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[Taxi_Driver]

Having a rummage in my Mums garage last weekend, I found an orange cable with a blue plug/socket at either end.

I guess it was left behind/forgotten about when they got rid of their caravan.

The socket and the plug has markings on it 16A 6H 240V
The cable has various markings on it, but the last few are 2.5mm2

So, question is, would I be ok in just changing the blue socket to a 4 way gang socket and using it when I go camping?

The site Im thinking of going to on Dorset coast this year has mains hook-ups for the pitches and charges you for them even if you don't use them.

[ronnyd]

I think it,s just meant to go between the socket in the caravan(outside) and the hook up points at your site. It,s a while since i last pulled a tin tent so i stand to be corrected on this.

[Terbs]

I did that with my trailer tent. In fact I still have the cable in the trailer tent in the garage. I assume you are going to plug into the site power supply, then use your 4 gang to boil kettle's etc. Never had any problems, however, I expect in todays enviroment you should run through something fused, or something like a circuit protector.
 I think this is an example of what you are trying to do

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-4-GANG-OR-6-GANG-EXTENSION-LEAD-MAINS-TO-MOTORHOME-TENT-OR-BOAT-HOOK-UP-/171652310772?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item27f74666f4

[Taxi_Driver]

I did that with my trailer tent. In fact I still have the cable in the trailer tent in the garage. I assume you are going to plug into the site power supply, then use your 4 gang to boil kettle's etc. Never had any problems, however, I expect in todays enviroment you should run through something fused, or something like a circuit protector.
I think this is an example of what you are trying to do

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-4-GANG-OR-6-GANG-EXTENSION-LEAD-MAINS-TO-MOTORHOME-TENT-OR-BOAT-HOOK-UP-/171652310772?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item27f74666f4

Yep, certainly is 

The site supply will probably have a circuit breaker of 10amps , plus there will be the 13amp fuse in the 4 way socket....the 2.5mm2 cable I have is certainly capable of supplying more than 13amps 

I did wonder what the 6H referred to on the blue plug/socket tho

Thanks 

[TheBoy]

Yes.

Or get an adapter to a 13A socket.

[Jimbob]

I went the TB route.....Wired a camping plug onto a 4 gang which I plug in to the lead

[Taxi_Driver]

Yes.

Or get an adapter to a 13A socket.

Thanks 

And another question.....Those of you that have electric coolboxes....do you leave them plugged in all day? just turning them off at sleep time perhaps... 

Mines a 12v one.....so I would have to get a 12v power supply for it...

[Taxi_Driver]

I went the TB route.....Wired a camping plug onto a 4 gang which I plug in to the lead

I might do that, depending on the length of the cable I have already...I haven't measured it....so it may be long enough 

[Terbs]

Our coolbox is a dual power job, we only use mains, but we do turn it off at night because of the hum, which is annoying. Not sure if 12v still makes the same noise, as we have never used it.

Also, the power units on the site we are on, do have individual circuit breakers for each outlet, plus a mains breaker

(If I get a 'bastid' neighbour, I whip out and flip his circuit breaker up. No one messes with me....)

[Kevin Wood]

I did wonder what the 6H referred to on the blue plug/socket tho

Thanks 

Location of the Earth pin and key on the plug.

Plugs are available with the Earth pin at various locations, and this is used to provide protection from inserting a plug into a socket supplying the wrong voltage.

[TheBoy]

I went the TB route.....Wired a camping plug onto a 4 gang which I plug in to the lead

I might do that, depending on the length of the cable I have already...I haven't measured it....so it may be long enough 

Finding a decent 4 way that allows such a thick cable was difficult, which is why I suggested the premade adapter.

[TheBoy]

Yes.

Or get an adapter to a 13A socket.

Thanks 

And another question.....Those of you that have electric coolboxes....do you leave them plugged in all day? just turning them off at sleep time perhaps... 

Mines a 12v one.....so I would have to get a 12v power supply for it...

My camping fridge is a proper convection unit, so is completely silent, whether on mains, 12v or gas.

[Bigron]

Usually, 12V-only coolboxes use a semiconductor heat exchanger based on the Peltier effect, which removes heat from the junction of the elements and that heat requires a fan to cool it. They can be noisy, especially the cheaper ones, but should not require leaving on overnight.
The one I had when last I went camping and did leave it on overnight exploded canned drinks in it because it got cold enough to freeze the contents solid!

Ron.

[Kevin Wood]

The one I had when last I went camping and did leave it on overnight exploded canned drinks in it because it got cold enough to freeze the contents solid!

Crikey! I've never come across one that effective before!

[TheBoy]

Trouble is with the cheap Peltier ones is the whole thing is made to a cost, so it warms up too quickly.

I recall the callbox we used to have when I was a nipper - only had to change the ice packs once on a fortnight's camping.