electric hook ups in France..which one?

[mwheatley]

Hi All, I feel a bit sheepish asking this question, something tells me I should know more about electricity & my van!! Anyway, looking at booking sites in France, being offered 4amp, 6amp or 10amp hook up options....which one should I take. I have a German LHD California Westy 1990/1. Many thanks in advance for the answers. Matt.

[Ivor Brownun]

The more you pay the more amps you get, and the higer watts equipment you can use, or maybe use thetoaster and the kettle at the same time, all they do is put a bigger fuse in the supply box eg 6 amp or 10 amp, people have been known to have their own 10 amp fuse but only pay for 6. but to be honest the price difference is usually small

[mwheatley]

Well, you learn something new every day!! Thanks a lot for the info.

[jamesc76]

maybe use the toaster and the kettle at the same time

Even on 10 amps i wouldnt try a toaster and kettle at the same time as kettles draw massive amounts of power i allways suggest only using the kettle with everything else off, when i used to repair genorators we used a kettle to actually test it worked as if it would boil it then alls good!!! Even then some gennys struggled!

[08Kev]

All thought most sites in france use the same hookup cables as we do, their are still some that use the old continental system, A mini extension with a leisure plug one end, and a continental two-pin plug the other is a necessity, you can buy then from any caravan store.

Enjoy.
Kevin.

[mwheatley]

Hmmmm, interesting. I have a mini extension with a UK plug on the end. I presume I can just use a European adaptor to get to the same end?

[08Kev]

That'll do the trick, but take a plastic bag and some duck tap incase it rains, don't want to get any water in there!

[redstar]

If you are unsure of power drawn by things, its watts / volts.
in uk it would be 1000watt / 230volt for a small kettle making
it 4.3amps usage.
get the idea??

[mwheatley]

Maths was never my strong point, but I suppose with electricity you only get one chance!

[jamesc76]

Found this on a campin and caravaning site mightr make it easier! the whole thing is a pdf and here's a link

How much power?
This chart shows how many watts or amps normal appliances may use.
It is only a guide and power ratings do vary. Add up the wattage or amps
for each of your own appliances in use at any one time. The total should
not exceed 2,300 watts or 10 amps. If you are hooked up to a 16 amp
connection the wattage rises to 3,680.
These are only average figures. More accurate power figures for wattage
or amperage are marked on the appliance itself.
Please note that small microwaves are often described as 600 or 750
watt. This is the power they require to run - starting power can be as
much as twice the stated amperage.

Appliance Watts Amps
Domestic kettle 2,000 8.3
Camping kettle 750 3.1
Domestic fan heater 1,000 4.2
Camping fan heater 750 3.1
Refrigerator 125 0.5
Toaster 1,300 5.4
Iron 1,300 5.4
Domestic microwave 1,200 5.0
Truma water heater 660 2.75
Colour TV 30 0.1
90 0.4
Battery charger 100 0.4
200 0.8
Hair dryer 600 2.6
1,200 5.2

[DiscoDave]

maybe use the toaster and the kettle at the same time

Even on 10 amps i wouldnt try a toaster and kettle at the same time as kettles draw massive amounts of power i allways suggest only using the kettle with everything else off, when i used to repair genorators we used a kettle to actually test it worked as if it would boil it then alls good!!! Even then some gennys struggled!

that's how we know the kettle has boiled at werk, when the genny stops screaming it's boiled!

[Grantourer]

Hi, PM me

Regards, Graham