Urgent need help on electric hook up (1 Viewer)

[Gina M]

Hi Mr Gina M here we are on a camp site on hook up and the electric has gone. I have looked in the locker and the extension reel has a red light on. Mrs Gina M is panicking as she has a lot of food in the fridge and ice cream in the freezer

 

[Bramidan]

The red light on my extension reel it signifies power.
On others it could be an indication that the cut off switch has activated.
Is there a reset button?
It sounds as if electricity is coming from the camp supply to your motorhome.
Has the RCD board tripped out?

 

[Cush]

Circuit breaker on post?
Circuit breaker in van?
Red light must mean power getting to cable?
Any pics available to post?

 

[Bolti]

Has your consumer unit tripped

 

[Chipster]

You have a Frankia right? Assuming you have power at the site Ballard. are you still using the original retractable cable reel? These are notorious for being fickle. Second you could have a faulty trip in the van consumer unit. I’ve had both issues.

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[MichaelT]

You have gas,

 

[Gina M]

This is the photo of the lead in the locker.
Stupidly we have not got the manual with us.
It's a frankia

 

[Gina M]

Thank you

 

[Chipster]

Yes. I removed ours as it became unreliable and fitted a socket to the van. Now use a standard cable.

 

[Gina M]

Thank you Michael T yes we have just put it on gas .
Been a long day and no alcohol yet

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[Gina M]

Yes. I removed ours as it became unreliable and fitted a socket to the van. Now use a standard cable.

Think I will as well

 

[Gina M]

Circuit breaker on post?
Circuit breaker in van?
Red light must mean power getting to cable?
Any pics available to post?

When I disconnect from the bollard light goes off on the lead

 

[Gromett]

This is the photo of the lead in the locker.
Stupidly we have not got the manual with us.
It's a frankia



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It looks like power is getting into van judging by the red light?
One of two things I would guess.
1) Cable reel overheated. Does it feel warm to the touch? If so disconnect power and let it cool down. Unroll as much cable as you can.
2) otherwise check the trips in the consumer unit inside the van.

Does any 240v stuff work in the van? or is everything dead? Sockets, heating, fridge etc?

 

[Gromett]

Can you take a picture of the consumer unit in the van please?

 

[MichaelT]

Been a long day and no alcohol yet

That's your problem

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[TR5]

If you are on a site, and you are not too confident or competent with mains electrics, I'm sure there will be someone on site that could help. Is there a duty warden, for instance, or a friendly neighbour, that could assist?

 

[Bessy765]

Sometimes the trip in your vans consumer unit will trip but the lever stays up, it does sometimes on our Burstner. Just try switching the rcd and mcb’s off and on a couple of times. If you have power to you consumer unit it should trip when you press the test button (if you have one not all do) good luck

 

[Cush]

When I disconnect from the bollard light goes off on the lead

That shows you are at least getting power to the reel. Is there a reset button on it?

 

[Gromett]

GB Instructions on cable reel

 

[Cush]

GB Instructions on cable reel

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Great spot
Mr Gina M , is all the cable off the reel? That may add to heat build up.

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[Gina M]

Can you take a picture of the consumer unit in the van please?

Can you take a picture of the consumer unit in the van please?

Great spot
Mr Gina M , is all the cable off the reel? That may add to heat build up.

Ok I disconnected from the post unrolled the lead and unscrewed the inner ring of the lead holder and exposed the switch connected the lead to the post pressed the lead button light went out now all working. Thank you everyone for the advice. Mrs Gina M has just rewarded me with a beer.

 

[Gromett]

Ok I disconnected from the post unrolled the lead and unscrewed the inner ring of the lead holder and exposed the switch connected the lead to the post pressed the lead button light went out now all working. Thank you everyone for the advice. Mrs Gina M has just rewarded me with a beer.



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I think you probably want to get rid of that reel thing and just use a normal hookup lead? But I suspect you already know that
Glad to see you are sorted. Enjoy your beers

 

[jezport]

The frankia reel will trip if its left partially wound up to avoid a fire so should always be fully unwound. A lot of people dont like them as you need to spool all the cable off to run any decent ampage over lighting.
I did like ours and if you are removing it I will happily buy it from you.

 

[Gellyneck]

ps if you press the rcd reset button on your distribution board and it doesn't trip it means there's no power getting to the board.

 

[Petroleumblownapart]

Ok I disconnected from the post unrolled the lead and unscrewed the inner ring of the lead holder and exposed the switch connected the lead to the post pressed the lead button light went out now all working. Thank you everyone for the advice. Mrs Gina M has just rewarded me with a beer.



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ALWAYS, ALWAYS NO MATTER WHAT LEAD YOU USE UNROLL IT ALL!.... EVERY TIME! (Yes I am SHOUTING!!)

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[Excaliber]

I carry a short length lead as well as a longer standard lead on a reel, I select the lead best suited to the Bollard / hook-up point, saves rolling out uneccessary cable stops any overheating or trip hazards

 

[Gellyneck]

I carry a short length lead as well as a longer standard lead on a reel, I select the lead best suited to the Bollard / hook-up point, saves rolling out uneccessary cable stops any overheating or trip hazards

Likewise a 10m and 25m.

 

[Gina M]

Hi everyone so this morning on site I was chatting to my neighbour and I asked him if he had any issues with his electrics as ours went in the end.
As it happens he was a retired electrical engineer and had a look at the extension reel and the red button. He established that there was an issue with the switch and disconnected it and now everything is working. So I assume I just order a new switch or do I just leave it?

 

[TheBig1]

Take the reel out and fit a standard socket. Those reels are notorious for failing. Rolled up wires quickly overheat. If fitted the trip will protect you in time. By bypassing it, you have deleted a safety feature. Next time it could catch fire before you realise.

Am I being overdramatic? Nope, as a retired electrical engineer I have seen the results of coiled cables passing current till they burn

 

[Gina M]

yes thanks for the advice I have fully unrolled it.

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