Hook up cable
- Thread starter Chrisy
- Start date
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
2.5mm but the colour thing is a bit variable. In theory yellow is 110v, blue cables are for extra low (Arctic) temperatures and orange is the commonly used one. But buy your EHU cable off eBay and the colour could mean only that was the one they had in stock at the time they made it up. 
Bailey58
LIFE MEMBER
Theonlysue
LIFE MEMBER
The artic cable is more pliable so easier to roll up.
Bailey58
LIFE MEMBER
I'm disappointed, nobody's mentioned keeping it coiled yet. 
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- Mar 10, 2016
- 558
- 618
- Funster No
- 41,942
- MH
- A Class RMB 750HE
- Exp
- Three years and counting, 30 years a tent tower.
@Chrisy The colour does not indicate the temperature range. PVC arctic cable comes in several colours including blue yellow orange and black. Called arctic because it remains pliable at low temperatures. Offshore we used the cable colour as a guide to the voltage of the light duty (to 32A) flexible extension cable reserving yellow for 110v blue for 220v as this coincides with the IEC plug colours for those voltages. However these cables are subject to very frequent inspection and testing to ensure their safety in such a harsh environment.
For use with our mh I prefer HO7RNF rubber insulated cable. It is much tougher than PVC arctic, more abrasion resistant, more chemical resistant etc etc though only comes in black. It also does not retain coil 'memory' so is much easier to layout and coil up even after having been on a cable drum for months.
As to cross section, I would personally use 2.5mm. 1.5mm is rated at 16Amps so it is adequate but I prefer the extra overload capacity of 2.5mm at 24A.
For use with our mh I prefer HO7RNF rubber insulated cable. It is much tougher than PVC arctic, more abrasion resistant, more chemical resistant etc etc though only comes in black. It also does not retain coil 'memory' so is much easier to layout and coil up even after having been on a cable drum for months.
As to cross section, I would personally use 2.5mm. 1.5mm is rated at 16Amps so it is adequate but I prefer the extra overload capacity of 2.5mm at 24A.
Last edited:
Don’t keep it coiled upI'm disappointed, nobody's mentioned keeping it coiled yet.
mikebeaches
LIFE MEMBER
Interesting, I think the orange colour typically used in the UK for hook-up cables must be a British thing. Most of the continentals appear to have black hook-ups.
Our van came with a 25m 2.5mm orange cable. I swapped it for a 25m 1.5mm cable which is lighter and easier to store, there's nothing in the van that uses more than 8a anyway... 
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1.5mm will do 16A at 25m, but is right on the open air limit - so if you coil it slightly, you'd need to derate it. There, got a reference to coiled cable in 
For the minimal difference in price, go with 2.5mm
For the minimal difference in price, go with 2.5mm
- Mar 10, 2016
- 558
- 618
- Funster No
- 41,942
- MH
- A Class RMB 750HE
- Exp
- Three years and counting, 30 years a tent tower.
Main advantage of orange is its visibility of course, the one drawback of H07RNF cable. Think you will find that this is what a lot of 'continental cables are. Its an awful lot easier to deal with than the standard UK orange PVC stuff which often isn't arctic grade either.
mikebeaches
LIFE MEMBER
H07RNF is a bit technical for me - I had to look it up on Google!
But wonder why we are different? And yes, of course I appreciate the visibility aspect.
Thanks all. Will go for 2.5mm. Is there such a thing as a descent reel to store it on. The orange plastic ones look pretty poor. Is it possible to get a wind up reel that is not loaded with cable or sockets? I know some will say use the YouTube cable coiling method but would prefer a reel that you can just roll up and unroll.
How do you keep it if you don't coil it up? Mines a bit long to fit in the van or my shed left uncoiled!
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- Mar 10, 2016
- 558
- 618
- Funster No
- 41,942
- MH
- A Class RMB 750HE
- Exp
- Three years and counting, 30 years a tent tower.
Yes, try a quick Google or Amazon search for a multitude of types. RH has one installed permanently in a bottom locker with a simple plug and socket on the side to transfer power into the van. I think you are sensible going for 2.5mm and you would find the cable I suggested will wind on and off your reel more easily than the PVC types.
Don't know why the difference with our Continental chums unless they discovered the flexibility of H07RNF, maybe they tend to use their MH's in colder weather? PVC arctic only retains its improved flexibility down to -15C.H07RNF is a bit technical for me - I had to look it up on Google!
But wonder why we are different? And yes, of course I appreciate the visibility aspect.
WynandJean
LIFE MEMBER
Don't leave coiled up WHEN IN USEHow do you keep it if you don't coil it up? Mines a bit long to fit in the van or my shed left uncoiled!
Wyn
golly
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- Aug 16, 2009
- 2,123
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- 8,011
- MH
- HYMERCAR PVC
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- since August 2009
I use one of the plastic reels, they are flimsy, but mine is 7 years old and still ok.
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I think you will find that most of the French use a standard 1.2 or 2.5 sq. mm cable fitted with a euro plug (2-pin with scraper earth) and a standard French female socket which they can buy in any DIY store, then use short adapter leads at each end if /as required.
J
Silver-Fox
LIFE MEMBER
How do you keep it if you don't coil it up? Mines a bit long to fit in the van or my shed left uncoiled!
I do mine the same as lorry drivers used to do their ropes for sheeting
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Bailey58
LIFE MEMBER
I do mine the same as lorry drivers used to do their ropes for sheeting
And like I coiled the rope, or should I say line, when I had a boat.
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