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During our last camping trip we purchased a fan heater for the cold nights. After running the heater for 15-20 minutes the electric cut up, this occurred on three occassions.

Thing is it tripped the electric at the hook up point and not my ELU...does this mean my EHU may not be working as it should be.  I have noticed also that the red light on the EHU is not on, but l cannot remember if it worked last time (the first time) we used it.

YOur thoughts would be appriciated

Neil

Many sites, including the CC and C&CC sites, will usually supply 10 amps and occasionally 16 amps.  With 16 amps you can run equipment up to a total of 3800 watts.  However there are a lot of sites where only 8 amp or less is available.  A 1000 watt fan heater will require 4.2 amp and if for instance you switched a domestic kettle that would require an additional 8.3 amps.  Your EHU would be able to handle this but the site electric hook up post would not and so it would 'trip'.

It might be an idea to find out what amperage is available on site from reception when you arrive.  And if you use stickers on your appliances showing the amperage they require to operate, you will know at any given time if you are likely to exceed what is available from the hook up post.

This is just an outline of electrical issues, there will probably be more experienced members who will contribute further.

Carr  

Quote: Originally posted by EssexCamper on 31/08/2004

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  I have noticed also that the red light on the EHU is not on, but l cannot remember if it worked last time (the first time) we used it.

YOur thoughts would be appriciated

 

Neil

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I got completetly confused about the red light not going on the first time I used my new EHU, and in fact I was so worried about it I didn`t use it the first night and left the fridge to its own devices! Next morning I read the instructions properly and found that in the case of my brand of EHU (I bought it from Argos) the red light was a WARNING light...ie not to use the EHU if the light was on!

I would read your instructions and check if yours is the same.

Quote: Originally posted by EssexCamper on 31/08/2004

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During our last camping trip we purchased a fan heater for the cold nights. After running the heater for 15-20 minutes the electric cut up, this occurred on three occassions.

Thing is it tripped the electric at the hook up point and not my ELU...does this mean my EHU may not be working as it should be.  I have noticed also that the red light on the EHU is not on, but l cannot remember if it worked last time (the first time) we used it.

YOur thoughts would be appriciated

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As others have suggested you really need to know what trip is fitted in the site supply, what is fitted in your EHU and the power rating of the fan in order to work out whats happening.

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 31/08/2004

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Next morning I read the instructions properly and found that in the case of my brand of EHU (I bought it from Argos) the red light was a WARNING light...ie not to use the EHU if the light was on!

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Is it possible the red light is to warn you that the incoming supply is reversed ?

Quote: Originally posted by srnet on 31/08/2004

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Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 31/08/2004

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Next morning I read the instructions properly and found that in the case of my brand of EHU (I bought it from Argos) the red light was a WARNING light...ie not to use the EHU if the light was on!

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Is it possible the red light is to warn you that the incoming supply is reversed ?

 

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I think that was why, yes, but as I don`t have the instructions to hand and can`t be bothered to go down to the utility room this late at night to find them and check I didn`t want to say that was definately why. Anyway it might be a different meaning for a different brand of EHU? I don`t want to be responsible for frying anyone!

I must read the instructions again, though....I`m off to France again next year and it will be useful to have a built-in polarity tester rather than having to buy a seperate device, no?

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 31/08/2004

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I must read the instructions again, though....I`m off to France again next year and it will be useful to have a built-in polarity tester rather than having to buy a seperate device, no?

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yep.

During our last camping trip we purchased a fan heater for the cold nights. After running the heater for 15-20 minutes the electric cut up, this occurred on three occassions.

Yes Carr is quite right here, check the rating of your heater, and allow approximatly 4Amps per Kilowatt rating. A 16A site supply will allow you just under 4Kw a 10A one Just over 2 Kw and an 8A about 2 Kw max. Funnilly enough I've never come across an 8Amp MCB but I guess some one makes them.

BTW my home made EHU has 2 neon lamps, Red for reverese polarity and Green for correct polarity

Happy Camping Frank & Kathy

Post last edited on 02/09/2004 17:02:19

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