Club 80-90 Forums

Hi Guys,

I am having an electrician install an exterior plug socket in the garden and thought why not get a hookup plug installed too so I can plug the van in when it's in the garden to be worked on. Is it worth it do you reckon? And what do I need to search for to order one up? Also, are there such sockets that have both hookup style socket and an ordinary 13 amp socket so you can have a hookup plug and an ordinary plug?

I'd be interested to hear your views.

Cheers,
Tim.

Does your leisure battery drain that much on the drive? Mine stays charged but I use it as a daily driver (and have a split charge relay?). I know others have solar panel that is enough to keep it topped up?

No it's not that the leisure battery drains. It's more if we have lots of guests (family get-together) and someone stays in the van or if I want to do some work on the van and need to use any power tools. I can use the plug socket in the van.

We use the van as a daily drive too so the leisure battery is normally fine.
Cheers,
Tim.

I've got one outside - no leaving door to the house open whilst working on the drive. I have a hookup lead permanently connected and just use a hookup lead to normal socket adapter for tools outside. Well worth having as you can leave the house secure whilst you are charging up the batteries in the van/car.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I've got one outside - no leaving door to the house open whilst working on the drive. I have a hookup lead permanently connected and just use a hookup lead to normal socket adapter for tools outside. Well worth having as you can leave the house secure whilst you are charging up the batteries in the van/car.

One of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-mains ... 2a3461dbcc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No - the other way round so that you can use a household socket on the end of your hookup lead.

I see what you mean now.

I wondered if this would help the OP, as he would only need to get the original socket fitted as planned and could then use this to plug the van in when needed.

Household sockets are a no-no outside. That's why we have a different type of extension lead for hookup.

Something like this?

http://www.speeder-ltd.co.uk/single-16a ... ch001.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With this you can use a standard hookup lead

Martin

Oldiebut goodie wrote:Household sockets are a no-no outside. That's why we have a different type of extension lead for hookup.

Unless they are mounted in some sort of waterproof box....but then the whole thing can get very bulky.

Besides...it makes sense to have an MCB/RCD for added protection.

Martin

I assumed from what he said, that the OP was having something like this fitted

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Weatherproof- ... 2a3df99a64" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And made the assumption that this could then be used

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-mains ... 2a3461dbcc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We have similar to these in the yard at work (refrigerated vans hook up to them)...often considered one for outside my house

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x16A-WALL-SO ... 0809891013

I think yours is the best solution Jane.....this socket can then be used for other purposes.

Martin

Here's mine - complete with cobwebs.

evilnoodle wrote:I assumed from what he said, that the OP was having something like this fitted

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Weatherproof- ... 2a3df99a64" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And made the assumption that this could then be used

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cara" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; van-mains-hook-Up-UK-Conversion-adapter-Lead-Plug-Camping-Motorhome-Boat-/181267454924?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item2a3461dbcc

Yep, that's what I use at home, the socket has a suitable IP rating for outside use and the cover seals onto the flex - all other connections using the standard hookup connectors are weathertight