How to Use Electric Hookups at a Campground - Tips & Tricks for VAN LIFE Camping
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- čas přidán 4. 12. 2023
- This video provides basic information about using a electric box at a campground. I specifically discuss tips and tricks related to van life.
#vanlife #campground #minivancamper #minivancamping
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This is my 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan no-build minivan camper conversion. I travel with my Chihuahua, Wynston. We’ve visited 34 states together in the continental US, and our home base is in Arizona.
Please note that by purchasing items from Amazon using our links, we may earn a small commission to help with our business expenses. Thank you! Xoxo Amanda & Wynston
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Amazon Items by Category: (affiliate links)
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❤FINALLY!!?! A CZcams Creater giving really helpful and educational information about campground electrical hook-up! Thank you! Love your channel, Winston and Matty. Great Job, Amanda.❤🌞🍀🌲🌵🐕
I put a external input connector from amazon under the rear bumper and ran the wiring behind the left taillight. There is a ventilation grate that has a gasket which is die cut to accept a wire which leads directly into the jack compartment. No drilling, no fuss, no muss.
Amanda you are a godsend to those who are new to all of this. Your tips are so practical and well communicated. Thank you. See u at the RTR.
I appreciate that!
I have stayed at campgrounds that only have 50 amp. So you need a 50 amp adapter. Also your extension cord should be at least 12 gauge. I love lil Winston's penthouse apartment!!!
Hey Amanda! Very helpful for those of us who are just starting to dip our toes in to this type of lifestyle. Much appreciated! As they say… you don’t know what you don’t know! And sometimes then it is too late! Do you have the adapter listed anywhere so we could go and purchase the same one? Great info about the surge protector. You assume those sorts of things would be built in to a power station. But you never know for sure. Better to be safe than sorry! That would be an expensive mistake! Thanks for the practical info. It helps a lot! Side question for you. Have you ever used a Hotlogic mini for making meals in the van? I love using mine and wondered if you had ever tried one or used them. What is your favorite meal when you travel?
I love my Hot Logic! I warm up Home Fresh premade refrigerated meals with it. Here's an adapter link for you: amzn.to/3Rtnb6G
oh my gosh!! Thank you for the details on the plugs! Very helpful to me!
Thank you
You're welcome!
Excellent video and super helpful. Thank you!
Very helpful. Thank you.
You’re the best! Thanks for the info.
Excellent information!! Thank you for sharing!❤
I found this video highly informative I think it's very important to have strong extension cords and adapters I hope you're enjoying yourself camping.
I really want you to talk to us about flexible sturdy solar I would love to hear about.. I know what Bob Wells has to say. But I want YOUR opinion, because I respect you!
Another great review, very informative
Thanks again!
Thanks! I've just been using a 20amp extension cord to charge my power station. I've just been lucky I stopped at places that had the 20 as I thought all places had it. I didn't even consider that I might run into a place that only had 30/50 and could use an adapter! One more thing to add to my travel stuff:)
You definitely need a good surge protector
Hands down this is the best video I’ve seen giving electrical guidance for SUV/Van campers. I need to get some adapters and a surge protector. Thank you!
Awesome, thank you!
Hi Amanda, fairly new subscriber. I really like your channel, it’s just so straight forward and pleasant…no drama. I find it very enjoyable and relaxing to watch. I’m really envious of your minimalist van life. I dream about that lifestyle, multiple times a day. I’d love it but unfortunately, I just don’t see it happening. My wife and 3 adult, educated kids and I have a fairly affluent lifestyle, which is the “American dream”. I’m not knocking how blessed we are but it’s soooo not me. I’m such a minimalist at heart and in spirit..always have been but you are sometimes driven to meet society and family expectations…again, nothing wrong with that. Whenever I mention this to my wife and kids, they literally think I’ve lost it and something is wrong with me…hahaha. They just don’t get it. I hope to someday get out to Quartzite with my two English bulldogs and experience it for a few weeks or so. I think it would be a blast and fun to meet people. Thanks for sharing your experiences and I look forward to your next video!
Hi Terry. Thanks for being here! There's a lot to unpack in your comment, but ultimately I feel sad that your family doesn't understand your desire for a simpler lifestyle. It's absolutely true that many people just don't get it. Perhaps a nice, long solo "trip" for you and your pups would be a good idea to start. You'd meet a lot of likeminded people, and you'd realize you fit in with us. :)
Well done and informative!!
Very informative, thanks!
Thanks so much this is something I’ve been wondering about. I don’t know anything about 30 or 50 amp whatever, and this was very helpful!
Thanks for the information. We have always backpacked or tent camped. Doing research into “the big trip” we’re seeing a lot of tent sites that include electricity. Good advice, thanks!
When using an adapter along with extension cords and power strips, PLEASE DO NOT run more appliances and such, at one time, that can exceed the power ratings of the cord or strip. In this instance, for example, the extension cord may be 14 gauge (size of wire). The power strip may also be 14 gauge. This wire is rated for 15 amps, even though adapter is plugged into 30 or 50 amp outlet. This the green extension cord from Walmart is rated at only 13 amps. "Hyper Tough 50 ft 16AWG 3-Prong Green Single Outlet Outdoor Extension Cord, 13 Amps"
How do I convert watts into amps? Amps = Watts / Volts
A 1500 watt hairdryer: 1500 amps divided by 120 volts = 12.5 amps.
The most common hair dryer rating is 1,875 watts or 15.63 amps, exceeding the rating of the extension cord mentioned above.
Power strips, with surge protectors are nice to use. This power strip from Walmart, GE Pro 8-ft 3-Outlet Extension Cord with Surge Protection, 250J, White/Gray, 38433, is rated at "The 13A/125VAC/1625W maximum electrical rating makes this unit perfect for indoor use with most household electronics."
Plug into a power strip as many items as its outlets will handle. However, PLEASE do not turn on more of those items. AT ONE TIME, than the power rating of the strip can handle. Thus, this one, rated at 1635W shouldn't be used with a 1875W hair dryer.
PLEASE do your own research on your own gear and/or future purchases that will ensure safety of your setup.
This was VERY helpful! I hadn't thought about keeping the adapter connected to my extension cord. Thank you!
Hi Amanda and Wynston. This was very helpful. Thanks for breaking it down for us. It is important to show us these tips, when others just say very little or nothing at all.
You are so welcome!
I have a 110 RV. Plug, I've had it fore two years. NEVER installed it (-: still able to rely solely on my solar. But sometimes the battery gets low and makes ne nervous. Glad you got a spot.(-:
Thanks for this. Thanks. I’ll buy a 30 amp adapter soon.
👍 Thank you!
Thank you ❤❤
Great info. Thanks for the video it's been very helpful to me. I have a 30 amp adapter, but I do not have a surge protector. I never even thought about that. But I do want to protect my Bluetti power station .
👍
Hi Amanda
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@susanmorgan647 thank you. Clear guidance provided and appreciated. One question…if you use the 30 or 50 amp plug, and corresponding adapter, does it matter what gauge extension cord you use. Right now I think I have typical household outdoor 16 gauge ext cords but have been thinking I need to buy a good 12 gauge cord. Thanks.
Amanda do you have a link for the long extension cord?
When you leave the campground, can you share what the campsite name is and cost? Looks like I need to purchase a 30 amp adapter, thanks!
Yes!! I will make a whole video about it. ❤️
Pretty sure you need a higher level power surge protector, not an extension cord type, right?
I thought the exact same thing. That looks like an extension cord, not a surge protector.
I was always curious about campgrounds w/hookups. Are the boxes always turned on (juiced)? Do they turn on the electricity by specific site, only after you've checked in and paid? Or are they always live? If they are turned on individually, when you leave, do they turn them off or? For instance, if your neighbors left at dawn, and you needed to charge something up, could you theoretically run your extension cord from your spot over to their vacated hookup? I'm just thinking out loud now, I would never try to pull off something that goes against the campers code. 😶
They should always be on but I am pretty sure they would ask you to leave if you used someone else's and they saw you.
I forgot to say they turn them off seasonally.