Campsite Electricals.

[rando]

We are camping in a tent at a powered site for 3 weeks at christmas And I am concerned about how to run the electricals for our large tent.
We have a two room tent and I want a light in both rooms and power to run a fan if its too hot for sleeping, OK so a 4 point pwerboard does whats required in the tent.

Outside under the tarp we have two lights one of which has two power outlets, Also Two cooking appliances ( sandwich press & a grill-plate) and a fullsize fridge. Again power out- lets for 2 fans when there are no breezes.
The supply lead is 15 amp..

Whats the best way to connect all this. I seem to have to use piggyback powerboards, OR is it not an issue and I can run more than one off another .

I dont want to create a potentially dangerous situation so any sparky's out there please give me some advise on the best set -up, or equipment to keep everyone safe.

Here is my current set up

Supply------------- .*******four point PB inside tent( lights & fans)
Five
point
P/B . ####### light with 2 outlets### light
#### Fan

.^^^^^^Fridge

.<<<<<<Grill

. >>>>>> S/Press

Of course these lights and appliances would only rarely be used similtaniously.

Is this a safe arrangement????

rando

[Just_chips]

If you really want to keep everybody safe then you might like to look at using a portable RCD (Residual Current Device) as your first contact with the power outlet. These things are now mandatory in houses and save lives. They cut out at the first sign of earth leakage in something like 1/100th of a heartbeat. The pwered site may have its own RCD but it doesn't hurt to have your own for your own peace of mind.

Cheers Kev

[rubba]

mate youre camping get out and enjoy dont worry about the power build camp fire have few drinks and make youre own fun

[silver19]

good question rando something you tend not to think to much about in the excitement of getting the family away, hope you get some good answers although Kev has got it covered I think.

[Brett1907]

I would get the biggest power board I could and run extension cords. I have a 12 point board for my Christmas lights at home. They are available at bunnnings or other hardware stores.

Brett

[JasonT]

The issue isn't with how many outlets a powerboard has. It could have a million outs, but it will only have one input.

Every amp of current being drawn by appliances connected to a powerboard will flow through the cord that plugs the board into the GPO.
Excessive current through a non-protected lead will cause it to heat and possibly catch alight.

To play it safe, always use an RCD, and in this situation I'd additionally use powerboards with overcurrent protection.

The trick is not to exceed the 15Amps capability of your supply lead.

From what you say, you won't be using all appliances simultaneously(reducing the likelihood of overload) , and if you use the overcurrent protected powerboards, they should trip if current exceeds their rating.

The only problem with overcurrent protection on some powerboards is that it can trip when items like fridge compressors etc cut in. The instantaneous current draw of these appliances can greatly exceed the nominal 10 or 15A, even though the appliances nominal current draw is well within the boards capability!

Personally, for lighting in tents, I've always used a 12v system.
Safer and you don't need to rely on a powered site.
But then again, you have way more appliances than I did! :-) 12V wouldn't be too practical by the sounds of it!


JT

[rando]

Ausfishers
As always you guys have come thru for me.

I will go and get the RCD unit.

Rubba , there is nothing I would like better than your suggestion but the campground might object. Still got a bit of work to do to get the missus to give up the amenities, but, Ill wear her down.

JT all my powerboards have cut-out switches in them , thanks for the explanation
Again thanks all
rando

[wayne_cook]

if power use is a problem & u intend to use 240 v fluro lights. I installed electronic ballasts in my fluros which reduces currant considerably.have ur leads tested and keep them as short as possible.hope this helps

[still_water]

Hi Rando as brrbear said about the ballasts, I use 2 foot flouro's with a 12 volt ballast put in. I buy the ballast for approx $20 to fit yourself, but you can by a complete unit for around $50, just connect to battery and go.

They are also good and handy for around the house during blackouts.

JT would have more of an Idea on this as this is his type of field.
Just an Idea that works well for us when camping/4wding with no power around.

Brett