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18/05/2008, 19:33 dottylou Joined on 19/05/2006 norfolk Posts 13 camping querry Hi there   we are coming camping later this year and will be able to have an electric hook up for the fisrt time. what kit do i need to buy before hand and what can i safely use that won't blow a fuse!!  Thanks.    Report

19/05/2008, 8:36 Sunday Driver Joined on 07/10/2005 Deux Sevres (79) Posts 2,752 Re: camping querry Assuming you have the necessary electrical equipment already installed in your caravan/campervan/trailer tent..... Most French campsite systems will accept the modern UK type hook up cable, but some continue to use the older two pin plus earth sockets, so you'd best buy an adapter to cover this eventuality. Reverse polarity can be an issue and most camping equipment shops can sell you a small polarity tester and a 'rewired' adapter to correct any reversed polarity supply.  If you ask the shop's advice, they will sort you out with everything.   French campsites usually have something like a 6 amp supply as standard but you can have the option of paying extra for an uprated connection.  Depends on which appliances you want to use.  If you overload the system, it will trip - the reset switch is usually situated in the hookup box and all you do is ask them at reception to reset it for you. That said, I have heard of people blacking out the whole site....       Waddya mean it's only Saturday......    Report

19/05/2008, 9:27 cooperlola Joined on 05/05/2006 72 - Sarthe - home of les 24 heures du Mans Posts 6,315 Re: camping querry I found this, from another forum I'm on, very useful as it shows the kind of adaptors SD refers to : The orange lead is an external type camping cable with the standard exterior round sockets (one male, one female). You then need a two pin plug with female round socket as seen towards the top of the picture. This is what plugs into the hook-up. And we then use a male round socket to standard UK three pin plug socket into which we plug an RCD. These can be seen at the bottom of the pic. We then plug 4-way extension leads into this. (Thanks to the The Brethren, of Club Arnage, for the pic.) Healthcare Issues Site    Report

19/05/2008, 17:10 dottylou Joined on 19/05/2006 norfolk Posts 13 Re: camping querry many thanks for the 2 replies,photo was very helpful,  a trip to the camping shop is next i think.    Report

19/05/2008, 18:27 trees 2 Joined on 28/04/2008 Posts 65 Re: camping querry DO be aware that SOME French sites are not RCD protected even now. Wickes, (and others) were selling an excellent  device last year that had an RCD on a spike, (to keep it above damp ground), with three or four English sockets incorporated onto it. My youngest went camping with one, and simply changed the UK plug for a French one. It cost around £10 with enough cable for the distance, and 6A capability. He said it was perfect for camping.    Report

05/06/2008, 13:35 dottylou Joined on 19/05/2006 norfolk Posts 13 Re: camping querry Still having trouble getting to grips with electricity thing.  If the site gives us 6 amps and i plug in my standard hairdryer that i use at home will there be enough power to it? our cable has an english socket on 'our ' end and we have a protecter unit RCD, would it be advisable to purchase a travel dryer with dual voltage? we are going to stay on a Kwan village site , either la Ferme des Aulnes or le val d;Authie in the Picardie region. i would welcome any comments on either,thanks.    Report

05/06/2008, 13:51 lostinfrance Joined on 31/05/2008 Posts 97 Re: camping querry Why buy a new one. when you can go to ladies wash and shower rooms and use the power points in there.   With a plug converter.    Report

05/06/2008, 14:29 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 Sharjah U.A.E Posts 2,023 Re: camping querry  Sunday Driver wrote: That said, I have heard of people blacking out the whole site....     Been there, ......Done that.....   St Dizier, municipal site, very embarrassing..... Steve Sharjah + 50 (in France) ........................................................................... Roll on death.....Demob is too far away.    Report

05/06/2008, 16:53 Frederick Joined on 27/05/2008 South Vendee / Dorset Posts 24 Re: camping querry The country to the North of France and a bit off to the right sends a lot of her campers and caravanners to France for hols ....They come fully kitted out with  loads of electrical gadgets and  many of them and need more than one hook up to power them  all ....That is my experience as an ex caravaner  so when the site supply blows ....look for the guy with the two hook ups.... he is probably running a dimplex oil filled radiator in his caravan at the same time as the TV off  his sat dish and freeview box while is wife has the microwave  fired up along with the chip fryer doing dinner ......You dont wear clogs do you powerdiesel ?    Report

05/06/2008, 17:08 cooperlola Joined on 05/05/2006 72 - Sarthe - home of les 24 heures du Mans Posts 6,315 Re: camping querry You are right about the Dutch, Frederick, they sure know how to camp! (and yes, that is a bar with the orange roof - complete with draft beer.) Healthcare Issues Site    Report

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