Hi,
Complete newbie here. Picking up our Troll 530 60th edition next week from Automotive leisure. Really can't wait! Just working through the many things you need when you start caravaning. First question, how long do people recommend your power extension cable should be? I know from this forum you need a longer one because the door on the Eriba's are on the opposite side to traditional caravans. Standard length seems to be 25m but to a novice like me that seems excessive.
Thanks for your help. Phil.

I have a 25m lead but also carry a 15m one. If I can use the shorter lead, all the better but you'd surprised how far from your pitch the hook up point can be on some sites, especially when some idiot uses "your" socket just because it is closer to his outfit than his own one. On rare occasions i needed to use both leads to make a long enough run but most sites don't encourage this.

I think that, by law, your new Eriba will be supplied with a 25m hook-up lead (check with AL). I’ve never needed anything more in this country although I have just invested in an additional 10m lead for our upcoming trip to France.

Capn C

Great advice, thank you everyone. Will definitely get at least the 25m one. Al has the lead as an extra in their starter pack so I take it that it's not supplied unless this is an additional 25m lead. I will check with Al. Thanks again everyone.

There are cheap 1.5 mm diameter cables out there but I would suggest you get a 2.5mm diameter one and they are about £27 delivered for 25m

We carry a 25m and 10m cables as hate to have to uncoil the 25m when close to the hookup.You need to do this as leaving the cable coiled can result in fire. Have only needed to use both last year in France as EHU was so far away.

Hi All
Newbie to caravanning and the forum.

Does anyone have the technical skill to confidently state whether it's necessary to go with 2.5mmsq cable or whether 1.5mmsq is sufficient?

As I understand it, the hookup posts and the cables are rated 16 Amp max.

I am not an electrician but have broad technical knowledge and my research into the current-carrying capacity of different cables indicates that 1.5mmsq (2 or 3 conductors in open air) will comfortably carry 16+ Amp

The electrical demand from my Troll 540 is a fridge, the battery charger and a few LED lamps which will draw nothing like 16Amp. Even if I ultimately decide to add further appliances such as an electric kettle and/or an electric cooking ring then, I believe, the worst that can happen is that the hook-up post trips-out.

I understand the need for a cautious approach when there is a lack of understanding but 2.5mmsq seems unnecessary. The risk of me "doing my back in" whilst handling a 25m coil of 2.5sqmm is probably higher than the risk of some undefinable technical issue resulting in something unquantifiable happening to the hook up cable.

Your comments and thoughts will be welcomed.

Thanks for the info.

Actually there are plenty of 1.5mmsq ready-made hookup cables available and you have confirmed what I suspected to be the case; 1.5mmsq is more than adequate.

I intend buying two 1.5sqmm hookup cables (15m, 20m) with IP67 connectors (from JC Electrics - typically used for boats in marinas) so that I don't have to worry about the safety aspects of joining them together in wet conditions.

My only remaining concern is IP67 socket compatibility with the van connector so I have just posted another question on the forum in case you are interested "IP67 / IP66 Hookup Connectors".

ATB
Bob

1.5mm sq. is good for up to 16A

Screenshot (14).jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

However, BS7671 (18th edition regulations) state that an EHU cable must be 2.5 mm sq.

[[File:BS7621.pdf]]

All I can contribute is to reiterate that in France you can need kms of cable sometimes!