What a plonker!

robrace

robrace

Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Posts
452
Likes collected
705
Location
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Funster No
30,780
MH
BUCCANEER CARAVEL
Exp
SINCE 1975
Stayed on a Cc&c club site whilst up in Scotland!Couldnt get electric to work and as both fridge and heating will only work on electric it was a problem!checked the RDC and all the fuses!No sign of life!Decided it was probably my lead so stripped both ends off cut about a foot off each
End and reconnected the ends.Still nothing.There was a socket each side of the post and my neighbour said they had electric so went to reception to ask if they could check the socket.Young lady came out with her test kit and said you Havnt switched it on!! After you have plugged in there is a plastic lever that you need to push to switch on.Felt a right idiot but hav’nt seen a post like it.On the way home stayed at a site where you plug in then turn slightly to engage.Pressing the red button then release’s it pull out.You would think after 40 years with campers/Motorhome I would know by now!!
 
Despite the blue connectors supposed to be standard there are still a number with a different twist. A couple of days ago I was struggling to pry open the protective cap on an outlet - the one next to it was already open -to eventually discover it was a screw fit!

It's not just you! ::bigsmile:
 
Been there, done that, Got the "T" shirt. Take heart, your not on your own. (y) And I`ve been at this for over 50 years.!

On the real serious side. I had a Plug weld itself into the socket at Rowntree Park!. Badly put together comercial lead was that one!. I tend to make up my own now.

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robrace said:
Stayed on a Cc&c club site whilst up in Scotland!Couldnt get electric to work and as both fridge and heating will only work on electric it was a problem!checked the RDC and all the fuses!No sign of life!Decided it was probably my lead so stripped both ends off cut about a foot off each
End and reconnected the ends.Still nothing.There was a socket each side of the post and my neighbour said they had electric so went to reception to ask if they could check the socket.Young lady came out with her test kit and said you Havnt switched it on!! After you have plugged in there is a plastic lever that you need to push to switch on.Felt a right idiot but hav’nt seen a post like it.On the way home stayed at a site where you plug in then turn slightly to engage.Pressing the red button then release’s it pull out.You would think after 40 years with campers/Motorhome I would know by now!!
Click to expand...
Your not a “plonker” lol
They should have explained the bollard connection when you checked in 👍🏻
 
Had a 'new one on me' at the Blackshaw Moor CAMC site last month...

Plug in and twist - yup, but no electrickery.
Turns out, you have to go the otherside of the bollard and reset the breaker.

Was on the instructions but who reads them
 
robrace said:
Stayed on a Cc&c club site whilst up in Scotland!Couldnt get electric to work and as both fridge and heating will only work on electric it was a problem!checked the RDC and all the fuses!No sign of life!Decided it was probably my lead so stripped both ends off cut about a foot off each
End and reconnected the ends.Still nothing.There was a socket each side of the post and my neighbour said they had electric so went to reception to ask if they could check the socket.Young lady came out with her test kit and said you Havnt switched it on!! After you have plugged in there is a plastic lever that you need to push to switch on.Felt a right idiot but hav’nt seen a post like it.On the way home stayed at a site where you plug in then turn slightly to engage.Pressing the red button then release’s it pull out.You would think after 40 years with campers/Motorhome I would know by now!!
Click to expand...
This makes feel good, my better half would tell me on many occasions that I don't know what I am doing when something does not work, that's only after 18 months MHomeing. Ha...... perhaps she is right. Sorry had to laugh. Winging it towards the dream SMUDGER55
 
Yep there are a few sites fitted with Martin Lunel switched sockets. The big give away is the red release button.

First came across them in the 70s. That's 1970s installing them, 3ph for welding plants.

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The only time we came across different hook up plugs were in Luxembourg and France.In France it was a normal two pin domestic plug. In Luxembourg they gave an adapter lead. All the others were just the normal blue plug. I will have to be more vigilant in future.
 
Never come across that!
You live and learn don’t you?!

But will I remember????!
 
I had pushed our connector into the van the last couple of times and got a pretty spark. I thought “I must look at that sometime”.

The cable gave up on us during a horrendous rain storm and tripped the switch of connected posts.

I’m a dangerous idiot. 😱
 
Coddywompler said:
I had pushed our connector into the van the last couple of times and got a pretty spark. I thought “I must look at that sometime”.

The cable gave up on us during a horrendous rain storm and tripped the switch of connected posts.

I’m a dangerous idiot. 😱
Click to expand...
That happened to me, only the small spark arch welded itself to the terminal on the van. Didn't know until it was time to leave and no amount of swearing, cursing, pulling, turning or shaking was going to free it.

Drove home with a hole in the side of the motorhome and had to replace the connector socket and rewire inside.

Rule now is to plug in the motorhome end first, before connecting to any lecky supply, so it doesn't happen again.
 
PP Bear said:
Rule now is to plug in the motorhome end first, before connecting to any lecky supply, so it doesn't happen again.
Click to expand...
i am glad you do this now . It’s amazing the amount of “ experienced“ motorhomers and caravaners who will happily plug into the bollard first and wander around with a live electrical cable.

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RandallC said:
Yep there are a few sites fitted with Martin Lunel switched sockets. The big give away is the red release button.

First came across them in the 70s. That's 1970s installing them, 3ph for welding plants.
Click to expand...
Often seen on "Shoreside" Refrigerator connections for Trucks too. They started to be fitted on Ro-Ro Freight Vessels around the time I "Swallowed the Anchor". Single and 3phase.
 
Wack. Couple of ery important messages on this thread re 'learning curve' on your electric hook up. :)
 
Did the same thing at a C&MC site didn’t listen to the warden felt a bit silly when she said did you trust the plug!
Yes not a good idea to plug into the bollard first and walk through potentially wet grass in the rain with a live cable in your hand.
Also seen a similar thing in the boating world. Never plug into shore power before plugging in to the boat first.
If the Ballard has a working rcd you should be safe enough
 
Swifter said:
i am glad you do this now . It’s amazing the amount of “ experienced“ motorhomers and caravaners who will happily plug into the bollard first and wander around with a live electrical cable.
Click to expand...
And disconnect the bollard first when leaving, so I've been told! 😊
 
Come on Guy,s ...... Assumstion is the mother of all F........ and with electric it will kill you.
Test the post first.... small short lead with socket tester, will tell you.... if all the terminals are connected inc. the earth, and with more and more sophisticated vans that the polarity is correct.
Just £15 and you know its safe, and working correctly.
BEFORE you plug in your MH !!

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PP Bear said:
That happened to me, only the small spark arch welded itself to the terminal on the van. Didn't know until it was time to leave and no amount of swearing, cursing, pulling, turning or shaking was going to free it.

Drove home with a hole in the side of the motorhome and had to replace the connector socket and rewire inside.

Rule now is to plug in the motorhome end first, before connecting to any lecky supply, so it doesn't happen again.
Click to expand...

You now weld it to the site bollard. :doh:
 
robrace said:
Stayed on a Cc&c club site whilst up in Scotland!Couldnt get electric to work and as both fridge and heating will only work on electric it was a problem!checked the RDC and all the fuses!No sign of life!Decided it was probably my lead so stripped both ends off cut about a foot off each
End and reconnected the ends.Still nothing.There was a socket each side of the post and my neighbour said they had electric so went to reception to ask if they could check the socket.Young lady came out with her test kit and said you Havnt switched it on!! After you have plugged in there is a plastic lever that you need to push to switch on.Felt a right idiot but hav’nt seen a post like it.On the way home stayed at a site where you plug in then turn slightly to engage.Pressing the red button then release’s it pull out.You would think after 40 years with campers/Motorhome I would know by now!!
Click to expand...
I had the same problem 2 hours ago. The guy on the next pitch sorted it. First time on a CC&C site.
 
robrace said:
Stayed on a Cc&c club site whilst up in Scotland!Couldnt get electric to work and as both fridge and heating will only work on electric it was a problem!checked the RDC and all the fuses!No sign of life!Decided it was probably my lead so stripped both ends off cut about a foot off each
End and reconnected the ends.Still nothing.There was a socket each side of the post and my neighbour said they had electric so went to reception to ask if they could check the socket.Young lady came out with her test kit and said you Havnt switched it on!! After you have plugged in there is a plastic lever that you need to push to switch on.Felt a right idiot but hav’nt seen a post like it.On the way home stayed at a site where you plug in then turn slightly to engage.Pressing the red button then release’s it pull out.You would think after 40 years with campers/Motorhome I would know by now!!
Click to expand...
You’ve helped a lot of folk out there including me.

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