Electric Hookup - Amps questions

[mattrsa]

Hi All

I have recently bought and electric hookup kit and I am just trying to work out how the best way to wire everything up would be. The RCD comes with two blocks, a 6 amp, which it says I should use for light and a 10 amp, which it say I should use for sockets.

I want to have one socket wire for the fridge which is in use all the time when hooked up and then an additional two sockets for plugging in things such as phone chargers and other things like that. Is this going to be too much power draw? Will I be able to have the fridge on and both sockets all at the same time or will the rcd blow?

Thanks in advance.

Regards
Matt

[kevtherev]

you need to remember what you learned at school

Power (P) (watts) = Volts (V) X amps (I)

V = P / I
I = P / V

with this you can work out what socket will draw which amps

[Red Westie]

Small things like phone and games chargers take very little current and you could literally have lots of these without exceeding 10 amp draw.
It's items like blow heaters, oil filled radiators, kettles and professional hair dryers that consume lots of power.

As Kev says: watts divided by volts equals amps so you are looking at a combined max wattage of just under 2300watts.
So problems arise when you plug in two high consumers at the same time for example; a 2000watt blow heater then you put your kettle on....

Martin

[mattrsa]

Thanks for the replies

I think that makes a bit more sense now.

We will only ever be using the sockets for chargers and what not, I have banned hair dryers and straighteners from camping and we use the gas hob for the kettle.

Thanks for the help

Regards
Matt

[1664]

and we use the gas hob for the kettle.

frankly if you are going to use hook up you might just as well use an electric kettle. No point burning your (expensive) bottled gas when you've already paid for the hook up...........

[Red Westie]

I agree with Bren, we've just been away for a week with hookup and an electric kettle is so much quicker/cheaper and safer.
I commend you on your determination about not using hair straighteners and dryers but there might come a point where a small portable 1600watt oil filled radiator will make the difference between staying on camp or going home.

Martin

[mattrsa]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the reply.

I suppose getting a little travel kettle may not be a bad idea. As you say if I am going to pay for the hook up I may as well use it.
With regards to the heater can you recommend one which is not going to draw too much power.

Matt

[kevtherev]

Nothing beyond 2kw
at that sort of power you can camp mid winter.
propex runs at that rate
so you'll be plenty warm enough
oil rads are silent and quite portable
fannies are instant heat
convectors are silent but a bit bulky an dangerous.

NO GAS heaters. Unless its a propex

[1664]

fannies are instant heat

*snigger*

[mattrsa]

Thanks guys, Might look at getting a little fan heater so that I can make some use of the van in the winter.

Matt

[shukes]

When you're wiring it in, make sure you get a good earth connection to a nice shiny part of the body, or to the engine block.

[nevill3]

You don't need to buy a travel kettle, one of the cheap Asda own brand for very little money and quite small Wattage, I also recommend a Asda own brand Toaster....we got one last year and it's great...so much quicker to do a couple of rounds of toast while your Tea is brewing.

It worked so well we even splashed out on an Tesco's own Sandwich toaster too.....its amazing what will go between two slices of bread.

All this has meant that our gas bottles last for ages now and my 12 year old daughter can make her own breakfast while we have a lie in..... no worries about her having to use the gas rings.

[Red Westie]

Helga the camper never went to bed.....soft summer campers....

[mattrsa]

Don't know why I never thought of getting a kettle/toaster before as if you paying for the hookup you may as well use it.

Anyone know what sort of ampage does a 212b fridge draw?

[1664]

Just under 9 amps at 12v

Just under 0.5 amp at 240v