Coiled up EHU lead

[herald_400rl]

When on-site we un-reel the EHU lead fully due to the heat issue.
When on the drive I've been doing the same but... am I wasting my time? The only thing on is the charger and the night before we depart the fridge. I have a 45m extension lead that says it can be used at 720w fully wound, that is far more than I need and my lead is maybe 15m.
Unwinding wouldn't really save much time but I do feel it more of one of tbe chore like jobs to be done before we depart.

 

[DBK]

You should be fine. Outside the UK you'll see lots of EHU cable being used from unwound reels.

If you're worried just check the temperature of the cable after it has been on for an hour or so.

 

[herald_400rl]

You should be fine. Outside the UK you'll see lots of EHU cable being used from unwound reels.

If you're worried just check the temperature of the cable after it has been on for an hour or so.

This makes sense, I'll load the fridge on and charger tomorrow after work and test the temp.

 

[Boldly]

Could make a new lead just the right length for use at home and keep the longer one for travelling

 

[DBK]

Could make a new lead just the right length for use at home and keep the longer one for travelling

That's what I have but also take the short one with us as it is sometimes easier to use or to extend the main lead when required.

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[rb62]

Plenty of opinions here already

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Question for everyone! We’re currently in Germany and have noticed that certainly the Germans but also Norwegian and Italian vans are all using roll up hookup cables as in the picture. Now at home were constantly warned about fully unrolling your cable as it could get to hit and burst into...

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[dunnah01]

Always fully unwind it so I can put the reel in the garage and nobody can nick it, oh and also one less thing to worry about

 

[autorouter]

This makes sense, I'll load the fridge on and charger tomorrow after work and test the temp.

The fridge is about 200W, the charger about the same, so you are well within the 720W limit for that coiled extension cable.

 

[Brains]

Unwind every time !

 

[Shrimp]

Could make a new lead just the right length for use at home and keep the longer one for travelling

That is what we did, hubby made a EHU cable the right length just for home use.

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[herald_400rl]

That is what we did, hubby made a EHU cable the right length just for home use.

I think this is the winning answer, only needs to be about 3m long.

 

[Oldrat]

We have two leads, one long for hook up which is rarely used, and one short about 6’ in case we want to top up on our drive. Cost about £15.
No flaffing about with coiling up

 

[Richard n Ann]

It's ok coiled up, it's when it's wound onto a drum it can overheat.

 

[steve69]

If total power output is less than 1 Kw/hour, it should be ok. However DON'T put your electric heating on at night unless you fully uncoil. Or use an electric kettle anytime.

 

[Odd-no-more]

At home I have a 13 amp socket and a short cable, like the OP just for the smart charger and fridge the day before we go away although it is handy for the vacuum when cleaning as well

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[scotjimland]

almost as good as the grey water thread..

 

[Revolvor]

I experienced what happens when a cable is coiled up and a large current flows.

This was a long time ago and before I joined MH Fun and gained access to such a wealth of knowledge.

I bought a 50m reel of cable and put a plug on one end and a 4-way socket on the other so I could use power tools down my garden.

I also had an above ground swimming pool close to a socket in my shed.

Without unreeling it, I connected it to a 3kW pool heater.

I don't recall it actually failing, but a few hours later the reel of cable was just a lump of molten plastic!

 

[Springy]

When on-site we un-reel the EHU lead fully due to the heat issue.
When on the drive I've been doing the same but... am I wasting my time? The only thing on is the charger and the night before we depart the fridge. I have a 45m extension lead that says it can be used at 720w fully wound, that is far more than I need and my lead is maybe 15m.
Unwinding wouldn't really save much time but I do feel it more of one of tbe chore like jobs to be done bef

I've just measured the mains consumption of mine, it's 186W with the fridge on, 14W with the fridge off.
TBH I would do as others have suggested and get a short cable made up for use on the drive then there is no messing about when either leaving or arriving home, leave the short one in the garage.
HTH,
Neil.

 

[Dolmen]

almost as good as the grey water thread..

Better, because every one has a different view on grey water, this thread, everyone just keeps repeating what they have heard from someone else, you’d think putting the kettle on was going to cause your ehu to burst into flames. The only time cables burst into flames is when they are in poor condition and overloaded with power tools. Even the flimsy coiled up cables they use in France and Germany do not burst into flames.

 

[scotjimland]

Better, because every one has a different view on grey water, this thread, everyone just keeps repeating what they have heard from someone else, you’d think putting the kettle on was going to cause your ehu to burst into flames. The only time cables burst into flames is when they are in poor condition and overloaded with power tools. Even the flimsy coiled up cables they use in France and Germany do not burst into flames.

I am not a qualified surgeon, so I don't advise on brain surgery, .. but I am qualified to advise on electrical matters.

Some have been to Google Uni, and have YouTube degrees in Rocket Science .. so no point in arguing with them.. they know best.. I just watch..

hence my popcorn

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