Europe's RV's

Remove 240 appliances and replace with NA appliances etc.

DrewE wrote:
Probably the easiest would be to wire up a 50A plug converter. So long as the campground has a proper split-phase 50A socket, there is 240V between the two hot legs. The neutral line in this case would not be used. This adapter would not work with a 30A connection, even with a 30A to 50A adapter.

It might be possible, though I would not think it likely, that you may find some campgrounds where the two legs are actually two of the three phases of a 120/208 three phase supply, in which case the voltage between the legs would be 208V.

Not that easy.
US 120V comes from 2-phase 240V, while European 230V comes from 3-phase 380V.
In other words - US 240v is between hot and hot wire, while EU 230v is between hot and ground.
My limited knowledge about electricity would make me guess that resistors don't care about the phases, but anything else might.

Now in case you'd like to to use 230V appliances in 120V house.
It will be much more difficult.
Usually that would require heavy and bulky transformers, although latest technology makes inverter converters much lighter. But those are not cheap.

tarnold wrote:
OP here. Guess what I was getting at was what would it take to get one of "their" rv's to work over here?

Probably the easiest would be to wire up a 50A plug converter. So long as the campground has a proper split-phase 50A socket, there is 240V between the two hot legs. The neutral line in this case would not be used. This adapter would not work with a 30A connection, even with a 30A to 50A adapter.

It might be possible, though I would not think it likely, that you may find some campgrounds where the two legs are actually two of the three phases of a 120/208 three phase supply, in which case the voltage between the legs would be 208V.

The legal aspects of importing a European vehicle to the United States are rather more daunting than the electrical hookup, as I understand it approaching impossible if the vehicle is newer than 25 years old. I don't have any idea if a temporary importation is any simpler than a permanent one.

All RV I have seen are 12V with converter/charger that will keep the batteries at 12V.
Coming to using US appliances in Europe, there are lot of variations.
Lot of computers and electronics have power supply that will work 100-250V with no modification. All you need is plug adapter.
Shavers, hair dryers often do have 120/240V switches, so check if your might have one.
Converting 230 to 120V is easy and you can buy travelers kits at electronic places.
The 50W power supply will fit in your pocket, while 1500W is still pretty small.
Than 50 Hz does make some differences.
Microwave ovens running off 230/120v converters will turn slower and will loose some of the heating power.
To make it clear >>> US has household voltage at 120V, Europe at 230V - for most of the countries.
The 110 or 220V ratings apply to operating voltage - typically electric motors that drawing big current make the voltage drop.

wikipedia has good explanation

OP here. Guess what I was getting at was what would it take to get one of "their" rv's to work over here?

John & Angela wrote:

crosscheck wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

crosscheck wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
RoyB, I think the Europeans have updated things like we have here in the US in that amount of time.

We manufacture electrical items that we ship around the world. All of our European products have at a 3 prong connection.

MM.

Good Afternoon. All electrical appliances are 220. 110 appliances will not work there. You can use small adapters for low current appliances.

110V appliances will work as long as you have a converter. The one we used for my wife 1500W hairdryer is 50W to 2000W. Any appliance under 50W or over 50W up to 2000W there is a switch on the converter. We only used it the first time (2006) and it has sat in a drawer ever since. Small electronics transform the 220V(Europe) or 110V (NA) down to +-12V no matter where it is plugged in.

Dave

Good to know Dave. Thanks. We are headed back to spain in a wekk for about a month. I think Angela has a 220 hair dryer from our last visit but not sure.

Sangria and Paella awaits us.

:)

You guys sure get around don't cha?


Dave

Heh heh. Yah. Life is short. Death is long. By the way. Right now we are in Vernon. Came back just in time for the sunshine. :).

It has been a mild winter. Today, my wife skied the Gatineau Loppet(51K classic) with starting temps around -14C. Still winter back in Ottawa.

I am only 67, still waaaay too young to be full timing like you guys. Have fun.

Dave

crosscheck wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

crosscheck wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
RoyB, I think the Europeans have updated things like we have here in the US in that amount of time.

We manufacture electrical items that we ship around the world. All of our European products have at a 3 prong connection.

MM.

Good Afternoon. All electrical appliances are 220. 110 appliances will not work there. You can use small adapters for low current appliances.

110V appliances will work as long as you have a converter. The one we used for my wife 1500W hairdryer is 50W to 2000W. Any appliance under 50W or over 50W up to 2000W there is a switch on the converter. We only used it the first time (2006) and it has sat in a drawer ever since. Small electronics transform the 220V(Europe) or 110V (NA) down to +-12V no matter where it is plugged in.

Dave

Good to know Dave. Thanks. We are headed back to spain in a wekk for about a month. I think Angela has a 220 hair dryer from our last visit but not sure.

Sangria and Paella awaits us.

:)

You guys sure get around don't cha?


Dave

Heh heh. Yah. Life is short. Death is long. By the way. Right now we are in Vernon. Came back just in time for the sunshine. :).

John & Angela wrote:

crosscheck wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
RoyB, I think the Europeans have updated things like we have here in the US in that amount of time.

We manufacture electrical items that we ship around the world. All of our European products have at a 3 prong connection.

MM.

Good Afternoon. All electrical appliances are 220. 110 appliances will not work there. You can use small adapters for low current appliances.

110V appliances will work as long as you have a converter. The one we used for my wife 1500W hairdryer is 50W to 2000W. Any appliance under 50W or over 50W up to 2000W there is a switch on the converter. We only used it the first time (2006) and it has sat in a drawer ever since. Small electronics transform the 220V(Europe) or 110V (NA) down to +-12V no matter where it is plugged in.

Dave

Good to know Dave. Thanks. We are headed back to spain in a wekk for about a month. I think Angela has a 220 hair dryer from our last visit but not sure.

Sangria and Paella awaits us.

:)

You guys sure get around don't cha?

Dave

crosscheck wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
RoyB, I think the Europeans have updated things like we have here in the US in that amount of time.

We manufacture electrical items that we ship around the world. All of our European products have at a 3 prong connection.

MM.

Good Afternoon. All electrical appliances are 220. 110 appliances will not work there. You can use small adapters for low current appliances.

110V appliances will work as long as you have a converter. The one we used for my wife 1500W hairdryer is 50W to 2000W. Any appliance under 50W or over 50W up to 2000W there is a switch on the converter. We only used it the first time (2006) and it has sat in a drawer ever since. Small electronics transform the 220V(Europe) or 110V (NA) down to +-12V no matter where it is plugged in.

Dave

Good to know Dave. Thanks. We are headed back to spain in a wekk for about a month. I think Angela has a 220 hair dryer from our last visit but not sure.

Sangria and Paella awaits us.

:)