driveway 240v power supply (1 Viewer)

gerry mcg

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I've got an electrician coming round next week to look at fitting an external 240v socket so we can keep our new van plugged to the mains when we are not using it - plan to keep a dehumidifier running.

will an external 3 prong plug socket be OK or should I look at a specific coupling?

cheers
 

Ivory55

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If you want to save money drill a hole through the wall and just thread lead through then reconnect the plug on and use it like an extension lead. Seal around wire with a bit of silicon. Just plug in to a socket in the house saves getting an electrician in.

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Apr 22, 2013
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If you want to save money drill a hole through the wall and just thread lead through then reconnect the plug on and use it like an extension lead. Seal around wire with a bit of silicon. Just plug in to a socket in the house saves getting an electrician in.
That's exactly what I have done. Bought a support bracket in ASDA, its meant for a hose pipe but supports the cable in a neat and tidy fashion.
 

Forestboy

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For the sake of a few quid get it done properly by a professional. Don't go down the bodge route and risk burning your house van or both down.:doh:
Got a proper campervan blue plug fitted on my drive wall brilliant park up plug in using the proper cable.
Simples(y)
 

pappajohn

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If you want to save money drill a hole through the wall and just thread lead through then reconnect the plug on and use it like an extension lead. Seal around wire with a bit of silicon. Just plug in to a socket in the house saves getting an electrician in.
Oh dear me ! Extremely bad advice.
Get a spark to do a safe job.
They will provide a proper waterproof 16a hook up socket.

With reference to the above post....how do you waterproof a 3 pin trailing socket ?
 

Gorse Hill

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Get a proper externally rated IP 66/65 double socket fitted ÂŁ30 from screwfix and a 13a plug to commando socket (blue) adapter that way you can use the socket outlet for the lawn mower etc

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Gorse Hill

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I've got an electrician coming round next week to look at fitting an external 240v socket so we can keep our new van plugged to the mains when we are not using it - plan to keep a dehumidifier running.

will an external 3 prong plug socket be OK or should I look at a specific coupling?

cheers


Get a proper externally rated IP 66/65 double socket fitted ÂŁ30 from screwfix and a 13a plug to commando socket (blue) adapter that way you can use the socket outlet for the lawn mower etc
 
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Exactly what I've got, works a treat. Mine was a freebie anyway - but if you've got an RCD on your consumer unit (not many old fuseboxes left) in the house then you should be able to fit a cheaper non-RCD version.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-nexus-13a-2g-dp-switched-socket/67928

A standard 13-amp socket on your driveway is useful for other things anyway, such as pressure washers or vacuum cleaners for doing the car, rather than fitting a 16amp campsite-type power outlet and messing about with adaptors.

I've got a hookup lead for the van that's got a standard 3 pin plug on one end for plugging the van in.

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pappajohn

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pappajohn

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Hi there don't want to hi jack this thread but does a lot of Motorhome users keep dehumidifier running through the winter?
Best Wishes Tony
Can't see any point unless you block up EVERY air vent.
As you remove moisture from the internal air fresh moist air will enter via the vents.

Ventilation is the key to preventing mold, mildew and musty smells.
Remove any bedding and soft furnishings to the house.
Leave doors, wardrobe, bathroom etc, open in case they swell and jam in their openings

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Bart

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I've got an electrician coming round next week to look at fitting an external 240v socket so we can keep our new van plugged to the mains when we are not using it - plan to keep a dehumidifier running.

will an external 3 prong plug socket be OK or should I look at a specific coupling?

cheers
Whats your address ?? Free electric for me incoming :D :D
 

Ivory55

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Oh dear me ! Extremely bad advice.
Get a spark to do a safe job.
They will provide a proper waterproof 16a hook up socket.

With reference to the above post....how do you waterproof a 3 pin trailing socket ?
I used the fix to the wall caravan socket that you see in sites , the other end indoors is normal plug . The house has got the trips that go off if a light bulb blows so must be safe.

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PeteS

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That's exactly what I have done. Bought a support bracket in ASDA, its meant for a hose pipe but supports the cable in a neat and tidy fashion.

Me to, very easy, safe and cheap. Use a 10 amp fuse and that and the RCD will keep you safe that's what they are designed to do.
 

dave newell

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An external 16A socket is very useful to have on your house but I wouldn't bother with the dehumidifier. Motorhomes are very well ventilated so a dehumidifier inside would simply end up trying to dry the world out. A good idea is to park it so that the front end is higher, perhaps using levelling ramps if necessary then any rain will run off instead of pooling on the roof.

D.
 
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Whats your address ?? Free electric for me incoming :D :D

Friends of ours fitted an outside socket to power a water feature. He got up early one morning and was having a ciggy at the back door when he thought he saw a rat running across his lawn, once his eyes focussed on it properly he realised it was an extension cable the neighbour was pulling back into his garden :eek:

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May 16, 2014
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I had the sparky fit a proper external fitting that connects to a short lead that I cut down for the purpose to use while the van is on the drive. The other part of the lead I cut, I use as an extension or alternative when visiting other places if the main connecting lead is too short.
 
Apr 22, 2013
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Friends of ours fitted an outside socket to power a water feature. He got up early one morning and was having a ciggy at the back door when he thought he saw a rat running across his lawn, once his eyes focussed on it properly he realised it was an extension cable the neighbour was pulling back into his garden :eek:
An advantage of the simple extension (EHU) lead through the wall with a 13Amp plug fitted on the inside of the house.
Mine in unplugged and left dangling hidden behind my favourite armchair when not in use so its safe and not dangerous at all. When in use the external blue 16Amp trailing socket is safely plugged in the MH, protected from the elements inside the electrical compartment.
 

pappajohn

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I used the fix to the wall caravan socket that you see in sites , the other end indoors is normal plug . The house has got the trips that go off if a light bulb blows so must be safe.
Agreed, perfectly acceptable......
My apologies, I mistakenly thought you meant use a regular 3 pin trailing socket as in regular extension lead.

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Ivory55

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Agreed, perfectly acceptable......
My apologies, I mistakenly thought you meant use a regular 3 pin trailing socket as in regular extension lead.
I would not try doing proper electricity, but this is just to top the battery up or get the fridge cold before leaving. Nothing excessive needing lots of power.
 

mikebeaches

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With a dehumidifier on through the winter, as others have suggested, it will be working overtime and probably need emptying every day unless you have a drain pipe to the outside of the van.

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If the spark is going to come off an existing socket yes, that's all you can use but if you have a modern consumer unit with RCDs then you don't need an RCD socket. If anything trips it then it will more than likely take the house one out as well anyway.

If he's going to do a proper job and put in a dedicated 16A supply for it then a 16A blue socket, like the one in Techno's link would be preferable.
 

glenn2926

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I got a sparky (my brother) to fix a 16 amp blue connection out on the drive. This is powered from the garage via a switched fused spur so I can turn it off when away. This stops anyone using it when I am not at home. As someone else said, use a shortened lead on the drive and take the short lead with you as an extension if required.
 

DanielFord

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My (sparky) brother in law fitted an outside socket, for use by the MH when it is there and also so we can plug in the lawn mower outside. To hook up, I just use a commando adapter.
Since we use the van all through winter, we've never really needed to set a dehumidifier going, but should we ever need to, the air con unit has a dehumidify function! :D

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