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Topic: Touring in France - electrics?

audicab26

29/8/2012 at 4:08pm
Location: South
Outfit: Pageant Bordeaux S7

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Hi all,

Having had our 'van for a year and living so close to the tunnel we are thinking of trying France next year for our holidays, have driven abroad lots over the years but never camped there.

I just need some advice re EHU. I was given an adaptor to connect to my EHU lead with what looks like a domestic French 2 pin plug on the end, not unlike the adaptor I have at home for plugging in my van on the drive.

Is that all I need? I have heard that some French campsite electrics are wired differently with the polarity reversed. Is that still the case and if so is there something I can buy to check and/or remedy this issue easily?

I'm not an electrician and I am not a fan of fiddling with electrics if i can help it, so I am just trying to be safe.

An advice gratefully received. Apologies if this has been discussed to death before.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

millermicm

29/8/2012 at 4:42pm
Location: west country
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There are polarity testers available at accessory shops and ebay. They cost very little. We carry an adaptor for sites using reverse polarity but many will argue that you don't need to worry about it. I am not an electrician either so I don't know.

This generally opens up a bit of a hornest nest unfortunately.

As for the connector, you are wise to take one but many sites use the standard european (as in English style) connector now.

audicab26

29/8/2012 at 5:01pm
Location: South
Outfit: Pageant Bordeaux S7

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Thanks, the adaptor you carry for rev polarity, is something I can buy or is it something I would need to get made up?

Thanks again.

Opensauce

29/8/2012 at 5:41pm
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If you have a modern caravan & modern appliances, reverse polarity is not an issue, all you need is the adaptor you already have although most French sites now have the same blue/white ehu socket as UK.

Many French sites only supply about 6amps so it may trip if using high amp appliances like kettles/fan heaters etc, you are ok with fridges, tv's, lights etc. Trip switches are usually accessible on ehu post tho so easily reset.

An awful lot of incorrect & out of date info has been posted on this forum & elsewhere & but really its not a problem nowadays & if you have little understanding of electrics its best to leave well alone. If it was dangerous to plug in UK supplied electrical appliances abroad you would read about it in the national press, not internet forums.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

audicab26

29/8/2012 at 5:58pm
Location: South
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Thanks Tentz, have now done a search of this forum and hornets nest would be an apt description of this subject

I guess that I am always over cautious with stuff I don't fully understand!

millermicm

29/8/2012 at 8:31pm
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Quote: Originally posted by audicab26 on 29/8/2012
Thanks, the adaptor you carry for rev polarity, is something I can buy or is it something I would need to get made up?

Thanks again.

I made mine up. I don't think you can buy them.

Ma+Pa Clampett.

29/8/2012 at 9:27pm
Location: Lancashire
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There is a kit available to buy on e-bay which includes everything require for touring in europe,I connot remember the cost of ot off hand,but it is not too expensive,it includes a polarity tester,,two pin lead and polarity correction lead.Many will say it is not a problem to run equipment when polarity is reversed,but quit a bit of elecrtical equipment does not like it,and for a few pounds,why damage your expensive kit.

-------------
If the moon reflects the suns light,why does it not reflect the suns heat?

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Opensauce

29/8/2012 at 9:31pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Ma+Pa Clampett. on 29/8/2012
but quite a bit of electrical equipment does not like it,and for a few pounds,why damage your expensive kit.

Which electrical equipment would that be & how would it be damaged?

saxo1

29/8/2012 at 10:17pm
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There is no 230volt equipment that you would use in a caravan that is affected by reverse polarity,only 12V equipment is affected.

Saxo1

sweetrunninggir

30/8/2012 at 10:32am
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Hello there,

You will have no problems with reverse polarity in France, in 6 years of touring in france (with three different caravans over the years) we have never had a problem. If you have the french adaptor for your mains lead you wont have an issue.

The only issue you might have is when unplugging an appliance inside your van - the "off" switch on the socket wont be turning the electric socket off if polarity is actually reversed. Therefore if you are unplugging an appliance, you can always just flick the mains switch off inside your van before you do, just to be on the safe side.

My advice would be : Do not, under any circumstances, start messing around with wiring adaptors or home-grown wiring adaptors. Just plug in , relax and think about something else!

I hope you enjoy your french holidays, and I am so glad to see your post here - I have found invaluable advice on these forums, and I certainly would never have been able to have such amazing holidays in france with my kids without the advice of the kind people on this site.

God bless you and your family
Christine

Kelper

30/8/2012 at 12:30pm
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Have a look at the other thread on this .... lot of duplication going on!!!

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Gordy D

30/8/2012 at 3:03pm
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Hi,

Having just come back from France, I will agree with the comments on here saying it’s not a problem and don’t bog yourself down with it all! I do carry a two pin adapter plug with me, but so far all the sites ive stayed on do not need one, just plug your normal blue/white connector in and of you go! Most sites in France are 6 or 10 amps, so if your on a 6 amp site just be carful to the amount of amps your drawing!

Regards,

Gordon.

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