Message Forums

Hi all,

The last time we were at our van (2 weeks ago) we took a vacuum cleaner to the site intending to give the van a good going over, upholstery etc. The cleaner uses 1300 watts. The hook-up supplies us with 10amps. I plugged it in (only the fridge was left drawing off the supply) and when I turned it on it tripped the supply from the mains. I sorted out the trip switch and carried on using the other appliances, kettle, microwave etc, but not at the same time in fact each appliance was connected to the same electric point and they worked quite normally with no disruption to the supply.

A day later we bought a cheap vacuum cleaner for a tenner from Woolworths which uses 700 watts. Making sure that nothing was in use I tried it out and it immediately caused the supply to trip.

Anybody else experienced problems with vaccum cleaners? Seems odd to me as the kettle uses more amps than anything we have and we have never had a problem.

Cheers,

Tony.

Maybe the split-second surge is the culprit. But if others have no problems it's a mystery. We'll try again next time we visit. Can't go this weekend though - the missus has got a really bad dose of cold and it's NASTY!

Cheers,

Tony.

Might be worth turning everything off first, then turn on the cleaner. We use a 900watt with the fridge on with no problems. Possibly the site doesn't have the 13amps supply they state.

Good luck!

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 31/5/2007

---

Never had any problems with vacuum cleaners in any caravans. Was it the mains trip in the caravan or the site one?

---

The site one. But on reflection the owner of the site upgraded us from 8amps to 10amps whilst we were there, may have had something to do with that. I left a message for him before we left and haven't seen him since. Was hoping to be there this weekend -the weather looks a big improvement- but my wife is still poorly with this flu bug that's going about locally.

I was just concerned that vacuum cleaners operating from the mains on hook-up might be a no, no, but it appears not. Amazingly the buy from Woolies for a tenner has a decent suction to it, although its attachments are a bit delicate. It'll do inside the van though..

Thanks to all of those who have responded

Tony..