Definitely won't be using it, it scares me to have it in the house now!!! I bought it before I found this site. Just shows how helpful this site is - and the members. Thanks everybody
We tried to sell an old one of ours at a car boot last yr (didnt have an RCD) and a guy told us that we wouldnt be allowed to use it on a camp site so we got rid and bought an rcd one thank god we did because god knows what would have happened if it had have rained! Dread to think but u live and learn (its the price of the LCD's that put people off i think if they were a bit lower in price people wouldnt be tempted to buy the death traps) thats just my opinion anyway
Just remove the blue plug and fit a normal 3 pin plug for use around the home. You might be able to sell the blue plug on e-bay!
Or
remove the 4 way extension and fit a female blue plug and use it as an extension for a proper EHU cable. Then use the 4 way extension for the home connected to a proper cable and plug.
Im an electrician and have wired campsites, all outdoor circuits must be protected by an RCD according to IEE wiring regulations, all campsite posts are protected by an RCD(residual circuit disconnector) and most are protected by a 10a MCB(minature circuit breaker) these are designed to protect overload and fault to both the user and the rest of the campsite. That lead does have an indoor IP rating (ingress protection) so can only be used in the dry, but there is no reason why it would not be safe to use on a UK campsite if it is wired up properly. Buying a proper EHU would of course be better because you can never have too much safety. If your in any doubt you could always get the lead PAT (portable appliance test) tested by an electrician.
volt works I am suprised at you saying that would be safe in a TENT no protection against damp at all on that Home made thing and the lead does not look as heavy as the one we bought from sutterton caravan and camping last year
The RCD at the post would provide protection, the lead should really be a weatherproof one, but some ive seen just have a plastic flap you lift up so as soon as you plug something in they are no longer weatherproof. I just think that Roz would be better off getting the lead cecked by someone who knows what they are talking about, rather that people telling her to rewire it, seems far more dangerous to me.
I've seen them being sold on ebay and thought they had to have orange/yellow flex. Is this not the case? would anyone buy one which had RCD from ebay or is that dodgy?Would be grateful if anyone out there has any info on where I can buy one locally at a reasonable cost.
Voltworks is quite right. The onus is on the campsite owner to provide overload and earth leakage protection to the sockets on the hook up post in acordance with the IEE 16th edition wiring regulations.
HOWEVER there is NO regulation covering the hook up leads that go between the post and your tent, only RECOMENDATIONS that are NOT a legal requirement. Same as the flex colour there is NO regulation as to what colour the cable sheath sould be.
Therefore those nasty leads sold on E Bay are NOT ilegal!
So a complaint to E Bay would do no good as the seller is not acting illegally. Irresponable YES, Ilegal NO.
As I said in my previous post we would NEVER use one of these leads better safe than sorry!
There is no real rule as to the colour of the flex although the more it stands out the better, you dont want black flex in the mud for instance. If you wanted to buy one on ebay have a look at peoples feedback, thats a really good indication as to how happy people are, and ask around if someone has bought a lead they are happy with that would be a good place to start. I would say that buying from a campsite can be expencive as they have a high markup (just like the bacon and eggs). There are lots of different leads for different people, have a think what you will be using it for then you can decide which is best for you.
do not !! go by peoples feedback on ebay ,people leave feedback as soon as they have recieved an item ,before they have even used it ( this applys to most things on bay )
Volt would you by any chance be the seller of one of these crappy hook ups ?
Everyone wants to be safe when camping as electricity can be dangerous. I think the best advise and most people would agree is to get the best lead you can afford. Im certaily not recommending that type of lead im just saying that campsite posts ARE protected against overload, overcurrent and earth leakage protection.