Hook-up and hoses

[Mountainbiker]

What's the best combination of hook-up leads, adapters etc for uk and continent? Also, what hoses will cover all water requirements in UK and continent?.....any other tips for useful equipment apart for the obvious stuff like corkscrews and KFC receptacles?

 

[Ian Bosman]

Apart from a26amp cable get a short cable made up 26amp with live / neutral reversed .I had to use mine at one site in France this year ensures that live neutral are internally correct also you need a plug to detect correct earth/live/neutral

Not 26 amp but 16 amp!

 

[Adeydub]

I have a 25m and 15m EHU cable and a watering can to fill. Easier than faffing around with a hose and connectors.

Me too

 

[Didda]

Set of these
Amazon product ASIN B013DLLFFQ
One of these, use van water tank for washing and shower etc so not bothered about food grade
Amazon product ASIN B09XDYF2DS
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B013EM6H4I
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B003IJI4G2
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B00EHI8WR4
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B006XBT0R4
Covers just about every situation home and abroad

We have all of the above apart from the bottom one.

 

[Jo662]

Where did you get the funnel, it looks just the job?

I just use a pipe I got from B & Q like this. Just measure the size of your fresh water inlet.

SPARES2GO Bend Elbow Duct 90 Degree Vent Hose Pipe Tube Hydroponics / Air Conditioner / Cooker Hood Ducting Connector (6" / 150mm)

Bend elbow duct 90 degree 6" 150mm vent hose pipe tube male spigot hydroponics, air conditioning, bathroom fan, kitchen extractor, in-line extract fans, cooker hood universal vented outlet rigid ducting connector adapter

www.diy.com

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mr porky]

We used the compact hoses for a while but if you ever get a really strong pressure they broke. We now just use normal hose of various length, mostly one but have 2 in backup.

 

[Ducatian]

Set of these
Amazon product ASIN B013DLLFFQ
One of these, use van water tank for washing and shower etc so not bothered about food grade
Amazon product ASIN B09XDYF2DS
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B013EM6H4I
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B003IJI4G2
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B00EHI8WR4
One of these
Amazon product ASIN B006XBT0R4
Covers just about every situation home and abroad

That last item, the FLYLEAD is particularly useful when paired with a standard UK 3-pin Mains Tester plug.
Use it to check the Sites Power Sockets are working BEFORE you pitch up, level out, route/connect mains lead etc . . . . (a friend told me . . . )

 

[pjay]

Where did you get the funnel, it looks just the job?

@paulandchrissie made it for me

Water Tank Filler Funnel

This is for all those people I see fighting with a flexible funnel in one hand and a container of water in the other. This will hopefully make the whole water filling job a lot easier. 3D printed in food safe PETG black plastic. Will slot straight into...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Pete

 

[Jonno1103]

Why buy a food grade hose when the water tank is made from recycled wheelie bins?

I make my own hook up cables especially those of a shorter length as most of them for sale on Amazon & E Bay are only 1.5mm cable suitable for 13 amp max rather than a 16 amp bollard. I'll only use 2.5mm Arctic cable.

 

[scotjimland]

Why buy a food grade hose when the water tank is made from recycled wheelie bins?

Most fresh water tanks for campers are made from food-grade plastic like polyethylene. Look for seamless tanks as they help prevent algae growth that can cause a bad taste. Stainless steel tanks would prevent any algae problems, but they're more difficult to source and expensive too.

Polyethylene, with its light weight and impressive flexibility, is one of the most commonly-used water tank materials. These tanks are 100% food-grade approved and their light weight makes them ideal for use on smaller caravans with flimsier walls.

One of the best materials for making these water tanks from is a specific type of plastic known as UV polyethylene – or PE. The water tanks are usually treated so that they are not affected by ultraviolet rays (such as those from the sun), and are food-grade, meaning that they are suitable for the storage of drinking water.

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[scotjimland]

I make my own hook up cables especially those of a shorter length as most of them for sale on Amazon & E Bay are only 1.5mm cable suitable for 13 amp max rather than a 16 amp bollard. I'll only use 2.5mm Arctic cable.

I also make my own with 1.5mm Arctic cable, it is rated at 16A ..
2.5mm is rated at 25A

besides. most of the sites we use only have a 6A supply, nor do we use any high wattage appliances

Table 4F3A - Flexible Cords, Non-Armoured

Table 4F3A - Flexible Cords, Non-Armoured

www.cse-distributors.co.uk

 

[Jonno1103]

Most fresh water tanks for campers are made from food-grade plastic like polyethylene. Look for seamless tanks as they help prevent algae growth that can cause a bad taste. Stainless steel tanks would prevent any algae problems, but they're more difficult to source and expensive too.

Polyethylene, with its light weight and impressive flexibility, is one of the most commonly-used water tank materials. These tanks are 100% food-grade approved and their light weight makes them ideal for use on smaller caravans with flimsier walls.

One of the best materials for making these water tanks from is a specific type of plastic known as UV polyethylene – or PE. The water tanks are usually treated so that they are not affected by ultraviolet rays (such as those from the sun), and are food-grade, meaning that they are suitable for the storage of drinking water.

Is that a direct quote from Mowgli Adventures?

The problem is that Polyethylene tanks contain Terephthalate which is iffy. It's why bottled water has a sell by date... it's the 'food grade' plastic which is the issue not the stuff which has been under the ground for donkeys years. You'll also find that most motorhome freshwater systems don't have a byelaw 30 kit fitted either.

No petroleum refined product is good for human consumption and there is no lesser of two evils.

 

[scotjimland]

Is that a direct quote from Mowgli Adventures?

The problem is that Polyethylene tanks contain Terephthalate which is iffy. It's why bottled water has a sell by date... it's the 'food grade' plastic which is the issue not the stuff which has been under the ground for donkeys years. You'll also find that most motorhome freshwater systems don't have a byelaw 30 kit fitted either.

No petroleum refined product is good for human consumption and there is no lesser of two evils.

What Type of Plastic Are Water Tanks Made From?

Domestic water tanks are used to store water for a range of different uses including sometimes for drinking water, water to be heated, water used to flush toilets, or to store rainwater that has been ...

www.tanksforeverything.co.uk

and not from recycled wheelie bins..

"we only use the highest grades of virgin polymers to produce our tanks.

CAK tanks

http://www.caktanks.co.uk/files/cak_catalogue_2013/2013_Cak_Catalogue_Low_Res.pdf

 

[scotjimland]

.

 

[Pausim]

There have been a couple of posts suggesting you need polarity testers and reversal leads. I don’t bother.

Polarity reversal is not uncommon on the continent and you have a continental built Carthago that will have been built accordingly. Polarity reversal has no effect on the equipment you plug in, it is only a problem if you stick your fingers inside equipment thinking that the switch on the plug has made it safe. Your Carthago will have been built without switched sockets, forcing you to unplug equipment properly. The other safety devices/switches will disconnect both wires so it doesn’t matter which one is live.

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[Cush]

I just use a pipe I got from B & Q like this. Just measure the size of your fresh water inlet.

SPARES2GO Bend Elbow Duct 90 Degree Vent Hose Pipe Tube Hydroponics / Air Conditioner / Cooker Hood Ducting Connector (6" / 150mm)

Bend elbow duct 90 degree 6" 150mm vent hose pipe tube male spigot hydroponics, air conditioning, bathroom fan, kitchen extractor, in-line extract fans, cooker hood universal vented outlet rigid ducting connector adapter

www.diy.com

Ditto. Used in conjunction with a collapsable water container that also hold our fresh drinking water. Let’s you pour in quite quickly and easier than a watering can. Walking to the tap gets my steps up! This version is the end of a down spout. Has a “flare” at the end that makes a great friction fit.

 

[Bodoge]

What's the best combination of hook-up leads, adapters etc for uk and continent? Also, what hoses will cover all water requirements in UK and continent?.....any other tips for useful equipment apart for the obvious stuff like corkscrews and KFC receptacles?

I would take a plug in polarity tester plug if you have any polarity sensitive equipment on board. Get one from screwfix or toolstation, they also tell you, and more importantly that the electricity supply has an earth. French and Spanish electrical systems are very different to UK norms.

 

[Jo662]

I would take a plug in polarity tester plug if you have any polarity sensitive equipment on board. Get one from screwfix or toolstation, they also tell you, and more importantly that the electricity supply has an earth. French and Spanish electrical systems are very different to UK norms.

Iv never bothered about polarity,as long as you don’t take any appliances apa rt while they are plugged in you will be fine.

 

[Jo662]

Ditto. Used in conjunction with a collapsable water container that also hold our fresh drinking water. Let’s you pour in quite quickly and easier than a watering can. Walking to the tap gets my steps up! This version is the end of a down spout. Has a “flare” at the end that makes a great friction fit.

View attachment 801934 View attachment 801935

I use a watering can with a larrge outlet that allows me to fill quickly

 

[cyberyacht]

I use a 10L jerrycan with a short length of hose. I used to have 20L one but I found it too heavy to lift to the filler point if I put more than about 14L in. It's also easier to store a couple of smaller jerrycans too. I also carry a 7M food grade hose plus one of those expanding jobbies plus a whole hozelock catalogue of connectors. I wasn't even in the Boy Scouts either.

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[Puddleduck]

And how long does the queue get at the dump'n'fill point?

Not long as you fill as others are disconnecting and moving off Makes it very efficient.

Also you don't need to fill to 100% - enough to cover a day or two.

 

[SpeedyDux]

How many watering cans is 120 litres?

12 short trips with a 10 litre watering can. There's a bonus - moderate exercise - it's really good for you!

I only bother to put 50 litres in mine. Half full. That lasts me about 5 days.

 

[Guigsy]

12 short trips with a 10 litre watering can. There's a bonus - moderate exercise - it's really good for you!

I only bother to put 50 litres in mine. Half full. That lasts me about 5 days.

There's more interesting and productive ways to get exercise. Especially in summer heat. You'd still have to deal with the grey too. I've done something similar, but only because the site wasn't set up for motorhomes.

If we have the choice, we just spend 15 minutes decamping and driving to the service point.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Iv never bothered about polarity,as long as you don’t take any appliances apa rt while they are plugged in you will be fine.

Let’s face it anyone that does that will get what’s coming to them

 

[Jo662]

Let’s face it anyone that does that will get what’s coming to them

Exactly

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[Pausim]

I would take a plug in polarity tester plug if you have any polarity sensitive equipment on board.

I have never come across any polarity sensitive equipment. Have you anything particular in mind?

 

[Bodoge]

I have never come across any polarity sensitive equipment. Have you anything particular in mind?

For instance, if you have a UK type board with circuit breakers, then in reverse polarity the common neutral bar becomes live and the trip has negative through it, less sensitive. Some chargers don't like reverse polarity, big ones and small, depends where made. Whereas a continental consumer board will have double pole trips but still should check polarity, and more importantly how good the earthing is.

 

[Pausim]

For instance, if you have a UK type board with circuit breakers, then in reverse polarity the common neutral bar becomes live and the trip has negative through it, less sensitive. Some chargers don't like reverse polarity, big ones and small, depends where made. Whereas a continental consumer board will have double pole trips but still should check polarity, and more importantly how good the earthing is.

I agree earthing is important.

All motorhomes have the potential for visiting countries where polarity is not considered important and I think they should be built accordingly. The OP has a Carthago and unless someone has removed the continental consumer board and replaced it with a UK one they should not need to worry about polarity.

 

[paulhelenwilko]

Currently in France and have come across a few service points that have female water outlets, so require a male hose lock connector. A male to male will sort it :