Gday...

Theft is indeed a problem of our society  and it was quite probably charitable of that 'experienced' vanner to give his considered advice.

However, based on that advice, perhaps you should not have a car or van or any other thing you possess because it is possible that it may be nicked. And lets be honest here - anything can get nicked even when you are 'safe' in your own home.

My advice would be that you use the LEGAL item when needed and hope that it won't be nicked - a low percentage event I would think.

I am not sure how you would 'secure' the Amphibian - perhaps you could give some thought to that end.

I assume you use your camp chairs etc despite the possibility they may get nicked? 

Cheers - John 

-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 27th of November 2016 09:48:23 AM

CC Bear wrote:

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Have a adaptor with a circuit breaker which I use at home for my power lead. Stopping at Bellinger showgrounds the other week where they had 15 amp power outlets. Told by one experienced vanner not to use the adapter if I was in a place with 10 amp outlets as it would disappear. So what do you use if you are in that situation?

Do you make a short lead up with a 15 amp and 10 amp plug NO - that is ILLEGAL and not a safe alternative

Do you put a 10 amp plug on a long 15 amp lead and what is legal? NO - that is ILLEGAL and not a safe alternative

Thanks

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Gday...

 Sorry CC Bear that you think I was being a sarcastic comedian  

The ONLY answers to your two questions are what I have provided above. An Amphibian is the ONLY legal way to connect your 10amp cord to a 15 amp outlet - particulaly at a camp spot.

http://ampfibian.com.au/

Yes - this topic has been flogged to death over the last decade - and the fact remains that the two "solutions" you sought in your questions are not LEGAL.

Again, sorry if you read my response as sarcastic and comedic.

However, I stand by the statement that EVERYTHING you, and all of us, own is liable to be stolen, that is a risk of ownership and therefore if we have it ... we use it - sometimes perhaps with the risk of it being stolen. 

Cheers - John

Sometimes I think people raise this issue as a "stir", as it has been discussed many times in this and other places, and always ends the same way.

Damn it!!!! I saw this post building into one of those which causes contradicting colourful and Entertaining responses, Chests being pumped out, a flow of various opinions, the talk of Legalities,Illegalities, What's right, What' wrong, and the most important which member reins supreme with the last comment and declares themselves the ultimate Guru of knowledge. Well I will start with, The mention of this "Legal Device" the Amphibian which neglects to mention that the current limiting device built into it (the 10amp Circuit Breaker and RCD) will need the user to be aware not to use Electric Heater and say Electric Jug at the same time and possibly several other combinations otherwise a path will be beaten to and from The Amphibian and Van. Looking over my fairly non confrontational Reply I cant see this helping to keep this thread alive so perhaps I will mention What I do in a Similar Situation. I have made up an adapter with a 15 amp female socket 250m/m cable down to a 10amp male Plug and make a mental note not to draw more than 10amps at any one time. Also my truck is strategically wired with the layout having ONLY 10amp Circuit breakers spread out over 4 individual areas within the truck. Ok this might incite some responses to a dwindling thread      

Rockylizard don't think you need to feel bad about your post , Maybe the OP is having a bad day .

Izabarack wrote:

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rockylizard wrote:

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The ONLY answers to your two questions are what I have provided above. An Amphibian is the ONLY legal way to connect your 10amp cord to a 15 amp outlet - You omitted to include "...particularly at a camp spot".

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 I was buying power conditioning devices in the early 90s to connect 10 Amp outlets to 15 Amp inlets.   All perfectly legal.   A custom installation in equipment intended for use by the military, I was responsible for sourcing and organising the C Tick labels for the devices before supply so the devices could be legally used to connect to Australian grid power.   There are any number of devices that can legally sit between a 10 Amp outlet and a 15 Amp inlet.   An Amphibian is one device that fits the purpose and the device is easily available to the average caravan owner.   Possession of the so called Cheater cord is not illegal, only its use to connect to grid power.   Cheater cords interfere with safety devices and other methods for keeping people safe and should be in the bin purely on safety grounds.

CC Bear, maybe people are misinterpreting your first post.   Your experienced caravanner suggested that any adaptor would be stolen??????   Any legal adaptor would be an attractive item for the light fingered so perhaps you are asking for suggestions more aimed at keeping hold of your adaptor.     Theives annoy the dickens out of me but I already have several wildlife cameras and always set one or two up at night in dodgy situations.

Iza

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Gday...

It needs to be noted that the Amphibian is the only adaptor WEATHER-PROOF APPROVED for use in outdoor locations such as in a van park, showground, back yard etc etc. Any other "adaptor" is considered illegal when used in an 'outside' location.

In case the link I provided previously is not fully read, I provide the following 'snipped' from that website (and have left it as an attachmet so it can be more easily read) -

Cheers - John

The inevitable arguments have started. I'm calling Cindy.

John, I was actually looking at these $190 Amphibians in Bunnings yesterday as I wanted to hook the van to my 10amp household supply in order to get the fridge cold overnight prior to leaving on a trip. There was another cheaper Amphibian ($140) which was also rated for outdoor use, looking at the specs the only difference I can see is that this one didn't have the surge protection - would this unit still be suitable ? They also had an indoor version for $90 but obviously that one wasn't fit for purpose. My son is an electricial contractor who will put a 15amp outlet on the outside wall for me so I can run a normal 15amp lead to the van but I'm thinking to stay legal/safe I will still need something like the Amphibian when we are on the road.

I don't know about theft when travelling but I am probably just as worried about leaving my nice new bright orange lead hanging from the van while its sitting on our footpath overnight. It's like anything else that you own if some low life wants it badly enough they'll help them self. I guess I could camp on the footpath all night with a baseball bat but I think I'll just have to take the risk.

rockylizard wrote:

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..... the Amphibian is the only adaptor WEATHER-PROOF APPROVED for use in outdoor locations such as in a van park, showground, back yard etc etc. Any other "adaptor" is considered illegal when used in an 'outside' location.

John, When you put "only" there, did you leave out "that I know of" ?

 

  When I was involved in providing power adaptors to the Military, they had to be MIL Spec and all the approval paperwork handed over as part of the contract.   The power conditioners were commercially available items, already approved for use to the grid, in all locations.

Iza