Motorhome electric connection at home
Although we travel for a number of months in each year we do connect our motor home to an electric point whilst we are home. I suspect many motorhome and even caravan owners do. Recently we had a rare power outage caused as it turned out by the cable to the van. I have now replaced the old orange cable with 2.5mm 3 core Armourflex cable with a Duraplug at one end and a weather proof hook up connector. It is plugged in to a MK waterproof double socket which is fixed to an external wall, mainly used for the electric lawnmower. Cost of cable was £1.40/metre. It seems to all work ok. I would be interested in othe people's ideas for making a home connection.
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Mind you, I’d be pretty wild after a power outage!
We have an outdoor waterproof power box but use the artic blue cable instead of orange. It’s more weather resistant. No problems have arisen in 10 years of use.
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Just the standard EHU cable with a short adaptor to 13a rubber plug, my standard socket is in the garage and the cable runs under the up n' over door when closed. Never had cause to repair a damaged cable at home, but the garage socket is protected by an ELCB.
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Our Bailey is parked next to the garage and I run a standard hook-up cable through a window into the garage, (I have slightly cut the window frame so the window still closes.) Seems to have worked for the last 25 years.
David
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I have a CEE 16 type waterproof socket on the outside wall of the garage, wire through wall and plugged into a regular socket inside the garage, installed it about 20 years back.
We have the van plugged into this while at home , never any problems.
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Use ordinary M/Home cable and 13amp connection through Circuit breaker. Van adjacent to garage so handy to keep batteries charged. You can use the main board to,switch between Habitation and vehicle batteries. Also handy to keep van aired with small fan heater from time to time. As we tour all winter rarely left standing for more than a couple of weeks.
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many schools of thought on the 'value/merit' of long term hooking up (battery life, charger life etc).
a decent solar panel and access to sunshine means we dont use a hook up...
having said that, i do have a proper waterproof outside socket and the same armour blue lead that TW mentions should i ever need to use it, which i have when OH and i have slept in the van when the house has been full of guests.....
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I plug the orange lead into a standard hook up socket mounted on the outside garage wall. I have a switch inside so that I can switch it off when not required and it is protected by a 16 amp circuit breaker. I use a spare hook up cable to connect to the MH.
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I'm the same as Metheven although with solar panels on the roof, I only plug in if I need 240v for something.
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Although the MH is plugged in at home the battery charger is off and only switched on if required. The solar panel keeps the battery topped up but struggles this time of year due to the low sun and my garage roof. The EHU comes into its own the day before departure and when cleaning the interior.
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I would like to suggest that the use of an ELCB/RCD protected supply should be considered as essential for personal safety. Also use a mains tester to ensure that your 'van is receiving an earth connection.
Finally, you should note that orange cables are not approved for low-temperature use, unless marked as 'arctic'.
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That’s why we use a blue cable and the whole of our house supply is protected.
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Tinwheeler has the ideal set up, including the use of 'arctic' cable (BS 7919 table 44) which can be used in sub-zero temperatures. Orange caravan cable is not recommended for use below +5C as it becomes brittle.
Some manufactures may brand their orange cable as meeting the 'arctic' spec, but the CEE / BS specs use blue and yellow as identifying colours.
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im certainly no electrician, DD, but im sure ive read somewhere that, when putting a charger back on after a break, rather than leaving it 'indefinitely', causes the charger to charge (briefly) at a higher rate, rather than just staying on float, thus bringing the battery upto its 'fullest' possible state....
as i say, i have no evidence for this, either way, just something ive read...somewhere.....
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depends how clever the charger is. The battery charger that you've had since Adam was a lad is just a charger, but many of today's smart chargers eg Ctek are intended to be plugged in & left connected to your battery for ever & a day.
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I've done exactly the same, first the outside hook up (same as on site) then a solar panel earlier this year so don't yet how it will cope through winter. It charges both the campervan leisure battery and starter battery. I still use the outdoor hookup occasionally when I want to use one of the van's mains sockets.
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my driveway is in the south side of my property and i do get a reasonable amount of sunshine...a 100w panel easily seems to keep 2 leisure and one vehicle battery fully charged.
i do have EHU access if ever i need it but the SP is a great 'fit it and leave it' gadget that does so much more than just keeps batteries charged in a drive....it allows for a much wider range of camping options which an outside socket cant
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The SP is a new concept for us and, so far, it's looked after the batteries in this van without the need to plug into the mains but, as we've only had the MH for a couple of months or so, it’s early days to say if it will suffice alone.
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