Quote: Originally posted by 4princesses on 18/4/2011
Thanks everyone for your replies.
Just checked my halogen heater and that has a power of 1050W, so thats going to take about half of my allowance! The mini fridge, in cold mode (which is all I'll use it for, didn't even realise it had a hot mode!) is 32-60W, that seems very low though, I hope its right, lol!
Just unplug the heater if you want to plug any other high wattage appliance in, then plug it back in afterwards.
Quote: Originally posted by 4princesses on 18/4/2011
Thanks everyone for your replies.
Just checked my halogen heater and that has a power of 1050W, so thats going to take about half of my allowance! The mini fridge, in cold mode (which is all I'll use it for, didn't even realise it had a hot mode!) is 32-60W, that seems very low though, I hope its right, lol!
The short cut around the table that you can have up to 2300W of stuff plugged in at the same time on a 10A EHU.
Call it 1100 for the heater and the fridge, and you've got 1200 left for hair dryers and the like.
I would aim for a bit of a safety margin and plan to unplug the heater if using anything else powerful. 60W sounds about right for the fridge (if there's a range, assume the upper number when working out loading).
Chances are that you will want to use the heater at night before you go to bed. Unless your daughter is incredibly vain, I doubt this is when she will be straightening her hair! In the morning I doubt you will need the heater, so do all the other things then. The fridge will be fine running constantly.
I think the most we used ours for at once was the fridge, hair straighteners, radio and phone charger and it was fine (think we had a 10A EHU).
Without sounding really dumb, or making it really complicated, can I ask a question? If I have got an electric hotplate which is 2000w - is that 2000w at full power?
I have bought a double electric boiling ring, one ring is larger and is 2000w and one is smaller at 1000w. So if I was to use both, but only on a low setting, would that be OK?
So glad of the help that people have provided on here with this btw, I am new to this electric lark too.
If you use both rings at full chat that is around 15A and is going to trip the breaker unless you have a 16A EHU. You don't magically get more amps upgrading your breaker though - it's the one in the supply that determines how much you get.
So you should be able to use both rings at low power, or the small ring at full power and the larger one on low.
It may need a bit of experimentation to find out exactly how much you can get away with. I suggest experimenting during the day so you don't kill yours - and everyone else's - lights.
What I found totally removes any doubt is a cheap(ish) 4 socket Extension lead with a power meter built in
http://www.maplin.co.uk/power-strip-with-energy-and-co2-meter-348228
£9.99 and it can show you how many Watts or Amps you are drawing at any time from everything plugged in
Before you go, you can use it to measure all your kit, see how much it uses, write it down, which means you have a good idea when on site,
But of course, you use it whilst camping to know exactly how much you are using instantly..
for £10 I think it's a godsend, even though I can calculate it all etc, it's nice to know exactly how much you are actually using, and I've found it very accurate!
Re your question:
I have bought a double electric boiling ring, one ring is larger and is 2000w and one is smaller at 1000w. So if I was to use both, but only on a low setting, would that be OK?
The answer is no,if you put it on low it still uses the same amount of electricity but the heat is controlled thermostatically so that when the hotplate reaches the selected setting it cuts out.It will just use 2000w for a shorter time.
Saxo1
Invest in some gas hair straighteners. That way your daughter can use them regardless of if you camp with EHU or not. I have a gas hair curlers and can get the gas cartridges from the local pharmacy.
You can find them on ebay easy enough.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Bit nervous about electrics!
