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Subject Topic: hook ups Post Reply Post New Topic
via mobile 02/9/2023 at 3:47pm
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hi i have just bought a camper with hook up..when i hook up to campsite do i have to turn the rcd on in my van to get power... thank you..i am new to campervans


02/9/2023 at 10:43pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Hi, I am not too familiar with campervans but I would certainly think you would have to turn on the RCD. That is certainly the case with my caravan.

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Best Regards,
Colin


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02/9/2023 at 11:18pm
 Location: NE England
 Outfit: Citroen Dispatch Campervan plus tents
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I think it must depends on the set-up.   We just plug in & power is automatically switched to the hook up from the leisure battery. It's the only system we've known.   


via mobile 02/9/2023 at 11:53pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
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Ditto. The previous MH had a circuit breaker switch under the passenger seat, that one was supposed to check. Current MH might have one, no idea where it is.
Plug & go, I’d say

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


03/9/2023 at 9:56am
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Mains power comes into any vehicle or caravan via a small consumer unit which has an RCD in it, that is the one I was referring to. It is necessary for safety as it will trip if you have a malfunction of any electrical equipment. Whether there are any other switches in camper-vans or motor-homes I have no idea as I've never had one, but I do have some understanding of electrics in general.

If you plug in the EHU and the RCD has tripped or been turned off, none of the mains appliances should work.

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Best Regards,
Colin


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via mobile 03/9/2023 at 10:06am
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Adria Compact 590SP
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I assume most are like ours with a mains switch and circuit breaker, which we just leave switched to on, so power is connected as soon as the cable is.
Have you tried hooking it up at home to see if power comes on? You might need an adaptor for the lead to connect to domestic socket


03/9/2023 at 10:34am
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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Can't speak for your camper, but the breakers in my caravan naturally remain 'on' (unless a fault trips them) all the time, not needing resetting after last disconnect from EHU. I just hook up the EHU cable, switch on control unit master switch, heater and charger switches as required and all sorted.

The EHU bollards on sites are another matter, not a lot of standardisation on those it seems! Some are just plug and go, others plug in and rotate to switch on, others plug in then flip breakers on. Sure there will be other types as well!


via mobile 03/9/2023 at 10:51am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75
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They are normally on but can trip when you d8sconnect. We plug in the cable and test the rcd.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


03/9/2023 at 10:54am
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Most Motorhomes and Caravans have "latching" RCDs that don't trip when power is lost, they only trip when an earth fault is detected so they remain closed when you disconnect the mains.
saxo1


03/9/2023 at 11:25am
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My RCD has never been off except when being tested. Why would you want to turn it off? Plug in to EHU and check that the kettle is working.


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03/9/2023 at 1:20pm
 Location: None Entered
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To be safe you should plug in to the EHU and test that the RCD trips to ensure it is working properly before you put the kettle on.
saxo1


03/9/2023 at 8:49pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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Testing the RCD as Saxo says is very useful as it confirms there is power coming through. If power is not present the test button won't trip.


05/9/2023 at 7:45pm
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Test it at home, our camper it's always on just plug in and off you go.
If it's turned off it's easy enough to turn it then connected they tend to only trip if you've a fault.
The big thing to remember is always huck the van end up first than the post end.
When removing EHU it's the other way post 1st then van.
Otherwise you're walking round with a live cable.



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