Camping Electric Hook Up – How to Use

While many campers enjoy a ‘back to basics’ approach to camping, there are plenty who prefer the creature comforts of a few electrical appliances during their holidays, and why not? In this guide we will teach you how to safely set up electric hook ups when camping.

How To Set Up an Electric Hook Up When Camping

There are two main ways you can power electrical devices on a campsite. The first is to use a leisure battery, which is like a car battery and provides a 12V supply, and the second is an electric hook-up. Most commercial campsites in the UK will offer electric hook-ups on some or all their pitches; we have over 40 here at the Red Shoot Camping Park.

Camping electric hook-ups can provide a 230V supply, but electricity is restricted as our hook-ups at Red Shoot are rated 10A. This means you need to be careful what you use to avoid ‘tripping out and overloading’ the system. The power on our site is shared among all users, assuming not everyone will use the full 10A at the same time. Occasionally, if a cold spell occurs at times of high occupancy and all users switch on electrical heaters, kettles, etc., at the same time, you may suffer reduced power or even a power cut, so it is important to use electricity responsibly. Tripping the electrical supply can make you unpopular on site. The least you will need to do is contact the reception or on duty warden to reset the system.

Set Up Your Electric Hook Up

1. Make sure you have the right equipment – you will most likely need around a 25-metre camping hook up lead and a unit with RCD/MCB protection.

2. Make sure your units RCD is switched off before plugging anything in.

3. Then connect the lead to the unit, once you have done that connect it to the electric hook up point.

4. Once you are all plugged in – switch on the RCD and press the test button to check it’s working.

5. Use power sensibly – stick to using low watt appliances and avoid overloading the 10A supply.

How To Use Electric Hook Up in A Tent

To use an electric hookup in a tent, you will need a special electrical hookup cable specifically designed for camping. Once plugged in, you will run the cable through a designated entry point into your tent. Be sure to keep the sockets on the cable in a damp-proof box and ensure the cable is properly secured to keep yourselves safe and be mindful about what type of appliances you are using, as campsite electricity is not meant for high-wattage devices.

What Can I Run on A 10 Amp Hook Up?

• A Low Watt Camping Kettle

• A Low Watt Toaster

• A Low Watt Hair Dryer

• Camping Fridge

• Camping Electric Hob

  
  

Typically, if you are on a 10A supply, you will have access to around 2.3 kW (2300 watts). This means you could most likely run a low-watt kettle (around 750 watts) and a low-watt toaster (around 900 watts); however, anything additional to this at the same time and your risk tripping the electrics.

New Forest Campsites with Electric Hook Up

At the Red Shoot Camping Park, we have over 40 electric hookup points! Whether you are looking to use an electric hookup from a tent, caravan, or even motorhome, we are the campsite for you!

We are also a dog-friendly campsite with electric hook-ups, making us the perfect choice for summer holidays and weekend trips. For more information about getting booked with us at Red Shoot, book with us today!