Sorry posting lots of questions today.
My bongo is not a conversion, however it has two plug sockets at the rear of the van with an EHU underneath the van. Whist camping earlier this week I bought a cable for it. But, the van kept tripping the campsite bollard. Any ideas what might be wrong?
Plug sockets
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scootmonkee
- Bongonaut
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2014 11:21 pm
Re: Plug sockets
Hello.
What were you running (what did you have plugged into the van sockets)? Unlike homes, campsite hook-ups have a limit on the power that can be drawn (and this can differ, from site to site, from 5amp to 16amp etc from recent experience).
If you were trying to run a hair dryer, for example (800 to 1800 watts, typically) that would be from 3.5amps to 7.8amps, just for the hair dryer. That would blow a low-power site, even at 800 watts. Electric kettles are also big users of power, as are fan heaters. Fridges, even condensing fridges, can draw quite a bit when starting off/kicking back in when the temperature rises. It all adds up.
Have a read of this: http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co ... ravanners/
Use this calculator after checking the ratings of the gear you are trying to use: http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electri ... ulator.htm
It may be that you simply overloaded the site connection. On the other hand, there may be a fault at the site end or with your cables/sockets/connections/gear. Eliminate the obvious first.
Hope this helps.
What were you running (what did you have plugged into the van sockets)? Unlike homes, campsite hook-ups have a limit on the power that can be drawn (and this can differ, from site to site, from 5amp to 16amp etc from recent experience).
If you were trying to run a hair dryer, for example (800 to 1800 watts, typically) that would be from 3.5amps to 7.8amps, just for the hair dryer. That would blow a low-power site, even at 800 watts. Electric kettles are also big users of power, as are fan heaters. Fridges, even condensing fridges, can draw quite a bit when starting off/kicking back in when the temperature rises. It all adds up.
Have a read of this: http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co ... ravanners/
Use this calculator after checking the ratings of the gear you are trying to use: http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electri ... ulator.htm
It may be that you simply overloaded the site connection. On the other hand, there may be a fault at the site end or with your cables/sockets/connections/gear. Eliminate the obvious first.
Hope this helps.
It starts with love for foliage and ends in camouflage...
Re: Plug sockets
The first time I plugged in an iphone charger and it tripped the bollard.
Then with the site manager present, I plugged in a camping lamp.
Then someone else hooked up to it and it worked fine. Seems to definitely be an issue with the van.
Then with the site manager present, I plugged in a camping lamp.
Then someone else hooked up to it and it worked fine. Seems to definitely be an issue with the van.
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g8dhe
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 10226
- Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:06 pm
- Location: Worthing, West Sussex.
- Contact:
Re: Plug sockets
Could be wired incorrectly, the Post's have an RCD built into them (legal requirement), same as you should have a Consumer unit with RCD and MCB's to isolate to meet regulations. Another problem with a socket underneath is that the connectors are only IP44 - Splash-proof, rather than waterproof consequently you can get moisture into the socket that then trips the RCD in the EHU post as soon as you connect it.
Spherical VisionsRe: Plug sockets
Thank you.
This does sound like its likely to be the problem. I did think it seemed strange to place it under the van.
This does sound like its likely to be the problem. I did think it seemed strange to place it under the van.