I had the same problem.  Go to the techies corner.  It is all covererd in that forum.  You can't use a 10amp outlet to power 15 amp.  It is illegal.  There are several threads.

Cheers and again welcome.  This is a great source of information for new old people!

Such bravery, starting a 15 amp extension lead thread! It will attract 73 different opinions (none of them helpful) and end in tears.

The short answer is: if ALL you want to run is the fridge, use a 10amp lead.

IF you also want to run the aircon, microwave, 150cm plasma TV, electric kettle, electric frypan, hairdryer, pizza maker and fan-forced oven as well, maybe you should look at the 15amp option (and/or a VERY big generator for when you go bush).

(Puts on flak jacket and ducks for cover).

Cheers, Tony

Tony can you put a 10 amp lead into a 15 amp socket on a caravan

No Buffy, it doesn't fit. Basically there are two legal options. 1. Have a 15A power point fitted (usually in the meter box is the cheapest option) or 2. buy an Ampfibian adaptor which plugs into a 10A power point & has a 15A socket on it with a protective circuit breaker between the two. Number 2 is by far the best option if you're not retaining ownership of the house or intend plugging in at relatives/friends places at times. Love the van by the way. Good luck on your travels & hope to meet you out there somewhere. Excitement plus now for us as house settlement is three weeks away & still heaps of stuff to get rid of.

Darrell & Sandra

oldboar wrote:

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No Buffy, it doesn't fit. Basically there are two legal options. 1. Have a 15A power point fitted (usually in the meter box is the cheapest option) or 2. buy an Ampfibian adaptor which plugs into a 10A power point & has a 15A socket on it with a protective circuit breaker between the two. Number 2 is by far the best option if you're not retaining ownership of the house or intend plugging in at relatives/friends places at times. Love the van by the way. Good luck on your travels & hope to meet you out there somewhere. Excitement plus now for us as house settlement is three weeks away & still heaps of stuff to get rid of.

Darrell & Sandra

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 Thanks for all your help. So far I am liking option no 2!! So where does one get the ampfibian adaptor? Rough idea of cost?

we are also storing caravan at a friends so don't want to change or add to their household power. 

And thanks for the good wishes! Hopefully see some of you out there!

vicki and bryan

Pretty sure Bunnings have them.

Darrell & Sandra

brickies wrote:

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Dutchy it would be the small earth pin on the 10 amp lead going into the large earth socket on 15 amp receiver , Jon I beleive that 15 amp power does run off 240 v power the difference is the 15 amp lead is much thicker than 10 amp lead

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 You cannot plug a 10 amp socket into the van it will not fit unless you enlarge the 10amp earth slot  in the socket of the lead, this of course is illegal, the 10amp lead is exactly as stated it is rated to safely carry 10 amps the 15amp lead can safely carry 15amps the lead for a caravan has a larger earth pin on both the socket and the plug.

Buffy 61 I have sent you a PM

Cheers

David

Ihad a sparky friend make me a very short power lead..

Male 10amp 'male' end to plug into my shed 240V,  and 'female' 15amp plug to fit the input on my caravan.

Is great for running the fridge and a light while getting packed and ready for next adventure.

Works a treat for me.

-- Edited by Ole_Grizzly on Sunday 17th of February 2013 10:28:18 AM

I use the "Ampfibian" as I was told you are not covered by insurance if anything goes wrong. The first thing they check is how you were connected to power.

I also have a spare lead to use with Apmfibian which is 15 amp lead with 10 amp plugs , I still think using a 10 amp lead to the Ampfibian then going into 15 amp lead dosen't add up to me

Thanks everyone! $150 from jayco sounds cheap cos the cheapest I have found so far is on eBay at $220! Will go for a wander at Bunnings and report back for other newbies! :)

Just thought I might throw in my 2 cents worth ,after being in the electrical indrusty for over 50 years and I hear of people who would risk life and limb for a few dollars having a lead made up with a 10amp plug on one end and a 15amp socket on the other with no protection in between is not only dangerous but highly illegal ,the adaptor that is available is supplied with a 10amp lead and plug and fitted with a 15amp socket,but in between them both is a 10amp circuit breaker which protects the 10amp cable and plug so it does not matter what you plug in you cannot draw more than 10amps and the unit will keep tripping till you reduce the load if you exceed 10amps ,so there by protecting the 10amp cable. So there is only 2 viable options if you want 15amp supply at home install a 15amp outlet or if you have a problem on the road with a 10amp socket only available get yourself a proper adapter

regards
peter m

I bought my amphibian from their site and got a limited edition red one. Most of my stuff is red, including the new XTrail I have just bought. I had a lead with a 10 amp one end and a 15 amp the other which was made up by a friend but I only used a couple of times but then ditched it because you are in BIG trouble if anything goes wrong. You will null and void your house insurance and your trailer insurance as well as being charged by the fire department because of its illegality. I only ever used mine to charge the battery up while I was at home as a friend (the same friend) put a caravan outlet on my little camper trailer as he felt that leads just running into the tent were dangerous and a hazard particularly if there were kids about.

Duck for cover as much as you like OleGrizzley but kiss your a**e goodbye if anything goes wrong. Your insurance company will think you're the greatest thing since sliced bread. Only been in the electrical game for 45 years (dealing with insurance claims off & on for most of them) but you go with your mate. Hope he covers any damage for you if it occurs

Darrell & Sandra