Guest rael Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 I’ve noticed that quite a few motorhome owners in my local area seem to have their motorhome almost permanently connected to their home power supply via their EHU. Is this necessary/wise? I don’t do this, might plug in for 24 hours before we go away but otherwise as I’m using the van a couple of times a week I’m assuming that will suffice in terms of charging batteries? My last motorhome spent 6 months in outdoor storage, (not on charge) with no apparent deterioration of the batteries. My current motorhome is smaller than the previous one so fits on the drive, so I can connect EHU if needed. Advice would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 A long earlier forum discussion about this https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Why-shouldn-t-I-be-plugged-into-EHU-all-the-time-/39683/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rael Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Thanks Derek. Blimey, I think I need a lie down after glancing at that! I'm still non the wiser! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpstart Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Wow just tried reading through that lot......I think the answer might be Maybe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirou Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 jumpstart - 2019-10-22 12:35 PM Wow just tried reading through that lot......I think the answer might be Maybe! The answer is: " depends" For most the solution is to turn on occasionally, rather than full time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefitz Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Unless you have a special outlet designed to supply power to your motorhome, connecting the EHU cable between an outlet in the house or garage and the van will not comply with regulations. Most homes in the UK have an earthing system, PME, where the neutral and earth are bonded where the supply enters the property. The regulations prohibit the connection of a PME supply to any metal bodied accomodation including caravans and motorhomes. Under certain supply faults there can be a voltage difference between the PME conductors and the actual earth ( grass,soil,paving) near the motorhome. Such conditions are rare but may occur hence the regulations. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 mikefitz - 2019-10-22 5:26 PM Unless you have a special outlet designed to supply power to your motorhome, connecting the EHU cable between an outlet in the house or garage and the van will not comply with regulations. Most homes in the UK have an earthing system, PME, where the neutral and earth are bonded where the supply enters the property. The regulations prohibit the connection of a PME supply to any metal bodied accomodation including caravans and motorhomes. Under certain supply faults there can be a voltage difference between the PME conductors and the actual earth ( grass,soil,paving) near the motorhome. Such conditions are rare but may occur hence the regulations. Mike So what makes the supply point for an EHU special? Is it not just a wall-mounted blue socket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 StuartO - 2019-10-22 5:58 PM mikefitz - 2019-10-22 5:26 PM Unless you have a special outlet designed to supply power to your motorhome, connecting the EHU cable between an outlet in the house or garage and the van will not comply with regulations. Most homes in the UK have an earthing system, PME, where the neutral and earth are bonded where the supply enters the property. The regulations prohibit the connection of a PME supply to any metal bodied accomodation including caravans and motorhomes. Under certain supply faults there can be a voltage difference between the PME conductors and the actual earth ( grass,soil,paving) near the motorhome. Such conditions are rare but may occur hence the regulations. Mike So what makes the supply point for an EHU special? Is it not just a wall-mounted blue socket? It should be earth at, or near, the socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefitz Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 It's not just a blue socket. The outlet is supplied with live and neutral power cables via a 30 mA RCD and a local earth is used, normally an earth rod. It's very unusual faults that cause the supplied earth in the house to have a higher voltage than your garden earth, faults at the substation, road works damaging cables. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.