I'm shipping my Autocruise Jazz RV from UK to USA for a 6 month holiday in 2015. In UK I hook up using a standard cable used across Europe for 220 or 240V. Can I get a cable or an adaptor that will allow me to hook up my UK RV to a 110V USA RV site post? If so, will my 12V lights work OK?Secondly, can it get a gas bottle and adaptor pipe for my gas supply? In UK I use 6 kg propane bottles. Looking forward to my trip !Mick

You could start looking here for your electric needs. When I was stationed in Europe I used several indoor transformers to run my 110v appliances from a 220v outlet. They worked great as long as I didn't exceed the rated watts.

Most RV parks have 50 amp hook-ups. For the experts: Couldn't the OP simply rewire a 50 amp plug/pigtail for 220-240 volts?

Air conditioner and microwave may not like the 60Hz vs your 50Hz.Many campgrounds have what we commonly call 50 amp service that runs at 240 volts. You can probably make an adapter to match the outlet to your cord. It is a NEMA 14-50 designated outlet. Most common is the 30amp that is 120 volts 30 amps and would need a transformer to step up voltage but that does not change the cycles.Otherwise if you can get by running off your 12v battery we have plenty of ways to keep the battery charged.I don't know the technicalities on propane but a dealer should be able to set you up with new hose and fitting as needed. Or set you up with a US bottle and adapter.

I probably would rent a Camper Van over here and not mess with all you will need to convert to use your 220V system. AUTOCRUISE CAMPER VANRoy Ken

Probably the simplest idea is once you land in the US make Wal-Mart your first stop. Buy a decent quality battery charger and 25 foot extension cord. Plug the battery charger into the batteries and connect it to the power post. As for the propane? Not sure. Bring an adapter from home with pipe threads on one end. Then any gas supplier should be able to make an adapter. But then again refilling your gas bottles may not work. What is the fill port on your gas bottle? Find that out and email one of the large gas suppliers here and ask them if they will be able to fill your tanks. Next option might be to leave your gas bottles at home and buy one here.

Hooking up a UK RV in USA | Good Sam Community

43 Replies

Martyn
Nomad
Mar 13, 2014
camperpaul wrote:
Martyn wrote:

... back when I used to travel Europe (40 to 50 years ago) I came across a lot of 110/120. Times change :)

Did you spend a lot of time on US military bases?

Nope - I'm English. :)
camperpaul
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
Martyn wrote:

... back when I used to travel Europe (40 to 50 years ago) I came across a lot of 110/120. Times change :)

Did you spend a lot of time on US military bases?
Mdmheath
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
Just got confirmation from the electrics manufacturer - confirming there's a little internal switch for 110V.
Getting closer :)
I'm finding some great sites for trip information - Great Road Trip, National Parks, Recreation. Glad to see stuff about dispersed camping too.
Martyn
Nomad
Mar 10, 2014
Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
Martyn wrote:

That's pretty neat. Probably because of the closeness of mainland Europe and all of their 110v systems. Nice to see a proactive manufacturer! :)

Most if not all of "mainland Europe" also uses 220-240VAC 50Hz.

World voltage and frequency list

True now, but back when I used to travel Europe (40 to 50 years ago) I came across a lot of 110/120. Times change :)
gotsmart
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
After a cursory review, I don't see anywhere where it says the EC400 PSU can accept 110V to 120V AC for input voltage, even for only charging the leisure (coach/house) battery. Just because there is an adapter does not mean it can be used.

http://sargentshop.co.uk/Technical-Data/Self-Help/EC400-/-EC450-Power-Control-System

EC400 System Instructions:
http://www.sargentltd.co.uk/EC400%20System%20Instructions%20Issue%202.pdf

EC400/450 Dealer Technical Document:
http://www.sargentltd.co.uk/EC400%20Dealer%20Tech%20Guide.pdf
Mdmheath
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
smkettner wrote:
If you get here and find you need an additional adapter just give a shout out and someone will set you up.

Be sure to investigate phones and internet as you will not want to pay international roaming charges depending on your plan.

British-teen-gets-socked-with-6000-cell-bill-after-Big-Apple-trip_id45256

I'm going to bring my (unlocked) iPhone and iPad. In the US I'll get a contract with AT & T who've been offering advice.
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 08, 2014
If you get here and find you need an additional adapter just give a shout out and someone will set you up.

Be sure to investigate phones and internet as you will not want to pay international roaming charges depending on your plan.

British-teen-gets-socked-with-6000-cell-bill-after-Big-Apple-trip_id45256
Mdmheath
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
gotsmart wrote:
Question for the OP. The below quote is in the literature. Does your caravan have a 16 amp or less power supply (PSU)? I ask because I keep finding these.

It is possible that the 230V mains electrical equipment may not all operate simultaneously. A typical UK motorhome site mains hook up point provides a maximum output of 10 amps and on some continental sites the available output may be as low as 5 amps.

for the electricians: the OP's RV may very well use a 230V AC 16 amp setup.

download and open in Acrobat Reader - go to PDF page 51 (rotate clockwise)
http://assets.swiftgroup.co.uk/swift-group/handbooks/2013%20Owners%20Handbooks/2013%20Van%20Conversion%20Owners%20Handbook.pdf

download and open in Acrobat Reader - go to PDF page 61 (rotate clockwise)
http://assets.swiftgroup.co.uk/swift-group/handbooks/2013%20Technical%20Handbooks/2013%20Van%20Conversion%20tech%20book.pdf

The manual for my vehicle is the one you've provided a link to. I have the EC400 PSU. It says that it delivers 25 amps when plugged into 230V but only 20 amps can be used by the leisure load - the other 5 amps is used to recharge the leisure battery.

I do have an adaptor that lets me plug my hook up cable male end into a female wired to a UK 3 pin 240 v household plug - I use this to charge the van leisure battery from the house. I also have a travel adaptor that lets me plug a UK 3 pin plug into a US socket. So I reckon I have all I need for a 20 amp camp site connection. I'm waiting for confirmation from the PSU builder that 110V supply is OK. Looking good :) I don't think I'll need the US 30 amp to 20 amp adaptor for my low demands.
Mdmheath
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:
Driving a UK car in the USA, the drivers side with steering wheel will still put you on the wrong side of the vehicle for operating in the USA. There's more considerations that just your voltage when operating a vehicle in the western hemisphere.

This is something many UK drivers are used to - we take our cars and RVs to Europe Its quite straightforward.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
Driving a UK car in the USA, the drivers side with steering wheel will still put you on the wrong side of the vehicle for operating in the USA. There's more considerations that just your voltage when operating a vehicle in the western hemisphere.