Coiled cables

[phil_in_npton]

Good Evening
Once packed away I’m constantly looking out for whoever it is that puts it all into knots before I go to use it again!

Phil in Northampton

 

[meanders]

I do think some people make assumptions then let themselves worry based solely on unproven data

Why take the risk? You might only expect to use a few amps to charge teh battery and then it gets chilly, or snows and you need the heating on or boil a couple of kettles for hot drinks. Do you then want to go out to uncoil it?

If the reel does go up, and it's under the van, the consequences could be horrendous! Having a shorter lead for short runs removes the temptation.

 

[Grummyb]

Whats the bigger nuisance winding cable on or waiting to direct the fire engine to the smoldering mess that used to be your pride and joy?

 

[Widge]

Its simple, i have 1 long and 1 short cable, and use which ever is suitable, or both if a particularly long reach is needed, i also have adapters to convert to standard euro plugs/sockets, only once have i ever needed to buy an additional extension lead. I hand coil them, they are flat when coiled, so easier (imo) to store than cable reels anyway.

 

[Gromett]

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.

You are of course technically correct but in practice not such a good idea.

You are only stopping one night so don't unroll it as you are only going to use the charger and lights.
But then you decide to go out for a meal. You turn on the boiler with electric element on so you can have shower, then missus uses hair dryer. Possibly time for the fire brigade?

Too easy to forget to unroll if plans change. I always unroll and have loosely looped,

To be honest I carry multiple leads, 3 in fact. really short, medium and very long. They can be linked up in combination.

I am paranoid about this due to the practical experience of not unrolling an extension lead when I was younger and using a heat gun to strip some paint. I thought the burning smell was the paint, not realising the extension lead was smoking behind me.

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[PlacidoD]

Can you connect them to extend the run (not that I ever needed to )

CAMC sites in the UK specifically ban that and likely others will have similar rules.

 

[Fdhadi]

Like Gromet I carry 3 different lengths of cable and use accordingly.

I’m the sad get that when hooking the cable over arm after use, have a clean cloth in hand to wipe the said cable before storing it in a bag.

Thinking about it, I also try to have the cable in a straight row, like my shorts and tee shirts and undies ironed, changed each day but do quite often stay off grid. I also like to shave & shower before turning out.

Don’t think I’m quite ready to join the un-washed club just yet.

 

[Gromett]

I’m the sad get that when hooking the cable over arm after use, have a clean cloth in hand to wipe the said cable before storing it in a bag.

Not a sad get. I do the same. I don't like getting mud on my hands/clothes when wrapping up. And I don't like dragging unnecessary mud into the garage if I can help it.

Also part of the reason why I have a very short lead and try to use it each time. Pure laziness on my part

 

[bobnick]

Never uncoiled.
After reading on here that i should i made a point of feeling just how warm/hot the cable got both what was remaining on the drum and the exposed length. Cold everytime i tested. So don't now bother.

 

[bobnick]

I thought that thing in electric box trips and cuts the electric if owt were to go wrong.............like overheating. If no what's the point of those trip things.

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[Gromett]

I thought that thing in electric box trips and cuts the electric if owt were to go wrong.............like overheating. If no what's the point of those trip things.

The trips are if there is an electrical fault. that electrical fault will only happens once the cables have melted and perhaps burned enough for the live to touch the earth or neutral.

After reading on here that i should i made a point of feeling just how warm/hot the cable got both what was remaining on the drum and the exposed length. Cold everytime i tested. So don't now bother.

It is perfectly fine until you do something different...

 

[bobnick]

The amount of tips i have got from this forum have been so handy being relatively new to the game.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Its simple . Leave it coiled if you want to take the risk. Un coil if you dont. Im in the uncoil corner.