Plugging caravan into house power. Is it ok?

Jamjar · Senior Member

Plugging caravan into house power. Is it ok?

KFT · Guru

J. If your friends have a 15 amp outlet then all will be fine.

If not you can purchase a legal adaptor to do the job and there are several models at varying prices

One like this is about $129 at Jaycar

Perfectly legal and weatherproof.

frank

Jamjar · Senior Member

KFT wrote:
J. If your friends have a 15 amp outlet then all will be fine.

If not you can purchase a legal adaptor to do the job and there are several models at varying prices

One like this is about $129 at Jaycar

Perfectly legal and weatherproof.

frank

No they don't, Frank. Thanking you, I'll get one.

J.

Long Weekend · Guru

I know that people do connect their vans into their 10-Amp house power but as Jamjar notes it is illegal.

Should there be a short or overload in the van and the house circuits are fried or cause a fire you would be in big trouble insurance wise.

I have one of those torpedo shaped ones which are also waterproof but cost a lot more than the Jaycar ones.

Murray

old ab · Member

Looked on Jaycar site and couldnt find it,,What is it called please??

Jamjar · Senior Member

old ab wrote:
Looked on Jaycar site and couldnt find it,,What is it called please??

I just bought it on EBay for $69 which included postage, but without the waterproof case.

J.

RV Power Solution 15A TO 10A Adaptor New 240V RCD Caravan RV Powertech MS-4044

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

I know it may not be legal to plug the van into a 10 socket in the house, but I fail to see how the house wiring would be compromised, as if there is an overload the circuit breaker on the house circuit will trip if there is earth leakage the house RCD will trip if a complete short circuit in the van or lead leading to the van the house circuit breaker will definitely trip.
The van is just another large appliance sitting on the end of a long extension lead.
Yes I know it is illegal and manufacturers have found out they can take a few more dollars off caravanners, as all the adapter does, is insert an additional circuit breaker and RCD between the van and the house which already has the same protection out at the house switchboard.
I also wonder does the unit sold on Ebay meet Australian standards as the seems to be no mention in the listing regards Australian approval.
Cheers
David

Jamjar · Senior Member

Roving-Dutchy wrote:
I know it may not be legal to plug the van into a 10 socket in the house, but I fail to see how the house wiring would be compromised, as if there is an overload the circuit breaker on the house circuit will trip if there is earth leakage the house RCD will trip if a complete short circuit in the van or lead leading to the van the house circuit breaker will definitely trip.
The van is just another large appliance sitting on the end of a long extension lead.
Yes I know it is illegal and manufacturers have found out they can take a few more dollars off caravanners, as all the adapter does, is insert an additional circuit breaker and RCD between the van and the house which already has the same protection out at the house switchboard.
I also wonder does the unit sold on Ebay meet Australian standards as the seems to be no mention in the listing regards Australian approval.
Cheers
David

Yes, David it's the same as sold by Jaycar, but without the case.

I too wondered how it would affect the house electrics and that was the reason for my question. Better to do it right though.

There's a YouTube video of a Jaycar bloke talking about it and the above appliance.

J.

KFT · Guru

Power circuits in houses are usually protected by a minimum 16amp RCBO but depending on who wired the house it could have 20 amp RCBO's which would allow the caravan to draw it's full 15 amps through a 10 amp rated outlet.

Doing that will burn and possibly melt down the 10 amp outlet and the plug plugged into it.

That is why the adapter is needed to limit the current coming through a 10 amp outlet.

do you understand that David?

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Monday 2nd of November 2015 10:37:14 PM

NeilandRaine · Guru

I'm not all that technical but I saw an adapter with 10 amp plug and 15 amp socket. I thought this a good idea until I saw the plug after about a week, it had all but melted. Maybe there was some other reason for the plug to get very hot but it was good enough to convince me I isn't a good idea

sufil · Guru

We often plug into house power when visiting friends HOWEVER we are always aware of what power we are using. NO kettle and microwave at the same time so only one item that heats at a time. Never had a problem with popping power or over heating power points and cords.

Jamjar · Senior Member

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I have bought the adapter and will let you know in the coming weeks should it not work as it is said to.

Some will think it's not needed of course, but as it isn't my house I will be plugging in to, I will feel better if I do the right thing by the owner. Having said that I would also be using it if plugging it into my 62 year old, ex housing commission home.

Meanwhile, no more suggestions are needed.

J.

-- Edited by Jamjar on Monday 2nd of November 2015 11:27:24 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

What do you have in van ? You may not have more than 10amp draw anyway ? If you run electric frying pan, elect jug and toaster along with floor heater at the same time ? then yes .. Could be easier to get sparky to fit 15 amp RCD outlet at meter board ? Or http://ampfibian.com.au/product/mini/ keeping unit inside out of weather ..
With above CB you'll have to limit max load anyway..

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 3rd of November 2015 01:49:43 AM

jade46 · Senior Member

Maybe consider this one from same seller $73.00

Mini Ampfibian 15A to 10A Power Adapter New Caravan Camping RV Motorhome Parts

msg · Guru

I plug into my BIL's house quite often and he always insists that I use my amphibian. He could always make up a plug to fit, but no. He's an electrician.

KFT · Guru

As I understand it the mini ampfibian is not weatherproof, I am happy to be corrected on that.

the jaycar unit is a new model and is weatherproof.

frank

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Most gpo's are under cover so they don't need to be weather proof ..

KevKim37 · Senior Member

With you on that Phil/Sue I have a chart with Power Usage of Appliances in van and explained to the Kim of what she can and can't run at any time. We have been connected to approx 15 different houses in the last 13 yrs without a problem after assessing our Power usage.

Cheers Kev.

mjt57 · Senior Member

The only difference between a 10a GPO and a 15a one is the size of the earth pin. It's easy and legal to replace an external 10a GPO with a 15a one. The cable to it will be either 2.5mm2 or 4mm. The latter is general only used for circuits running sustained high loads such as hard wired air conditioners. When I rewired my place we set it up do that there are 3 separate power circuits with standard 20a circuit breakers with integral earth leakage prot. A/C, stove and pool have their own separate circuits. So, plenty of capacity there. So it's surprising to see new houses with minimal CBs in the switchboards. With regards to the OP I'd suggest that at worst he may either blow a fuse or pop the CB if he's running a lot of stuff in his van off of it. This depends on that circuit being already loaded up to begin with. That's the practical side of things. As far as insurance, legalities and so on goes, follow the rules and if there is a stuff up, then at least your arse is covered.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

It actually is not legal to fit a 15 amp plug.. 15 amp have there OWN. Circuit like air conditioner , welding outlets ETC .. Why I said to fit a 15 Amp at SMB .. Standard meter board.. Short wiring and its own circuit ..

Jaahn · Guru

Jamjar wrote:
Do correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm sure I read somewhere on the net, that a van should NOT be connected to a normal house socket. Is this correct?
I ask because I have been offered the opportunity to stay in friends yard rather than an expensive caravan park.
I won't have the money to set the van up as a self running unit, before this trip. Hence the need for power connection.
J.

Hi Jamjar,

To give a straight answer to this question after all the others have given good and not so good answers. Just so others may be clear on what is the reason for the extra unit.

A standard power point is restricted to giving out 10 amps. A standard caravan cable and setup is for 15 amps. Caravan parks have 15 amp power points and a house may have these also but they are not standard. Legally you may not connect a load that will draw more current than the power point is designed for, for safety reasons.

However how much power you actually use depends on what you are using in the van. If you use too much power at once, eg a jug and a toaster and a fridge and heater etc, then the caravan circuit should "trip the breaker" and switch it all off. If you are only on a 10amp power point then it will not cut out at this low current and it MAY damage something. That is why you would use one of those new style 'adapter units' to ensure the current will stay below the 10amp limit or it will cut it off. That is then legal and safe to plug into a 10 amp standard power point. It will also work if you do not have a complete set up in a tent or simple camper etc that you also wish to use at a house.

I hope this may be clear for non technical people. hmm

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 08:34:33 AM

Bruce and Bev · Guru

when we bought our current van, we had an almost new house, but hadn't thought of power to the 'van.

I phoned a number of sparkies and said I wanted an outside 10amp power outlet converted to a 15amp one and the job would be a "cashie".

The distance from the switchboard to the outlet I wanted changed was 5 metres (and I was being generous). Most weren't even interested, but the cheapest was $250 cash

I reckoned he used about 3-4 metres to re-wire the outlet back to the switchboard (heavier cable) and the whole job took about 30 mins. Wish my parents had made me get a trade!!

mjt57 · Senior Member

Jaahn wrote:

A standard power point is restricted to giving out 10 amps. A standard caravan cable and setup is for 15 amps. Caravan parks have 15 amp power points and a house may have these also but they are not standard. Legally you may not connect a load that will draw more current than the power point is designed for, for safety reasons.

So, plugging in power boards and double adapters, or installing four or five outlet GPOs with the potential of exceeding 10a being entirely possible is illegal, then?

A standard power circuit has a 20a circuit breaker. I forget the number of GPOs allowed on one circuit but it used to be around 10 or so. When I'm at work tomorrow I shall consult with my sparky colleagues and the bible (the Australian Standards for wiring rules) and to confirm what is or is not allowed. I have a couple of external 10a outlets which will be changed over to accomodate the van when we buy it. So, I'll need to know what is or is not allowed. But last week when I asked the question I was told that yes, it's allowable to swap a 10a GPO for a 15a one.

Remember, cabling-wise, 2.5mm2 is used for power circuits. It's capacity is much higher than 20a. It has to be, otherwise it would "blow" before its CB would.

Not sure why the chap who had his changed by a sparky would've required "heavier" cable. Maybe the original was perishing (was it the black rubber insulated stuff?).

BarbandDaz · Senior Member

KFT we have an ampfibian and they are all waterproof - just a little more expensive then the jaycar one.

Barb

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Work out the total demand ? If your planing on fitting a 15 amp on your power circuit in your home ? As said http://ampfibian.com.au/product/mini/ for under $100 and you can "take it with you" so you can plug into any 10 amp GPO..

Radar · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
when we bought our current van, we had an almost new house, but hadn't thought of power to the 'van.

I phoned a number of sparkies and said I wanted an outside 10amp power outlet converted to a 15amp one and the job would be a "cashie".

The distance from the switchboard to the outlet I wanted changed was 5 metres (and I was being generous). Most weren't even interested, but the cheapest was $250 cash

I reckoned he used about 3-4 metres to re-wire the outlet back to the switchboard (heavier cable) and the whole job took about 30 mins. Wish my parents had made me get a trade!!

Expensive part for me was the double 20 amp power point, wall mount and waterproof case about $80 and $100 worth of labour, right next to the power box, 11 years ago. While the Electrician was there he said do I need anything checked, at first I said no as the home was only 7 years old but we walked around looking at some of the fittings he spotted a external light that was just loose on the wall, on checking blue and black wires around the wrong way.

Best money spent I use that power point for my electric garden tools, Run the electric welder from it and plug the caravan into it.

Being a non tradie would recommend having 20 amp power point set up conveniently near the your parking spot for the caravan, you wil wonder how you got along with out a external power point on the side of your home. Great value. Radar.

03_Troopy · Guru

BarbandDaz wrote:
KFT we have an ampfibian and they are all waterproof - just a little more expensive then the jaycar one.
Barb

KFT is correct, the Ampfibian Mini is NOT weatherproof.

From the website:

The Ampfibian MINI is for people who want a high quality Australian made product, but don't need the weatherproofing or heavy duty industrial features of the RV02-MAX

And NONE of them are waterproof, the RV02-MAX however, is weatherproof to IP33.

Ampfibian Website

-- Edited by 03_Troopy on Thursday 5th of November 2015 07:29:34 AM

brickies · Guru

If you connect to house power point without an Ampfibian , Make sure you use a heavy duty lead not a thin one .

Joe50 · Guru

If you have the big Ampfibian (not the Mini) keep it away from petrol. We accidentally spilled some petrol on mine when refilling a generator in the wake of Cyclone Marcia, and it just about disintegrated - particularly the clear plastic covers that are held down under spring tension. It still works but I now have it under cover - definitely no longer weatherproof!!

Joe