Hi - apparently in France (where we are going camping) they have power points that you can use. I've heard you need a 'hookup' to connect to the powerpoints. Can you get a hookup that has a uk plug socket on the other end? Or even better, multiple uk plug sockets at the other end.
It would be great if we could have a multiplug in our tent so we can have lights, kettle etc.. all on at the same time.
Thanks
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They have them in the UK too! What you need is a standard UK 'EHU' - electric hook-up, which normally comes with several sockets as well as a trip switch built in. The other end plugs into a standard UK campsite hook-up socket which is weather-proof. In france you need to use a french hook-up adapter - around £5 from most good camping shops or get one on-line. We also take an extension lead because we always end up wanting to power things in different places - powering a kettle in the kitchen area and a pump for the beds in the bedrooms etc! Just make sure you don't leave any electric sockets anywhere where there is any possibility of them getting damp - of course! If using electric lights make sure they are designed for outdoor/camping use, not just standard household use, as they will be designed to cope with damp etc. Again most camping shops sell several types.
What I dont understand though is, if you look at the continental converter on that page as well, it looks like it has a plug on the end - so how does the EHU connect to that? I would have though you would have the blue connector and then a plug socket, not a plug at the other end.
Also - that link - the EHU - the three covered sections - they just have standard UK plug sockets under them?
Yes that is indeed what you need, under the three covered sections are three UK sockets. The continental converter shown - the two pin plug end plugs into the French campsite power supply socket, the blue end attaches to the blue end of your UK EHU lead which you then run into your tent. TIP: if your tent has an EHU entry point it's generally not very big - you'll need to run the entire length of cable through the point from the inside of your tent, leaving the sockets inside the tent, before then plugging it all in to the campsite power supply - that way you're less likely to have the lead going through doorways and becoming a nasty accident waiting to happen (think kettle full of boiling water...!).
make sure you have a long extension lead as we are in france at moment and our pitch is a long way from sockets and we asked for EHU pitch so ended up borrowing lead
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
It should be noted that a number of French sites have now converted to the standard UK type (Blue) hook up at 10 amp, although be aware that they can still have incorrect polarity.
For a tent - the original link gives you everything you need. Two items - the EHU with multiple sockets for a tent, or a normal hook-up cable for a caravan, and the continental adaptor with the two-pin end - some sites still require this. If you have a modern up to date EHU and modern equipment then you don't need to worry about anything else - honestly! We've camped/caravanned in France for 26 years and these are the only two items we carry!
If you should happen to need a longer lead then the sites which require it will lend you it free or charge or on a returnable deposit. Three sockets will surely be all you require once you're actually on site.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 29/7/2009
On this subject (sort of), just how many appliances can you use at once on a 6 amp site in France without tripping?
Anne
That depends on how many Watts each appliance is. A simple rule is this:
Watts divided by Volts gives Amps, so therefore:
A kettle which is for example 1000 Watts divided by 240 Volts= 4.16Amps.
If your kettle is specifically for camping/caravanning, it will probably be more like 800 Watts. So, 800/240 = 3.33 Amps.
If you have, say, a fridge running on electric, that takes roughly 150 Watts, 150/240 = 0.625, or nearly 3/4 of an Amp.
Lights also take a minimal amount, but will add up of course with other things
So if you then plug in, say, a hairdrier at 800 Watt, you will be at over 7 Amps.
Microwaves are notorious for tripping, as they take a lot of current on start-up, although once running, they don't. Don't know if you have one, we don't, but thought I'd mention it.
A fan heater can often be set to either 1 or 2kW, so if you have one of those, be careful on a 6 Amp site when you want to put the kettle on.
BTW, some sites in France don't even have 6 Amp, we've stayed on some with only 3 or 4!! Makes life even more interesting
Thanks Ina, just found this, thanks for the link. We will have to buy a camping kettle, and the only time I use our microwave is for jacket spuds, don't think we will be eating them in France. I don't own a hairdryer and we don't use a fan heater.
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Topic: French hook up?
