Imported Hymer - has anyone changed the 240v Sockets? (1 Viewer)

[donnkim]

Hope to bring home a Hymer Starline 640 from Germany tomorrow. I assume all the sockets are 2 pin continental.
is there anything to be considered when I want to change them to UK 3 Pin?
Thanks
Don

 

[Alistair33]

Interested,
I'm intending to go the other way and change the appliance plugs. Most of our electricals work off 12 or 5.5 volts so it will not be to many to change.

 

[bigtree]

Don't bother,buy adapters like these.


Been using these in my import for the last 6 years.

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[gerry mcg]

I appreciate you are buying from Germany, but is it new or second hand? is it LHD or RHD? my new van, bought in Germany was RHD and UK spec (both fiat base vehicle and the 240 plugs are UK three pin as opposed to continental 2 pin sockets.

 

[Lenny HB]

Why bother, use adaptors or change the plugs on your appliances.

 

[Speve]

Don't bother we have bought some appliances in Spain and Portugal plugs fit perfik just get some adaptors as already posted

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[sallylillian]

I expect they will be Berker sockets and they do a straight swap fitting for UK 3 pin. Google Berker 230 uk sockets

 

[Tootles]

Don't bother,buy adapters

Best and cheapest way. You just have to remove them with the device your using if you want the continental plug 'flap' to close shut.

 

[donnkim]

Thanks for your replies
It is an old 2002 Hymer Starline 640.
Easiest solutions are usually too obvious. I have just order 4 adapters!!!

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[bigtree]

Thanks for your replies
It is an old 2002 Hymer Starline 640.
Easiest solutions are usually too obvious. I have just order 4 adapters!!!

A thanks of my post/link wouldn't go amiss,just saying like.

 

[PeteH]

A word of Warning. Printed on the front when you enlarge and read them. Is the wording "Not for use in the UK". And the MAXIMUM Load is 7.5Amps. Any Appliance of more that 1800 watts will overload them.

A 2KW fan heater pulls 8.3amps without the motor current. Better to bite on the bullet and have the sockets changed (My View).

 

[Camping Gaza]

Idea?:
Can you not add a second socket next to original, ie a pattress box and 13 amp socket, all you have to do is wire into back of 2 pin

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[Lenny HB]

Thanks for your replies
It is an old 2002 Hymer Starline 640.
Easiest solutions are usually too obvious. I have just order 4 adapters!!!

I by them in Poundland pack of 2 for.......£1

 

[Lenny HB]

Idea?:
Can you not add a second socket next to original, ie a pattress box and 13 amp socket, all you have to do is wire into back of 2 pin

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Sorry but that would look terrible next to a Berker socket.

 

[Camping Gaza]

Aesthetics huh...Then I would just change my plugs to continental ones. adapters look crap don't they

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[JeanLuc]

Quite a simple job. Assuming your Hymer is from the early-mid 2000's (possibly more recent too) they used CBE fittings which are modular. The sockets will be 3-pin Continental, not 2-pin. You can get replacement centre modules for UK 230 volt ac. Here is one source but several other suppliers sell them too.

 

[sallylillian]

Quite a simple job. Assuming your Hymer is from the early-mid 2000's (possibly more recent too) they used CBE fittings which are modular. You can get replacement centre modules for UK 230 volt ac. Here is one source but several other suppliers sell them too.

Although aesthetically different they have the same screw mount centres as Berker I believe.

 

[Lenny HB]

Actually Lenny, I was talking to the OP.

If you don't want people to comment perhaps you shouldn't have posted on an open forum.

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[Lenny HB]

Like I said lenny, I was talking to the OP (trying to find a f**K you smiley but unsuccessful)

Perhaps you should read Rule one of the forum and try not being so rude.

 

[Crazylegs]

We imported from Germany too and have been using adapters without any issues, we have used then for an oil filled radiator and a hair drier.

 

[PORKSTER]

A word of Warning. Printed on the front when you enlarge and read them. Is the wording "Not for use in the UK". And the MAXIMUM Load is 7.5Amps. Any Appliance of more that 1800 watts will overload them.

A 2KW fan heater pulls 8.3amps without the motor current. Better to bite on the bullet and have the sockets changed (My View).

Look neater too I would think

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[Armytwowheels]

We changed the plugs on the appliances, easier, cheaper and means if you are on a European campsite your hairdryer works in the washroom sockets - that's a win win in my book.

The only things we haven't changed is anything that is recharge e.g dyson vacuum as the plugs are more than just plugs (I think).

 

[pappajohn]

Never noticed before......do euro 2 pin plugs have fuses ?
If not, what if you change the appliance plugs for euro 2 pin but only require a 5 amp fuse ?

 

[Armytwowheels]

Never noticed before......do euro 2 pin plugs have fuses ?
If not, what if you change the appliance plugs for euro 2 pin but only require a 5 amp fuse ?

The rest of Europe doesn't seem to bother with fuses.

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[Lenny HB]

The rest of Europe doesn't seem to bother with fuses.

They use radial circuits each socket has MCB or fuse in the distribution board.

 

[Rob Turner]

Idea?:
Can you not add a second socket next to original, ie a pattress box and 13 amp socket, all you have to do is wire into back of 2 pin

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Bodge

 

[PeteH]

Something else to consider when discussing UK, vs "continental" is that Continental wiring is switched in both "ways", the UK ONLY switches the live "way". Which is why it is essential to check polarity on Continental site power supplies. As well as the fact that changing the plugs removes a safety feature from the appliance. (No Fuse). You are then relying on the external circuit to provide cover. (Ohms law; gives a fairly accurate assessment of the operating status Viz Watts=Volts x Amps. and can be transcribed to give Amps = Watts / Volts).

UK operation rarely shows more than 244Volts, however I Have seen 252V or more on Continental Installations, all of which affect the current passing to the same appliance.

And BTW. I have come across some extremely dangerous installations on European Camp-grounds!!. Far more so than in the UK. And I always carry one of these in the `van:-

Amazon product ASIN B01D2SGFG4
(Other brands are available!!!). American Circuits often have GFI`s incorporated in the sockets (outlets).

Bottom Line, For your Safety, change the sockets.

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[PeteH]

They use radial circuits each socket has MCB or fuse in the distribution board.

But NOT a GFI?. An MCB MAY trip, a GFI WILL trip if the current to earth is more than a few milliamp.

 

[PeteH]

As an Illustration. (say) you where connecting to an OLD FASHIONED wired fuse board. And some (person) had had issues, wired the fuse with the proverbial "six inch nail". The Theoretical current being supplied would ONLY be restricted by the "Board Fuse" (usually 80amp some times 100 and commercially even larger?). Should the appliance get a fault, you would hopefully be protected by the R-V trip. However, when did you last actually check it worked?. If it did not, whoever was handling the device with the plug fuse removed would get the FULL current until such time as the 100amp fuse wire melted and failed. "Crisp" is the word coming to mind here!. OTT?, Yes. But never the less, possible!.

Don`t remove fused plugs, is my considered view.