We are going on our first camping trip to France, Brittany and using electronic hook up for the first time. What cable do we need and what type of plug is required? Is it the same plug for electric hook ups in the UK?
Thanks in advance
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Yes, the EHU on your pitch that we take for granted on UK sites is often not a thing in France especially on some of the more traditional sites or municipals which are also some of the loveliest and best located! Be prepared to traipse through the back of someone else's pitch with your very long cable and employ your best detective skills to find the box - all part of the fun :)
When I first considered camping in EU when I was a tenter back in 2009, reverse polarity was still being mentioned.
So I made myself an adaptor to address this issue back then, and it is part of what I carry in my van nowadays.
I also carry a 2-pin adaptor in case I need it.
Plus 3 EHU leads in 5m, 10m and 25m. The 5m has never been used, and the 10m one only about 3 times in UK since 2021. 25m is the main one that I use.
It may sound OTT, however, I do not wish to be caught out without electricity as I designed my van to use electricity for cooking and air conditioning (and as back-up for hot water and heating) as I do not wish to carry and use LPG.
It should be noted that a lot of the EHU kits available in UK come with 15m cable.
The roller unit with 4 plugs that I had was one such kit with only a 15m cable, and I bought a 25m extension (now the main lead for my van) in case I needed it. I had to use the extension about twice in 9 years.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
12 months after staying there, and having a good idea of where the sun sets/where we want to pitch etc...
Return to arrive at Ranville 30 mins or so before afternoon reception opens.
Sneak on site to check out how busy they are.
Discover our desired half of the site is literally guest-less, so we can have the lot to ourselves!
Double check the sun-path app thing on the mobile.
Settle on the desired pitch... wide, long, open sided, in full evening sun, practically to the last dregs of daylight.
Report back to reception to book in, and request the desired pitch number.
Check-in, show ACSI card, pay up, bung the receipt into wallet unchecked, drive through to the desired pitch.
Stand scratching my head thinking "Why the hell didn't I check for electric sockets before settling on this otherwise perfect pitch"!
Pootle sheepishly back to reception, announce one is an English buffoon, and can we please change to a pitch with electric! Pay the difference, and get a new receipt, this time showing electric charges... unlike the first receipt, which if you recall, went into my wallet unchecked!
The same pitch we had last year will do us just fine after all. Sun until 8pm ish, so not the end of the world I guess!
I may be incredibly handsome, but ye gads I can be a bit simple at times!
Yes Mucker - les Capuchins is a site where finding the EHU and water can be an initiative test. It won’t be far away but you may have to duck through a gap in one of their wonderful hedges
------------- Seeking luxury in unexpected places
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A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Electric hookup northern France
via mobile 18/6/2023 at 9:37pm
