Please help: we are complete newbies and have been told there is eletricity available at the site in france - but what does this mean ? We would be grateful for pointers about what we would can use it for and what we will need to take - its fine to spell out the obvious as we really dont know! Thanks everyone
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Hi Kitcat - there are answers to your earlier post. Click here to read them. The post has just disappeared over the 'page', on to page 5! You have to be quicker looking for replies as there are so many posts on here!
All you need is a EHU unit, Aldi were doing them for £40 basicly a 20m cable with a box of tricks at one end containing 3 sockets and RCD trip, the other end plugs into the mains supply bollard on the campsite, the only additional item you may need is a adaptor, in case the campsite does not have the standard comando type conector at the bollard, but that would be a rare event these days.
Hi once you have your continental adaptor for your uk rcd unit you will be fine - there are lots of threads about reverse polarity etc which you will find on a search on here and make up your own mind. Some sites have UK 3 pin sockets and some have continental sockets so it is definitely worth getting a continental adaptor for around £7. The main thing to remember is that normally in France or Italy the hook up is usually only 6amps which is around 1350 watts of electricity. Your fridge and tv if you take them won't take much wattage at all but if you use a hair dryer or mini oven, kettle or toaster or anything which generates heat you need to be careful.
Post last edited on 20/06/2011 06:54:15
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We always camp with an EHU when in France; it makes such a difference to be able to run a cool-box 24 hours a day, to have usable light for cooking, eating, reading, playing cards and so on. In addition, we always take a radio/cd player (this year an mp3 player and speakers) to enjoy some music – obviously not loud enough to affect international relations, though! My wife always seems to be on the phone so she can charge it up and we can re-charge the camera batteries and so on. We have an electric kettle (which saves on Camping Gaz), we also use it to inflate our double bed and, last but not least, for the discreet glamping lanterns!
In fact, we would be quite lost without it – it is an essential (for us) to enjoy our (very) comfortable camping.
We have followed the various threads regarding adaptors, reverse polarity and so on and our tool box contains a number of spare leads and connectors but, most importantly, a polarity tester. Apart from an iron tripping the fuse once, we have, to date (and fingers crossed) never experienced any problems.
I do so hope that you will enjoy your trip away, we are off to the south of France next week and can’t wait!
------------- Ecowoody
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks - feel very positive about our first trip with the kids although feel like theres quite a bit to understand/sort out - but then after the first time it will be much easier Im sure !
I think the important thing about camping is you very much make it the sort of holiday you want it to be rather than being obliged to follow someone else’s ideas about what you should be enjoying! Camping in France is such a different experience to camping in the UK; they seem so much better set up for it; the sites tend to be more mature with trees and hedges and a sense of privacy about them.
The important thing is to relax, do what you would like to do and enjoy yourself. If you find that you have forgotten anything, the larger French supermarkets are as well stocked as Tesco’s! (Just don’t forget the corkscrew!)
Quote: Originally posted by ecowoody on 21/6/2011
The important thing is to relax, do what you would like to do and enjoy yourself. If you find that you have forgotten anything, the larger French supermarkets are as well stocked as Tesco’s! (Just don’t forget the corkscrew!)
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: electric hook up in tents in france
