Coiled cables

[Jewellbags]

I see that most of our continental cousins don’t unwrap their ehu cables - do you have to or not as it’s a pain rewinding them

 

[David and Sally]

I have seen pics of burnt out cables. It is a pain to rewind, but not as much as a burnt out Moho.

 

[DBK]

If you are just charging batteries it does no harm, but electric heaters or cookers are a potential problem and likely to result in over-heating.

 

[Lenny HB]

The only use there cables for running the fridge and charging the batteries.

Brit vans often have electric heating if so you need to unwind the cable of it will overheat and melt/catch fire.

 

[Landy Andy]

Keep mine coiled as I only use it to charge batteries.

Most electric hook ups on UK vans are wanting to “get their moneys worth” and milk the electric. So need to uncoil it.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

This is more than a pain in the arris.

Thread 'Electric Hook Up Cable Warning'

Feb 19, 2017

Some kind sole has just posted this on another Forum I thought with the number of new members popping in it would be wise to show what a Cable looks like after it has overheated.

WARNING, unwind your cable completely and this won't happen to you.

Alternatively you could reduce your heating costs by warming up your motor home with a real flame Fire!

• Popeye
• Replies: 54
• Forum: Motorhome Chat

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[Jewellbags]

If you are just charging batteries it does no harm, but electric heaters or cookers are a potential problem and likely to result in over-heating.

I assume the diesel heater once running doesn’t draw much

 

[DBK]

I assume the diesel heater once running doesn’t draw much

No problem with a diesel heater, our Webasto draws about 6A on start-up for a short time, but 6A at 12V is only 0.3A at 240V which is nothing. However, we can also turn it to electric heating, either 1kW or 2kW which is respectively 4A and 8A. The former would probably be safe with a cable on a drum I think but you have to factor in any other loads such as the 'fridge so even that would be risky.

I guess other factors are the thickness of the cable, 2.5mm2 will be safer than 1.5mm (which is what you normally see on these drums) and also the quality of the copper but how you would know is tricky. I suspect price might not be a reliable guide.

 

[JJ]

I bet the folk who unwind their EHU cable fully and lay it out in straight lines also have ironed shorts and tee shirts and rarely motorhome off site!

(Those who know, know and those who don't... never worry about it.)

Knowledge is power...


JJ

 

[maison]

We don’t wind our EHU cable onto a reel, simply loop it in my hand.

Run out what is required and lay the rest of the loose loops on the ground. There is more than enough space for air to circulate around the cable.

We do use electric heating in winter but, as the current draw increases, the ambient temperature has reduced, providing additional cooling.

In well over 40 years of motorhomes and caravans we have never had any problem with overheated cables.

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[Jewellbags]

We don’t wind our EHU cable onto a reel, simply loop it in my hand.

Run out what is required and lay the rest of the loose loops on the ground. There is more than enough space for air to circulate around the cable.

We do use electric heating in winter but, as the current draw increases, the ambient temperature has reduced, providing additional cooling.

In well over 40 years of motorhomes and caravans we have never had any problem with overheated cables.

Out of interest how do you store it in the garage - loose ?

 

[dunnah01]

Always unwind ours off the reel and make sure the reel is stored away so no tuggers nick it. Not bothered about the cable bit

 

[Sneds]

I bet the folk who unwind their EHU cable fully and lay it out in straight lines also have ironed shorts and tee shirts and rarely motorhome off site!

(Those who know, know and those who don't... never worry about it.)

Knowledge is power...


JJ

Actually that is the best and safest way to do it, and yes, I am qualified to make that statement.