Please can anyone tell me how I can connect my caravan on drive to my house eletricty supply .I want to put a heater and light for a few hours a day .
Thanks
Hi Lilylily, I have my van on the drive, and have it hooked up to the house supply via the garage, 1, I have a timer in the AC wall socket, a 13amp house hold plug and heavy extension cable going through the garage wall on to a caravan hook up box(male socket) in the wall. 2, from there I use a caravan hook up female socket and the heavy extension cable running in a cable trunk along the wall, till it reaches the front of the caravan, where it goes into a 13amp waterproof socket, 3, then have a house hold 13anp plug attached to the heavy extension cable and another caravan (female socket on the end of that), finally I have a short length of hook up cable (orange) with both male and female connections, from there to van. Hope that makes sense. It may seam a bit off putting to have so many connections, the reason I have it this way is: Regulations in my area and there is a gap between the garage and the wall and access may be required to the drainage system, also van has to be close to wall for access to rear of property, the extension at front of van allows me to move van and so tyres don’t get flat spots sitting in one position, and when moved cant get access to out side plug or battery box, bonus is no long cables lying about driveway, and I can use the socket for other appliances. If you are going to do any out side extension wiring, make sure you use some form of earth leakage circuit breaker type fuse box, the electricians on here will advise you better on that side of things.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Why do you want to put a heater on? Do you plan on using the van on your drive?
If you are not going to use it a heater is a waste of money. All you need is to keep the vents built into the van clear to do their job and drain it down properly.
If your property has not got a RCD [residual current device] integrated into the consumer unit, then at the outlet socket that you are going to plug in your the EHU lead then install a stand-alone unit like this;
http://www.screwfix.com/p/rcd-adaptor/15263
This will greatly improve the overall safety of the lead from fatal electrical shocks should it be damaged or get damp into it.
Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 07/11/2011
Why do you want to put a heater on? Do you plan on using the van on your drive?
If you are not going to use it a heater is a waste of money. All you need is to keep the vents built into the van clear to do their job and drain it down properly.
Agreed.
I generally follow the usual winterise guide and have no problem whatsoever.
Personally I wouldn't want an unsupervised heater running in my van at all, regardless of what RCD protection was installed, or via a timer.
Generally, I would avoid fluctuations in temperature, especially if done quickly. Now, I'm certainly no scientist but it is my understanding that warm air generally holds more moisture than cold air. If warm air is cooled, then it becomes more humid, and if cooled enough, some of the moisture is forced out of the air as condensation. If you heat up the van periodically then my way of thinking is that this could be worse than leaving it cold all the time. Perhaps someone with more scientific knowledge than I can confirm or reject what I have just written. Just my contribution, for what it's worth.
i have ours wired to the shed 24/7 to a timer on for 4 hours a day.this charges the battery and runs a dehumidifier.agree with david not sure its good idea to heat each day,lights ok.if its really cold outside the heat could cause condensation it switched off. the wire goes into a groove in the drive flags so its not a trip hazard.used this set up for years without a problem.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Surely a heater would be on a thermostat so keeping the temperature from falling too low. So I cant see that causes any real risk of greater condensation but can address freezing problems. Doing this low level heating removes the problems associated with things getting very cold during a prolonged cold spell and then being condensation surfaces during an abrupt ambient change where warmer but damper air arrives.
I leave my Alde on its minimum 5 degree setting throughout the colder winter months. I also have a dehumidifier that I manually put on for a couple of hours every so often when the ambient conditions are "damp". Pre having Alde vans I, for heating, simply left an oil filled radiator type heater in there on minimum setting.
What we do seems to have controlled any problems for 30 years however it must have cost me a few £s in energy cost; but with the van values to us I accept that running cost as a prudent investment.
Thank you for all advice.
My caravan is my craft workshop and I can do a couple of hours per day in it .
Now the weather is colder and darker I need heat and warmth.
Cant I just plug into my garage with hook up and converter.
Help I don't want to electrocute myself.
When your away in the van you heat it during the day if its cold and, turn heating off at night.Whats the problem with doing this at the side of the house ? I agree with JHSW doing this,we in scotland dont have the same sort of weather during the cold nights as england our autum/winters are damp here..
Any external circuit should nowadays be protected by a 30Ma RCD you should check to see if your garage is protected by an RCD,some older consumer units have 100Ma RCDs' newer ones have split units with a 30Ma RCD on the ring main unit.If you are not sure then use a plug in portable RCD.
Having said that your van has an RCD so you don't need anything extra to protect yourself in the van it's just the extension lead that could be unprotected.
Thank you so much just bought one.
Again you are all really helpful.
Although I use my caravan as a workroom and it has never left the drive.
I do have a swift royal moterhome that we use most weeks
Cheers everyone.
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: Caravan house hook up
