mains hook up abroad

Post by **dubaroo** » 04 Jun 2007, 14:58

never been abroad with the van, just wondering if the mains hook up on french camp sites is compatable with my leads etc. or do I need adapters or such like?

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 04 Jun 2007, 15:02

You will need an adapter, looks like a round 2 pin plug, with 2 radial slots in it, and the blue plug on the other end so you can plug your standard lead into it. Readily available from camp shops, or Towsure mail order, amongst others. Towsure site have pics so you can see what it look like.

ALSO, BEWARE of reverse polarity in France, some of the older sites may be wired with the live and neutral reversed !! Something to do with the way their appliances work. Worth having one of those plug socket plug-in checkers with the 3 LEDS, it will show you if there is a problem with the hook-up, or reversed polarity as well.

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 04 Jun 2007, 19:34

it is worth getting an adaptor but you may not need it. I would say I have only needed one on about 20% of the French sites I have been on.

Post by **jamesc76** » 05 Jun 2007, 09:57

or do as i did and take a blue plug some flex and make one when your there then what ever plug they use just buy one in local shop fit it and your done ???

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 05 Jun 2007, 12:46

As has been said really, both the commercial campsites we used had the 'standard' UK stylee blue socket. The French Camping Municipal sites are slightly more out-dated though and the one we used the 'facilities' on had the old 2 pin jobbies.

Buy an adaptor ... often they come with a polarity detector as well.

Have a nice time. Ian.

Post by **dubaroo** » 05 Jun 2007, 18:18

cheers for your help folks