Cheap hook up cables

[Howard H]

i never learn , being thrifty ok tight I bought a cheap hook up cable of eBay only because it was the right length for hooking up at home ie 5 mts and cheap . I have used it a few times before with no apparent problems but came out the house this morning and could hear a slight crackling noise on further investigation it was the hookup cable where it goes into the mh . Further more it had started to weld it self to the van plug but managed to get it out with no damage to the van but the cable plug end was very black so I think my lesson is don't buy cheap electrical items .

 

[DavidG58]

scary thing is some dodgy ebay type stuff is being sold only slightly less than the right price to maximise their profit and make it appear more genuine perhaps, so not necessarily that cheap in some cases

 

[Brisey]

There are some items that you cannot skimp on.
Good no cheap,
Cheap no good.

 

[Reallyretired]

There are some items that you cannot skimp on.
Good no cheap,
Cheap no good.

Unfortunately no longer the case. Many inferior items are no cheaper, conversely many high quality items are reasonably priced. Price is no longer much of a guide to quality, not sure it ever was. Caveat emptor.

 

[GAVLAD]

Aldi are selling EHU cables along with a range of other camping products at the mo.
I've never had any issues with what I've bought from them.

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[Scotties]

What happened to that nice rubber feel cable that didn't discolour or go so hard it won't foil up properly.

Anyone got a source of quality EHU Arctic cable.

 

[KeithChesterfield]

I hope you've informed the EBay seller about the problem, moaned on his feedback and asked for money back.

Anything to avoid others buying crap and dangerous products.

 

[Robin McHood]

What happened to that nice rubber feel cable that didn't discolour or go so hard it won't foil up properly.

Anyone got a source of quality EHU Arctic cable.

You want decent quality anything on the electrical side get it from RS. They supply private individuals not just trade. PVC arctic cable 220v usually coloured blue and appropriate IP56 or 66 IEC309 plugs etc. They also supply EPR (rubber) cable which is what I use due to better flexibility regardless of temperature. Make up your own hookup cables to the length you need, its not difficult. Fault with the eBay cable above sounds like a bad plug to cable connection, a hot joint, lucky you didn't damage the socket on yr MH but I'd still have it checked out. Heat can travel a long way on copper cable.

 

[Gorse Hill]

i never learn , being thrifty ok tight I bought a cheap hook up cable of eBay only because it was the right length for hooking up at home ie 5 mts and cheap . I have used it a few times before with no apparent problems but came out the house this morning and could hear a slight crackling noise on further investigation it was the hookup cable where it goes into the mh . Further more it had started to weld it self to the van plug but managed to get it out with no damage to the van but the cable plug end was very black so I think my lesson is don't buy cheap electrical items .

Just go to your local caravan/Motorhome dealer who will have the correct size(csa) and approvals costing about £30ish
Why take any risk for a tenner which is what you could save going on eBay

 

[Howard H]

Just go to your local caravan/Motorhome dealer who will have the correct size(csa) and approvals costing about £30ish
Why take any risk for a tenner which is what you could save going on eBay

You are right I do have two 25 mt cables that where very expensive they don't get hot at all but this one was just a very short one for use at home to save uncoiling the bigger ones , lesson learnt

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[Howard H]

I hope you've informed the EBay seller about the problem, moaned on his feedback and asked for money back.

Anything to avoid others buying crap and dangerous products.

I haven't but I have had the cable quite a while before I used it so probably won't be able to now ,but it was a blue cable and quite thin so I hope all us electrical novices take heed buy the best quality you can afford .

 

[Gorse Hill]

I haven't but I have had the cable quite a while before I used it so probably won't be able to now ,but it was a blue cable and quite thin so I hope all us electrical novices take heed buy the best quality you can afford .

Probably 1.5csa artic blue, not approved for application

 

[Allanm]

We use blue 1.5mm cable and have done for years. But it is good quality cable with good quality connectors.
You just need to be careful buying anything electrical off ebay.

 

[sdc77]

Mmmmm cable chat

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Probably 1.5csa artic blue, not approved for application

Let's really spin them out and talk about volt drop.


2.5mm flex, 16a load. Max length of cable 37m

2x25m leads joined together. Max load 12A

Even 1.5 is OK up to 22 metres @ 16A. That's why commercial 13A extension leads are all 1.5mm

I'll leave you to explain volt drop to them I'm in the pub so can't be bothered to type a non techy version

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[Gorse Hill]

Let's really spin them out and talk about volt drop.


2.5mm flex, 16a load. Max length of cable 37m

2x25m leads joined together. Max load 12A

Even 1.5 is OK up to 22 metres @ 16A. That's why commercial 13A extension leads are all 1.5mm

I'll leave you to explain volt drop to them I'm in the pub so can't be bothered to type a non techy version

Think it would carry more credibility if it came from you Nic , you bored tonight Nic it's over a couple of months old this thread
I was talking abut Artic Blue not the CSA btw

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Think it would carry more credibility if it came from you Nic , you bored tonight Nic it's over a couple of months old this thread
I was talking abut Artic Blue not the CSA btw

No, posted in the wrong thread There was another one started yesterday where the post would have been relevant.

Serves me right for not taking any notice of the title.

 

[Ridgeway]

I made one up yesterday for home use, same reason as I'm a lazy sod and couldn't be xxxxx to uncoil the large 25m one. I looked locally and also found that at the camping shops they only had 25m versions which didn't solve the problem and they are super expensive here although the quality is good.

The EHU plug was about £15 for a good quality one and the other parts were in my stock. The other advantage was that i could make it the exact length I needed.

 

[Pausim]

Sometimes I see people coiling their hook up cables around their elbow and outstretched hand. This method of coiling can force a twist into the cable which could eventually end up looking like a twisted piece of string, or like my mothers mangled washing line used to look like. Boaters avoid using this method to coil ropes because it damages them and when uncoiling a rope in a hurry you don't need it acting like a demented snake tying itself in a knot.

 

[maxi77]

Unfortunately no longer the case. Many inferior items are no cheaper, conversely many high quality items are reasonably priced. Price is no longer much of a guide to quality, not sure it ever was. Caveat emptor.

I agree a lot depends on the care the importer takes with the products he buys, it is surprising how often big brands who charge premium prices get caught out,and how ingenious unscrupulous manufacturers and importers are at selling copy goods.

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[Camping Gaza]

loads of cable coiling tuts on U tube.