we leave on a trip. The power to the plug runs from a fuse box in the garage. The power runs through 3 fuses before it gets to fridge in van.
I note your comments about only using 15 amp cord in caravan parks - my short lead stays at home when we travel.
jimricho said
07:23 AM Oct 20, 2010
biggles wrote:
Thanks for your reply jimricho. 2 things I'm very cautious about is Electricity & gas. I have made up a short length of 15amp lead with a 10amp plug on it to plug into power socket in my garage just to power the fridge up before we leave on a trip. The power to the plug runs from a fuse box in the garage. The power runs through 3 fuses before it gets to fridge in van. I note your comments about only using 15 amp cord in caravan parks - my short lead stays at home when we travel.
As there is a separate fuse box in your garage it may be a simple job for an electrician to install a 15 amp outlet for you. That way everything is legal and above board.
biggles said
09:09 AM Oct 20, 2010
jimricho wrote:
biggles wrote:
Thanks for your reply jimricho. 2 things I'm very cautious about is Electricity & gas. I have made up a short length of 15amp lead with a 10amp plug on it to plug into power socket in my garage just to power the fridge up before we leave on a trip. The power to the plug runs from a fuse box in the garage. The power runs through 3 fuses before it gets to fridge in van. I note your comments about only using 15 amp cord in caravan parks - my short lead stays at home when we travel.
As there is a separate fuse box in your garage it may be a simple job for an electrician to install a 15 amp outlet for you. That way everything is legal and above board.
Bloody hell Mate - why didnt I think of that - simple ( now who's got the red face )
This trip we will be tenting,
we will be self sufficient power wise, ( duel battery etc) however we will need the services occassionally from CP's, at the park sites I want to hook up 15amp power lead and run waeco fridge, smart charger for duel battery. I will only be using these items singly ( no power boards etc, we have ample 12v lighting)
If I use the 15amp lead by itself or a 10 amp lead into it are there any problems that I may be overlooking? The 15amp lead is 5mts long and in the event it is too short then I would have to use the 10amp as extension.
thanks again, have a great one,
Ozi
The type of power board referred to By PeterD is the OHS approved type used on construction sites, not the "el cheapo" types we use around the home. I think I saw them "on special" for $68 at Bunnings the other day but don't hold me to that.
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 08:05:21 AM
Ozi
Are you saying that it dangerous to have a 15amp cord - 15amp female end & put a 10amp male end on it. I just want to run my fridge off the Garage power point at home????
If this is wrong could you tell me why - not trying to be a smart ass - just dont understand reason - only difference between 15amp & 10amp male plug that I can see is the earth pin width ???