15amp (motorhome) to 10amp (house) - is there a safe way?

Campfire · Veteran Member

15amp (motorhome) to 10amp (house) - is there a safe way?

Smokeydk · Guru

Maybe you could purchase one these....

http://www.ampfibian.com.au/products.htm

-- Edited by Smokeydk on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 07:13:11 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

I might be wrong but I think as long as you have the appropriate power cable you can plug into a house.
I did see a huge motorhome bus today parked out the front of a house in town and noticed the electrical cord leading into the house.

I always wonder about this myself because when we go into a powered site we just plug in, but I have read on here there are things you have to do.
I'm still presuming it is to make sure you have the appropiate power cable, I did this at my sons last year without any problems as I do have the appropriate cable.
I know this all sounds long winded but it is something that has always worried me too.

Smokeydk · Guru

HW.......when I bought my caravan....I had a 15A power plug and circuit breaker installed..in my carport..as caravans use 15A not 10A..most 15A power leads are orange in colour.and have big earth pins

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes, thats what i've got smokey, the big orange one with the big pins. The big pins plug into my van plug and the other end plugs into a power point.
So that is ok to plug into a house power points??????

jonathan · Guru

I bought one of the amphibian ones too ..

Jon

Campfire · Veteran Member

Thank you, the Amphibian came up when I went Googling, there didn't seem to be anything else that's legal and safe.

Cheers, Cate

NeilandRaine · Guru

you can go to Bunnings buy a 10 amp male plug and a 15 amp female and connect them together. Highly illegal but it is what most people do

gillyb · Senior Member

Smokeydk wrote:
Maybe you could purchase one these....

http://www.ampfibian.com.au/products.htm

At a price of $260 its a bit steep for me I have heard that an electrician may be able to make up an extension cable with a 15amp fitting to a 10amp but was told these are illegal and dangerous. I would be interested to know if anyone has used these and if any problems?

-- Edited by Smokeydk on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 07:13:11 PM

ozjohn · Guru

gillyb wrote:
Smokeydk wrote:
Maybe you could purchase one these....

http://www.ampfibian.com.au/products.htm

At a price of $260 its a bit steep for me I have heard that an electrician may be able to make up an extension cable with a 15amp fitting to a 10amp but was told these are illegal and dangerous. I would be interested to know if anyone has used these and if any problems?

-- Edited by Smokeydk on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 07:13:11 PM

Any electrician that made up such a lead would not only be an idiot, but breaking the law and putting his license in jepardy.
Ozjohn.

Do I have a 30cm long cheat lead? Hmmmmm.

-- Edited by ozjohn on Wednesday 28th of December 2011 02:01:23 PM

Dellalan · Veteran Member

When at home use a 15amp plug installed by an Electrician. Also, when travelling and likely to stay somewhere without a 15amp plug, the Ampfibian is ideal. A little expensive, but great product.
I have seen some other 15amp to 10amp convertors at Bunnings, but not sure how effective they are. I have also used the modified plug in the past, but wouldn't take the risk now.

Alan

Campfire · Veteran Member

Thanks for all the information, I think I'll definetly go with The Amphibian, they're a bit expensive but I'll sleep better at night.

Have a great New Year everyone and hopefully I'll meet a lot of you on the road in 2012.

Cheers - Cate

sheeds · Veteran Member

Campfire. If you're going to be staying at this particular friend's place a few times again call a sparky to install a 15amp plug. About $200 all up. Now if you're talking several friends then this is a no-go idea. Caravan park plugs as Ozjohn knows are 15amp. You can buy a 10amp lead with a 15amp female from Middy's but you'd have to use it with an eye on usage,maybe for lights & TV only,not the aircon,fridge,hairdryer,electric jug or electric stove!!

jimricho · Guru

Keep in mind that household 10 amp power points are protected by circuit breakers of at least 15 amp rating so that it is well possible to exceed the 10 amp rating of the power point/plug/cable combo without tripping the breaker (or fuse in old installations) if using a "cheat lead".

(Disclaimer: this post is not intended to imply support for using 10-15 amp "cheat lead")

Campfire · Veteran Member

Thankyou everyone, I've ordered the AmpFibion on line for $230.00 - very happy. I'm at Barrington Tops at the moment butit should be at my PO box when I get back.

Great forum!!!!! Cheers Cate