Hookup cable

[Fozzie]

The van we've acquired came with 22 metres of thick (2.5mm?) cable - huge even when wound tightly (which probably isn't good for it) and really, really heavy. I can see this being fine for a 30' caravan, but it seems a bit over the top for our little dub. Will we ever need to stretch to a hookup 22 metres away?

I'm no electrician but I can't see why one of these wouldn't do the trick just as well http://www.screwfix.com/prods/87450/. Or have I missed something?

[Steve P]

The link shows 110V cable and that's no good as EHU's are 230V over here.

[Fozzie]

The link shows 110V cable and that's no good as EHU's are 230V over here.

Except... a cable is just a cable. I think it's only described as 110v to define its typical application (usually building sites). The other one on the screwfix site http://www.screwfix.com/prods/41728 is also described as 110v, but the description underneath clearly says 240v.

AFAIR from GCSE science what matters is the load it will take - 16amp, well within most EHU limits.

[bangadrum]

A cable is a cable, but a 110V connector won't go into a 230V one for obvious reasons...

Plenty of cheap and cheerful 16A 230V cables can be found online.

[chippieshaun]

I've got a 10 meter cable and have found it to be too short a few times.
I keep meaning to get another one so i can join the two together.

[ju]

the same as chippieshaun, we have just come back from a trip to a campsite in Bristol and spent the first night parked ontop of a hymer because our 10m cable wasn't long enough to reach the shared power stand. Luckily were able to move to a different pitch the next day and so keep the neighbours a safe distance. I would stick with the cable you have got.

Ju

[The Bobdogs]

Hi Fozzie,
That cable sounds just the job for my narrowboat mains hook up....if you decide to get rid of it let me know
Andy.

[Steve P]

Thats what I was trying to say, the plug is a tad different

[Fozzie]

A cable is a cable, but a 110V connector won't go into a 230V one

You sure about that? It looks like a standard IP44 connector, male/female, which I thought was what campsite EHU posts provide. There can't be another very-similar-but-not-quite-the-same standard, can there?

The consensus on length seems to be >20m though...

[AngeloEvs]

Leave it long! I cut mine down and, murphys law prevailed, every other site we stayed at needed a long cable. Yoo can't make a short lead longer!

[VWCamperfan]

A cable is a cable, but a 110V connector won't go into a 230V one

You sure about that? It looks like a standard IP44 connector, male/female, which I thought was what campsite EHU posts provide. There can't be another very-similar-but-not-quite-the-same standard, can there?

The consensus on length seems to be >20m though...

Connectors are different for 110 and 240. Colours are different, yellow for 110 and blue for 240 and the plugs pins are arranged differently which means you can't plug one into the otler accidently... Or on purpose!

Also a longer lead will need to be thicker due to voltage drop. Stick to the thick one!

[Titus A Duxass]

You sure about that? It looks like a standard IP44 connector, male/female, ?

...

Just for info. IP44 is just the weather rating of the connector and has nothing to do with the type.

[Red Westie]

Fozzie.... the plugs are definately different, the cable is probably suitable tho. However, if you want a shorter cable why don't you just shorten the one you've got...not that I would, sods law dictates you will need it the next time you camp.
Martin

[GBHgpJON]

A cable is a cable, but a 110V connector won't go into a 230V one

It will if you cut the lug off!!!!.........

E D I T.....not that I'm endorsing that you do.........

[keith]

I used to carry a 15m cable....caught out a couple of times...only by a meter or so....but enough to be embarrasing.

Now have a 25m on a proper winder...

I keep the 15 m for hooking up at home...to cool the fridge ( i meant beer) etc a couple of hours before we set off.

ebay bargains at this time of year ???