Wondered if anyone could help. We've just booked a few nights at the above site, electric tent pitch - our first foray into France with the tent. We have a normal UK electric unit with the three sockets and trip RCD thing.
I've tried to search for posts on French electrics but am completely confused about reverse polarity (or not), testers, cables etc.
So for a chap who likes things explained in plain talk, what do I need for this site, where can I get it and how much will it cost me?!
Cheers!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
You need just the normal blue euro three pin connector, use your common sense when dealing with electricity (ie keep junctions out of the wet) and to stop worrying! We've never bothered with anything special in terms of electrics and we've been doing France for thirty two years this year. You'll get all sorts of replies - but if you were going to a French hotel would you ask the same question? NO!!! You'd just take your adaptor and plug it in to the socket.
There's no difference between French hotel electric supplies, and French campsite electric supplies, so stop worrying!
I know you'll get all the alternative views - and you will take your pick of which advice to follow but we've been safe, not exploded anything, electrocuted ourselves, or done any damage to our supplies, in the last thirty-two years - and probably only learned about 'reverse polarity' in the last five years!
Thanks Val, so I just need an adapter then? From the threads I'd read it was suggested that I needed to start swapping cables about on my lead. I take it this is just people trying to do it on the cheap?
For those of us who take no notice of reverse polarity we just take our standard Euro blue (three pin ) hook up connector. See above
On some French sites you need a two pin 'French' adaptor, as above, but not at La Croix.
The 'reverse polarity people' take a 'tester' and a 'corrector lead' as well, but as I said, if you were going to a French hotel you wouldn't even ask the question.
There are polarised views on this, and I've no doubt that the 'you must correct THE PROBLEM' posts will be added but if you want cheap and cheerful (and safe) then just take your euro connector!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
we have been to La Croix du Vieux Pont a number of times and have never used anything other than the adapters that Val has suggested and not had a problem at all. We had to use the two pin adapter on a pitch where they had 2 three pin and 2 two pin on the bollard (that pitch was round the lake), the other pitch we had was in the Park area and we used the normal 3 pin plug we use at home in an extention supplied by the site (covered by a black bin liner!). Other occasions we've been in mobile homes where it had normal uk plugs, hope you have a great time,
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Sorry to sound like a complete idiot but I still have no idea what's going on. In that first picture Val, is that just the normal uk lead that i already have or is it some kind of converter?
Also, sounds like it might be worth getting one of those in the 2nd picture as well, depending on the pitch we're allocated.
Sorry to sound like a complete idiot but I still have no idea what's going on. In that first picture Val, is that just the normal uk lead that i already have or is it some kind of converter?
Also, sounds like it might be worth getting one of those in the 2nd picture as well, depending on the pitch we're allocated.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by canvaslove on 13/6/2012
..In that first picture Val, is that just the normal uk lead that i already have..
Yes.
Quote: Originally posted by canvaslove on 13/6/2012...or is it some kind of converter?
No.
Quote: Originally posted by canvaslove on 13/6/2012..Also, sounds like it might be worth getting one of those in the 2nd picture as well, depending on the pitch we're allocated...
Croix Has reverse polarity electic supply.We were there last year,and I tested it with the correct kit,and it showed reverse polarity.I know others will say "We never bother,we just plug our normal electrics in" Fine if it works ok,but a lot of modern electrical equipment is sensitive to reverse polarity.LED and LCD displays don't like,as they cease to function.Try reversing the polarity on your central heating boiler and see what happens,you'll love having no heating or hot water.The best advice is to test and correct,to protect the equipment you have bought with you hard earned money,search on ebay,and you will get a complete kit with tester for around £10,better than 2 or 300£'s for a new tv or other bit of expensive kit.
This kit is £16.99 +p&p. Here's a direct link:- Jegs11 Keynexions
Post last edited on 13/06/2012 10:25:39
Post last edited on 13/06/2012 10:27:22
------------- If the moon reflects the suns light,why does it not reflect the suns heat?
We actually got our conversion lead from the same eBay seller, but didn't bother with the reverser lead, for the same reasons as Val. We don't take a TV. I do understand though why folks want the peace of mind.
One thing. The lead on our item was *much* shorter than the pic and text on the listing (not the same listing linked above). I believe the seller is a sparky and so makes the leads up which I suppose can result in differences. It's not a problem, as it's long enough to use, just not what I expected.
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
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Topic: Electric at La Croix du Vieux Pont
