Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping under canvas
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Camping with Electricity Post Reply Post New Topic
24/7/2014 at 1:07pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View wkisbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to wkisbee Reply   Quote wkisbee Quote  
Joined: 20/3/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi,

Going away for our first full weeks camping on the 2nd August (2 adults and 2 children aged 7 & 9) and although i've read a few things about electric hook ups, I am a little confused at what is a good idea to take and not.

We are not taking everything as we are camping after all, but the site we are going to is 10 amp, so what are the dos and don'ts?

Any info is greatly appreciated to keep safe.

Cheers

Wayne



24/7/2014 at 1:34pm
 Location: Cotswolds
 Outfit: Vango Shangri La & Renault Grd Espace
View sarahlr's Profile View Profile   Reply to sarahlr Reply   Quote sarahlr Quote  
Joined: 04/9/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   512
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Have a good read through the pinned thread at the top of the camping under canvas and equipment pages.

The general rule is not anything over about 2kw in total , and definitely only one appliance that heats up at a time, heater, hair dryer etc.

If you don't have one already, you need one of these

-------------
Tent + food + glass of cider + friends = perfection

May: Drybrook, FoD
August: La Garangeoire, Vendee
Plus a few local weekends


24/7/2014 at 1:35pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bob61's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bob61 Reply   Quote Bob61 Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   10276
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 4
Site Nights 2018: 3

I think the first thing to do is read this page and make sure you have a proper camping EHU unit with the protecting fuses and not just some cheap made up jobbie which might not be safe.

Then, if you look down towards the bottom of that page you will see a Watts to Amps conversion chart. All electrical appliances will have their wattage written on them somewhere. However, when using electrical appliances they are drawing 'amps' from the campsite supply so you need to know how many amps the campsite is supplying you (ask them) and how many amps each of your appliances are going to draw. That's where the chart comes in handy.

For instance, a 2000 watt fan heater will draw 8.69 amps so you know that you can use one of those on a 10 amp supply with 1.31 amps to spare. You can run more than one appliance together providing the total amps they draw together does not exceed 10 amps. So, for instance, you could run your fan heater (8.69 amps) together with a 100 watt light bulb (0.43 amps) making a total of 9.12 amps. Hope all that makes sense.

I usually take a fan heater because even in summer it can be cold in the evenings. I take a toaster, but can't run them both together because that would exceed the 10 amp supply and trip the fuses. I also take an electric kettle but again can only use one at a time.

Some people take mini ovens, microwaves, hair dryers, hair curlers (I don't take those) and all manner of things...just remember to work out how many amps each item will draw and don't exceed the total amps of the campsite supply.


24/7/2014 at 1:36pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Tent & Toyota Granvia
View Tigermouse's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tigermouse Reply   Quote Tigermouse Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7818

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Theoretically you could take whatever you wanted to if it enhances your camping experience but you wouldn't be able to use everything at once. The best rule of thumb is to switch off one thing before you use another, especially with high wattage appliances like kettles and fan heaters, as otherwise you'll trip the electrics; eg turn off the heater before you put the kettle on.

-------------
Tigermouse


I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental


28/7/2014 at 11:02am
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Coleman Hawkins 4
View NuCampers's Profile View Profile   Reply to NuCampers Reply   Quote NuCampers Quote  
Joined: 21/5/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   89

Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

We are going EHU this year for the first time ever so will give this a read. Got an electric coolbox plus will have phone chargers and tablet chargers too (obvious not all on at the same time).

-------------
27 - 29/05/09 - Woodhouse Farm, Winksley
03/07/10 - Pheasant Inn, Leyburn


Advertisement



28/7/2014 at 11:12am
 Location: North Surrey
 Outfit: Bailey Unicorn Valencia S3
View NickH's Profile View Profile   Reply to NickH Reply   Quote NickH Quote  
Joined: 07/6/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   697

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by NuCampers on 28/7/2014
We are going EHU this year for the first time ever so will give this a read. Got an electric coolbox plus will have phone chargers and tablet chargers too (obvious not all on at the same time).



You should be fine to have your coolbox on, charging up all your devices and still have one appliance that heats (kettle/toaster/heater)

-------------
Nick

2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!



28/7/2014 at 12:15pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bob61's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bob61 Reply   Quote Bob61 Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   10276
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 4
Site Nights 2018: 3

Agreed as above. If you work out how many amps each appliance/charger uses you can use as many as you like at the same time providing, when added together, they don't exceed the campsite supply, which is more often that not 10 amps.

You could mark the amps on each item with a marker pen so you can see and remember what each is, then quickly add up what you are using. Also, print off the conversion chart and take it with you, you can quickly add up what Watts you are using and convert it into amps.

After a few trips it will become automatic and you will remember what you can use together and what needs to be used separately. Electric coolboxes and electric lights usually take very little power so can normally be left running while using more powerful appliances.


28/7/2014 at 12:45pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View wkisbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to wkisbee Reply   Quote wkisbee Quote  
Joined: 20/3/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks for all the info.

Much appreciated and a big help.

Cheers

 

Wayne



28/7/2014 at 2:21pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Coleman Hawkins 4
View NuCampers's Profile View Profile   Reply to NuCampers Reply   Quote NuCampers Quote  
Joined: 21/5/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   89

Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

Quote: Originally posted by NickH on 28/7/2014
Quote: Originally posted by NuCampers on 28/7/2014We are going EHU this year for the first time ever so will give this a read. Got an electric coolbox plus will have phone chargers and tablet chargers too (obvious not all on at the same time).



You should be fine to have your coolbox on, charging up all your devices and still have one appliance that heats (kettle/toaster/heater)



Excellent, thanks for the advice Nick.

We have had the coolbox on to test it out and it seems to be a little noisey, not massively but feel like we would notice it on a night - would you advise unplugging it at night or move it as far away from the bedrooms as possible?

-------------
27 - 29/05/09 - Woodhouse Farm, Winksley
03/07/10 - Pheasant Inn, Leyburn


28/7/2014 at 2:47pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Glendale 5 wolf lake 5
View campingneedsale's Profile View Profile   Reply to campingneedsale Reply   Quote campingneedsale Quote  
Joined: 16/6/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   20

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I tend to unplug the coolbox at night and leave it in the side extension or porch area, milk still cold in the morning


Advertisement



28/7/2014 at 3:11pm
 Location: North Surrey
 Outfit: Bailey Unicorn Valencia S3
View NickH's Profile View Profile   Reply to NickH Reply   Quote NickH Quote  
Joined: 07/6/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   697

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I think that it would partly depend on night time temps and how much the noise impacts you. If you can keep it away from the bedrooms and switched on then all the better. You will probably find that the noise it gives out is or a frequency that your brain will block it out after the first night.

-------------
Nick

2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!



28/7/2014 at 3:21pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Coleman Hawkins 4
View NuCampers's Profile View Profile   Reply to NuCampers Reply   Quote NuCampers Quote  
Joined: 21/5/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   89

Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

Quote: Originally posted by NickH on 28/7/2014
I think that it would partly depend on night time temps and how much the noise impacts you. If you can keep it away from the bedrooms and switched on then all the better. You will probably find that the noise it gives out is or a frequency that your brain will block it out after the first night.





Trial and error on the first night and see how we and the kids get on.

-------------
27 - 29/05/09 - Woodhouse Farm, Winksley
03/07/10 - Pheasant Inn, Leyburn


28/7/2014 at 4:26pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Glendale 5 wolf lake 5
View campingneedsale's Profile View Profile   Reply to campingneedsale Reply   Quote campingneedsale Quote  
Joined: 16/6/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   20

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Our coolbox is from aldi, and has been great. 2 weeks in the vendee with it swtiched off overnight, temps ranged from 30 degrees in the day down to around 15 to 20 degrees at night, no probs with food going off/warm milk. Butter was pretty solid too.
Still, might as well have left it on as people would shower at 2am and we were pitched next to the shower blocks so no sleep anyway!



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














5979 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder