How to connect your motorhome to a stop's electricity, which cable to use, how to avoid overloads and how to look after the leisure battery with simple tips.
Electricity sets the comfort of a motorhome: fridge, device charging, heating or air conditioning. Knowing how it works lets you use it safely and look after your batteries.
Two sources of power
- The leisure battery (12 V): powers the lights, the water pump and phone charging. It is recharged by driving, by solar panels or when connected to the mains.
- The mains connection (230 V): the one offered by stops with an electric socket. It lets you use household appliances and recharges the batteries.
How to connect at a stop
- Check the available power. Sockets at stops usually have a limit, shown on the listing or on the post. If you exceed it, the breaker will trip.
- Use a suitable cable. It must be rated for outdoor use and thick enough for the power. A cable that is too thin heats up.
- Unroll the cable completely. A coiled cable heats up more.
- Connect the cable to the vehicle first and then to the post (and the reverse when disconnecting), with the post switch off if it has one.
- Avoid puddles and strain on the plug.
Do not exceed the power
Each appliance uses energy: a hob, a heater or an air conditioner can use up the power of a socket. If the breaker trips, switch something off before reconnecting. Turning on several high-consumption appliances at once is the most common cause.
Look after the leisure battery
- Do not drain it completely. Batteries last longer if they are not emptied.
- Know the battery type. Some tolerate deep discharge and some do not.
- Recharge regularly. If you spend several nights unplugged, a solar panel helps.
- Switch off hidden drains when the vehicle is parked for a long time.
Safety
- Check the cable has no cuts or joins.
- Do not use homemade extension leads or damaged sockets.
- If something smells of burning or heats up, disconnect and check.
If there is no electric socket
Learn to live on the battery: switch off what you do not need, use LED bulbs and cook with gas. A reasonably sized solar panel gives you independence in summer.
How Parkvan helps
On Parkvan listings you see whether a stop has electricity, and you can filter the map by that service to plan your nights.
