power connect to house

chugger · Member

power connect to house

daffyfrancis · Senior Member

Hi,

I am no techi but to be legal I think you will need either a 15amp power outlet installed at your house or a "amphibian" type adapter that plugs into a 10amp house outlet & has a connection for your 15amp caravan/motorhome power cord. (your description is the wrong way round - motorhome standard would be 15amp & house 10amp) .

If you go with the easy "amphibian" type adapter you will limit the power being able to be used in the motorhome to 10amps.

You will need just your 15amp standard caravan/motorhome lead to connect to caravan parks but the "amphibian" adapter can be handy to carry if you visit friends etc to allow you to plug into their 10amp house outlets

David

Dougwe · Chief one feather

This is the beast Chugger.

I have one in the back of the tug at all times ready for if I get an invite to visit friends at home base etc.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

15 amp . Power point on its own circuit . Easy just to get one fitted at meter board .. Iâll sit back and watch with my popcorn ..

Jaahn · Guru

chugger wrote:
I hope someone might clarify something. I've heard that I shouldn't connect my motorhome power source to our house power source with a standard extension cord, without an adaptor, due to differences in amps (10amps in van, 15amps in house). Is this correct? If so, do I need one of these adaptors to plug in at a caravan park? Thanks in advance.

Hi chugger smile

Some good advice already given. Just to clarify the practical points for you. If you have a normal legal 15 amp cord to use for your motor home, it will not fit in an ordinary 10A household power point. The 15A plug has a bigger earth pin to prevent it going in. The 15A lead will fit into the caravan park power points as they are allways 15A types.

So you need a 15A power point at home to plug into, Or you can use an approved adaptor which limits the current drawn to 10A from the household power point so it is safe. The adaptor will just trip out and need resetting if you use too much. Just buy one of them and restrict your use of the big power things in the MH.eg air conditioner.

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 15th of March 2018 07:46:13 PM

-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 15th of March 2018 07:48:42 PM

aussie_paul · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
This is the beast Chugger.

I have one in the back of the tug at all times ready for if I get an invite to visit friends at home base etc.

Hey Doug, it wouldn't get used much then Mate!!!!! biggrin biggrin biggrin

Craig1 · Guru

probly in sealed original pack, just jokin

C00P · Senior Member

We have one too. Ensures we are legal if we plugin at home or at friends or rellies places.
They now market two types- one is waterproof and can be used even if it is raining. It is more expensive. The other does the same job but can't be left in the rain.
By the way- we bought ours at the big green store who promise they'll beat a price by 10% if it is lower than theirs. We compared their price with an online store and the online deal was cheaper even with postage included. We got the discount...

Coop

-- Edited by C00P on Thursday 15th of March 2018 11:16:20 PM

chugger · Member

thank you, purchased 15amp rubber cord for camp ground use

Ron-D · Guru

Whats wrong with simply putting a 15 amp plug on the end of a short lengh of 10 amp cable ,I have done this 10 years ago three caravans and the sky hasent fallen in yet,but educate me please I dont get it...

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

The other way around . The 15 amp plug WONT fit in 10 amp . Yes there is ways around . But it is done this way so dumb and ignorant people dont overlead the cable or plug . As an inspector . Itâs often the electricians that bodgy things up . But Atleast they ( should ) know the limits of cable or plug !â Yes a short lead can be made up ? Or some filing ?? Please DONT do that ! Use the device above which protects the load on house or lead !!

iana · Guru

The only difference between std 10a power points and 15a power points, is that the std 10a supply has multipule outlet sockets, while the 15a has only one socket. Circuit breakers and hard wired cable is exactly the same.

wasn_me · Guru

Years back I purchased a 2nd hand van. The 15 amp lead that came with it had the earth pin filed down. This didn't worry me as I knew it was a 15 amp lead. I was camped north nsw coast. When I returned from a drive, there was a note on my van to come to the office. The park manager said they'd had an electrical audit & my lead was condemed. He gave me back my lead with the plug sniped off. He loaned me a lead for the week. This was probably 20 years ago. Cheers Pete

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Iiana your right . But missed one important thing . With multiple power points . You can over load system . With one 15 amp circuit you know the load ..

T1 Terry · Guru

Ron-D wrote:
Whats wrong with simply putting a 15 amp plug on the end of a short lengh of 10 amp cable ,I have done this 10 years ago three caravans and the sky hasent fallen in yet,but educate me please I dont get it...

Stirrer wink Poor Peter Oldtrack will have steam coming out his ears just reading your post :lol:

T1 Terry

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Ahahaha a rod . Line .. &. Sinker . Lol

Ron-D · Guru

Looks like there?s criticism but no sensible answer, a short lengh of new ten amp cable brand new 10 amp plug still on cable ,now heres the hard part connect 3 simple wires to a brand new 15 amp socket ,this is a very simple job and it can be done in a very neat manner,whats wrong with it I dont get it! its been working to perfection for ten years.,nothing has been overloaded in the ten years ,no fire ,no brimstone just a simple thing any one used to working with cable can make ,Iam not an electrician but I have made lots of extension leads over the years please enlighten me oh great ones..

-- Edited by Ron-D on Saturday 17th of March 2018 08:51:08 AM

Santa · Guru

Ron-D wrote:
Looks like there?s criticism but no sensible answer, a short lengh of new ten amp cable brand new 10 amp plug still on cable ,now heres the hard part connect 3 simple wires to a brand new 15 amp socket ,this is a very simple job and it can be done in a very neat manner,whats wrong with it I dont get it! its been working to perfection for ten years.,nothing has been overloaded in the ten years ,no fire ,no brimstone just a simple thing any one used to working with cable can make ,Iam not an electrician but I have made lots of extension leads over the years please enlighten me oh great ones..

-- Edited by Ron-D on Saturday 17th of March 2018 08:51:08 AM

Dougwe offered a sensible, legal and safe option in the third post.

PeterD · Guru

You can apply all the so-called "common sense" arguments you like but the underlying thing under the law is you are not permitted to construct a lead with connectors of different current ratings on the ends. Its mainly tied up with current supply requirements. I am not going to generate pages of script describing the principles but if you knew much about power supply design then you would not have to ask.

The bottom line is that you may be able to manage the power requirements but when you build an au-authorised device than others are able to get their hands on it. If they misuse the device then you are the culpable person when the excreta hits the fan.

Ron-D · Guru

Ok its ileagle,but but theres no way its unsafe ,there has been no reason given why its unsafe ,just people stating because its 240 we cant have any one making these things up I understand that,but there is no way this one I have made is unsafe but with this post I have touched on a subject which has left myself open to criticism . Lets just forget about it I wont leave myself open to this again no way Iam learning with forums be very carefull what you wright ..

-- Edited by Ron-D on Saturday 17th of March 2018 10:16:41 AM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Ron, if you are smarter than all of the regulators, you are a very smart man. :)

Cheers,
Peter

Dick0 · Guru

Ron-D wrote:
Ok its ileagle,but but theres no way its unsafe ,there has been no reason given why its unsafe ,just people stating because its 240 we cant have any one making these things up I understand that,but there is no way this one I have made is unsafe but with this post I have touched on a subject which has left myself open to criticism . Lets just forget about it I wont leave myself open to this again no way Iam learning with forums be very carefull what you wright ..

-- Edited by Ron-D on Saturday 17th of March 2018 10:16:41 AM

Too much fuss about a simple electrical connection. Of course it works. How do the majority of caravanners connect their tug to the house. I seriously doubt they're all purchasing expensive & overpriced 15A to 10A adapters.

A suitable cable, 15A socket & 10A plug does the job well. Why are these parts sold in the first place? As far as I know there are no restrictions making up your own extension leads. My electrician mate has done the same!

No problems over the years. Run fridge, aircon, HW, charger etc. Never tripped a fuse. No heat at cables, at sockets or at plugs. If it were a problem tugs would be fitted with 15A internal power points and higher rated tug wiring.

As for the legality? I leave that to the budding lawyers on the forum.

confuse

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I have run mine through a cheap breaker board . Inside out of weather . This way itâs protected . Most houses have them anyway . Under $10 ..

Santa · Guru

Never ceases to amaze me, people cut corners, bodgy things up and play all sorts of games to save a few bucks, and, most of the time they get away with it.

However just wait until there is an incident where an insurance claim is denied because of an illegal power hook up, the screams will be loud and the insurance company proclaimed a bunch of dodgy b*stards.

It simply ain't worth it.

T1 Terry · Guru

What you make for your own use is up to you as far as I'm concerned, might not be the rules but then ..... Anyway, had a van with a young family come in for a lithium conversion on a near new van. The previous owner gave them his cheater lead, that is what they call the 10 male and 15 amp female make up lead. While they were still at home getting the feel for living in the van because their planned trip was over 6 mths long, they caught the 10 amp plug, 10 amp power point and the wiring inside the wall on fire. Fortunately the active wire inside the wall cavity failed and the circuit was broken, the fire was discovered when "dad" went to find out why the power went out. A simple case of inexperience and over loading the 10 amp socket, if it plugs in and turns on in the house then if the van is connected to the house I should be able to do the same thing.
So "dad" bought an amphibian so the fire problem didn't happen when visiting friends, kinda hard to explain burning their house down. When the family arrived there was not a lot of joy on the part of the kids cause the power kept going off, mum was some what tiffed but was sure the new battery set up would solve the problem.

After the system was up and running they parked up out the front to try it all out for the night. A few hrs after dinner there was an alarm sounding and then all went dark. Turned out the Amphibian had tripped on overload, the UPS inverter and battery kicked in and supplied power till it started to get hot and sounded the alarm. It was the 16 amp circuit breaker that finally cut the supply. A quick check of the peak load seen by the Victron BMV revealed 4600w, 20 amps. The older boy had the dirts big time by now, "these batteries don't work either"
When I asked them to repeat what was turned on after resetting the circuit breakers, the air cond was on, the TV, set top box and kids computers as well as both parents computers, the hot water service and the last straw was the young fella had be told to do the dishes so he filled the kettle and turned that on as well. Sure enough, the inverter alarm went off and a few mins later the circuit breaker tripped.

Could this be the cause of the extension cord, plug and power point catching fire, trying to drag 20 amps through a 10 amp lead?
Easy enough to make, but in inexperienced hands is a safe way around the regulations? Is it a good idea to suggest such a practice on an open forum?

All I'm doing is pointing out the potential problems, legality is not my concern cause I'm not making the suggestion or building the lead, or using the lead for that matter.

T1 Terry

T1 Terry · Guru

As far as the Amphibian goes, isn't there something in the standards about multiple extension cords not being legal for a transportable premises? I'll leave that to the standards police to add the "Shall" and "Shall not" where applicable and explain the logic and how this gets around the legalities

T1 Terry

msg · Guru

I am well prepared. I have an amphibian and I also have a 15amp power outlet installed a home (legal by a qualified electrician). Don't mess with electricity.

Ron-D · Guru

Just one final note this lead connects to a single 240 outlet in my garage when needed its never in the weather ,its only needed rarely to top the battery up,the house is fused with safety switches the caravan has its own trip switch,how the Hell could this thing give any trouble its been in use for ten years three caravans,my fingers when connecting only touch the switch after the cable is connected , when disconnecting the switch has been turned off before fingers even touch the cable. Illegal maybe? Unsafe no way....

-- Edited by Ron-D on Saturday 17th of March 2018 03:21:20 PM

Dick0 · Guru

Ron-D wrote:
Just one final note this lead connects to a single 240 outlet in my garage when needed its never in the weather ,its only needed rarely to top the battery up,the house is fused with safety switches the caravan has its own trip switch,how the Hell could this thing give any trouble its been in use for ten years three caravans,my fingers when connecting only touch the switch after the cable is connected , when disconnecting the switch has been turned off before fingers even touch the cable. Illegal maybe? Unsafe no way....

-- Edited by Ron-D on Saturday 17th of March 2018 03:21:20 PM

I am sure you speak for many thousands of vanners out there that have been doing this for decades. Me being one!

Mike Harding · Guru

I think this is a case of... if you know what you are doing it's not an issue.

If you have to ask about it on a forum then you should probably stick to the rules.