We're absolute novices, just assembling kit for our first holiday. We've noticed some pitches offer electric hook-up - is this just for caravans or can we use it in a tent as well. If so could someone advise on what sort of connection cable we need to get? Thanks
Yes you can have an electric hook up (EHU) in a tent.
However you MUST MUST MUST have a proper EHU unit. No tonly will these have the correct conection point for the site but will also have teh circut breakers which will trip out should anything go wrong. Some site will insist on checking you hook up. Although you can get some really cheap ones on the likes of Ebay some are potential death traps. Often the likes of Aldi and Lidl have them in their specials - or go to a camping shop.
On site you are talking about electric cables that run outside from the hook up point to your tent - in all weathers. usually along grass.
You also have to watch what you run off them - too much will trip out your suply. Although more and more sites are now offering 16amp hook up, some are sill 10amp. So don't try the toaster, adn the kettle at teh same time. Warden will not be happy if he has to constantly reset you supply.
Hello and welcome to the best and friendliest forum for camping. Somewhere on here will be answers to most of your questions .This should be helpful regarding ehu.
------------- Gingercol
April ,Isle of Avalon Glastonbury 4 nights ,
May ,Hoburne Cotswolds 3 nights
June ,12 nights River Valley Holiday Park cornwall
We usually do EHU. We use it for our electric coolbox and it's handy for the hairdryer. We don't run more than two things of it at a time.
Welcome to the website - we started camping a couple of years ago and the things I learnt or received advice about from fellow campers have been invaluable.
It is unfair to say that one shouldn't buy an EHU cable off eBay.
One shouldn't buy cheap, home-made or unprotected EHU cables purporting to be suitable for campsites off eBay or anywhere else for that matter.
I got my EHU off eBay and it was a brand new and proper mobile mains EHU unit from an eBay shop. In fact it is better than many because it is protected up to 16 amps whereas the majority of EHU units only protect up to 10 amps.
Hello and welcome to the forum. I joined not long ago and have gained so much knowledge from fellow forum members it's unreal
EHU is brilliant in the tent. I can use my hair dryer and straighteners (not at the same time, of course) in the tent so I'm happy. Also when the nights are chilly, a fan heater is nice to use. People use camping fridges, microwaves, electric blankets, kettles, lights and all sorts - you just have to be careful not to use too much stuff at the same time and trip it out
Quote: Originally posted by mrneillees on 31/5/2011If we can get EHU we always take the option, wish more sites had it in fact. Not so much for TV etc. but more for lighting and heating.
As well as the cool box and laptop for me!
DK
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