The campervan I have just bought has a 15 amp connection but the caravan where I currently live has only 10 amp sockets. I have overcome this problem by making up a short adapter so that I can use the 240 volts from the caravan.

The question is when using powered sites in caravan parks will I need a 15 amp lead and if so what would be the most length of lead needed? My 10 amp lead is 20 metres long and that seems ample.

Thank you,

John

Hello John ..

If you go above here to the search engine .. type in " 10 amp" .. you will see quite a lot of detail on this subject ..

Jon

jonathan wrote:

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Hello John ..

If you go above here to the search engine .. type in " 10 amp" .. you will see quite a lot of detail on this subject ..

Jon

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In addition to checking these previous posts I strongly suggest you use an approved (unmodified) 15 amp caravan lead when in a caravan park.  One reason (but not the only one) is to "cover your backside" (CYA) in the event of any issues regarding the parks supply and power outlets.  Caravan shops, hardware stores and electrical wholesalers usually stock these leads.

Also for the same CYA reason only use one continuous length of lead, do not "tandem" or "piggy back" multiple leads.  20 metres is adequate and I have an idea this is the specified maximum length. (not sure, without checking, however).

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 16th of January 2011 08:27:33 AM

yeoeleven wrote:

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The campervan I have just bought has a 15 amp connection but the caravan where I currently live has only 10 amp sockets. I have overcome this problem by making up a short adapter so that I can use the 240 volts from the caravan.

The question is when using powered sites in caravan parks will I need a 15 amp lead and if so what would be the most length of lead needed? My 10 amp lead is 20 metres long and that seems ample.

Thank you,

John

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Sorry to tell you John, but your adaptor is definitely dangerous and consequently illegal. Please don't use it. You must use a genuine 15A lead.

There is an AMP Fabian 15 to 10A adaptor available that is legal and safe. Alternatively, have an electritian fit a 15A outlet at home.

Cheers,
Peter

 

Here's the website for the Amp Fibian adaptor mentioned by Peter n Margaret

http://www.ampfibian.com.au/products.htm

Click on the underlined link

A 15 A cable is a must for caravan parks. As Jim advised you are not permitted to join cables to get enough reach. Joining cable upsets the trip time of your safety switch/breaker. Joining leads will also often make a lead that exceeds the maximum length permitted for the size of cable in the individual leads, this can result in excessive voltage loss.

I have seen ready made 15 A caravan leads available in lengths up to 25 metres. If you wish to have longer lengths manufactured fo you, you can use bigger cable than used for the common caravan leads. The followin table specifies the maximum lengths allowable for the different standard cables. It conforms to AS/NZS 3199.

Conductor area	Maximum lead length
1.5 squ mm	25 m
2.5 squ mm	40 m
4.0 squ mm	65 m

-- Edited by PeterD on Monday 17th of January 2011 02:43:47 PM

Thank you all for the advice and for pointing out the other areas where answers can be found.

I must point out that I made up the adapter not to use power in the campervan but to check out if the points there would work. I also found out that the old fridge caused the power cut off switch to trip so that will be replaced before I start the trip. The fridge that is.

Now that I know that the connections are working I will have no further need to use the adapter and I have seen official 15 amp leads for sale in camping stores for between $55 & $65 according to the length.

The Amp Fibian looks like an excellent product and if I want to use the power from the caravan to the campervan later to charge up and check out the new appliances prior to departure I will certainly retain the URL.

Thanks again,

John

Steruth! Tere are some realy heavy techys on this forum.As a marine engineer, can we keep it so everybody can understand, if possible. I thank you for your contribution, but most people don,t understand. KISS(keep it sinple, stupid)

Simple... Use an approved 15amp power cord plug it into a 15amp power point if one is available, as they are in caravan parks. If not available...either have a sparky install one...or...plug it into an "Amp Fibian" adapter, probably the more practical and less expensive option.

It is definately illegal and dangerous to plug a camper into a socket in a caravan !! Ian

Thanks for all the advice.

I have now bought a 15 amp lead already loaded onto a  wind up reel so I am now ready to plug into caravan parks when I start my travels.

I have no need to plug into the caravan socket now that I have established that the camper is correctly wired with an official cut off master switch.

John

As a newby to this forum and being a bit pedantic, as an ex electrician should be, I would like to ask PeterD where it states that you can't join leads in caravan parks, and also just how joining leads affects the trip time of your safety switch or circuit breaker. I concede that unless leads are joined in an appropriate manner, i.e. in some type of waterproof device, such as the two orange coloured devices that I think Clipsal or HPM manufactured, it is dangerous, however I can't see why "you can't join them ". Of course as you point out, there are other considerations to take into account, such as length etc. However I noticed that yeoeleven has bought a lead on a windup reel, and I think it important to emphasise that the lead must be completely unrolled from the reel whenever in use, 'cos if it isn't you may notice a slight burning smell, and find the insulation on your lead has melted

Sooch - As you worked as an electrician you should have had a complete copy of all the standards. Have a look in AS/NZS 3001. You will find the relevant section there that states that leads to portable and mobile dwellings must be in one continuous length

Sorry PeterD, I sit corrected, it's a long time since I've had a rule book in my hands. I would still however be interested in learning how joining leads can affect the trip time of an RCD.
Cheers