Le Mans Electrics
Discussion
Anyone who's been before on a trackside campsite with electric hook up will know it looks like a bit heath-robinson with all the Y splitters and extension leads off extension leads.
IIRC the metal distribution boards have 4x 16A camping hook ups(shared between 40 pitches??), 2xeuropin (13a?) and 2x3phase multi pin. Only trouble is I can't remember exactly what the 3 phase sockets were. Has anyone got a photo or made a mental note if they were 4 pin or 5 pin or some other French speciality. And then if they are 32A or 63amp 3ph?
I've been looking around at the potential to buy or build a 3 phase to 3x single phase splitter - with separate 1ph 16amp circuits off a junction box - ideally with separate phase MCBs and ELCBs. If I can get one it will double the "safe" load capacity at the site as one of the 1ph 230v sockets was knackered. Also someone melted one of the euro connectors by plugging in a home made camper van into a Y lead and presumably had an electric heater!
We're at garage vert - so if you've got a photo of that even better. Otherwise I'll have to wait till next year
Not buying connectors I don't need.
IIRC the metal distribution boards have 4x 16A camping hook ups(shared between 40 pitches??), 2xeuropin (13a?) and 2x3phase multi pin. Only trouble is I can't remember exactly what the 3 phase sockets were. Has anyone got a photo or made a mental note if they were 4 pin or 5 pin or some other French speciality. And then if they are 32A or 63amp 3ph?
I've been looking around at the potential to buy or build a 3 phase to 3x single phase splitter - with separate 1ph 16amp circuits off a junction box - ideally with separate phase MCBs and ELCBs. If I can get one it will double the "safe" load capacity at the site as one of the 1ph 230v sockets was knackered. Also someone melted one of the euro connectors by plugging in a home made camper van into a Y lead and presumably had an electric heater!
We're at garage vert - so if you've got a photo of that even better. Otherwise I'll have to wait till next year
Not buying connectors I don't need.From walking by the last few years I think the garage vert electrics are the new 3 pin blue euro connectors as mentioned above.
My basic understanding of british electric law / safety is that you should never mix phases within a property / same area as if someone had one electric item plugged in on one phase and another on another phase they could some how accidentally combine to create 400 volts which would kill everyone! Saying that if you're in a bath and someone throws a toaster in it's not going to work out much better.
Anyway what I'm getting at is that in the past I've been very reluctant to split the 3 phases into 3 x single phases incase some idiot or rain some how combined them? Saying that the electrics on the other side of the post are probably on a separate phase anyway so could easy combine if running along side each other at the side of the road and are damaged by a vehicle or something.
My basic understanding of british electric law / safety is that you should never mix phases within a property / same area as if someone had one electric item plugged in on one phase and another on another phase they could some how accidentally combine to create 400 volts which would kill everyone! Saying that if you're in a bath and someone throws a toaster in it's not going to work out much better.
Anyway what I'm getting at is that in the past I've been very reluctant to split the 3 phases into 3 x single phases incase some idiot or rain some how combined them? Saying that the electrics on the other side of the post are probably on a separate phase anyway so could easy combine if running along side each other at the side of the road and are damaged by a vehicle or something.
a.christie said:
Don`t tell too many how to do it unless you are qualified,otherwise none of us on GV will have any leccy.
It's ok I'm on Tertre Rouge 
Yeah definitely better to stick to daisy chaining adapters than start fiddling with the wires.
If anyone is thinking of buying cables or adapters then I find everything works a lot better with 16amp cable / adapters. 5 amp leads and adapters soon start melting with the cable taking on the look/feel of cooked spaghetti. Once the electric point nearest to us started smoking after 20,000 people daisy chained off a french bedside light cable
vincegail said:
I am on Garage Vert too. I leave for Le Mans tomorrow to go to the testday and will check out the facilities at Garage Vert to see if my supply of connectors is up to the job.
I'll make you some photos
That brilliant Vince.. thanks. One of our guys works for Siemens so between us we might be able to knock something up. I did find a company selling 3ph->3x1ph splitters with MCBs but the box was £200! I'll make you some photos
Edited by vincegail on Thursday 28th May 20:15
Cheers for the rest of the comments. My goal is whatever we do has to be safe. I'm going to try and make some laminated guide to max socket ratings (working out how many watts which equals amps) as one got melted last year. The assumption being if you want to plug in or split you need to check what else is there before you.
The reason I'm looking at the 3 phase is the potential to reduce the load on the single phase 3 pin connectors. Last year with 3 on the box we had each of those with a 3 way splitter and then subsequent splits 30+m down the lines
I'd want to keep an eye on the 3 phases to try and keep the circuits balanced... and yes best option is to split the box off at the head end & send 3x50m cables in opposite directions. It maybe that this year we just keep it simple and tap 1 phase so at least we get an extra outputs from the distribution box. Interesting point though. .. are the 1ph sockets coming off all in the same phase?
We're leaving kettles and coffee machines at home but have about 250w of fridge and a stereo. I'm swapping the 60w bulbs for cfls this year and will bring some spares for any one else as i've gone led at home every little bit helps.
Better than the first year when we turned up with a 7kva genny after spending 5 years on karting nord with no power.
But i still think 1 day someone will plug in their electric blanket / ceramic kiln at the same time and take the whole site down. Warm beer and having to eat the food stash in 24h doesn't appeal.
The reason I'm looking at the 3 phase is the potential to reduce the load on the single phase 3 pin connectors. Last year with 3 on the box we had each of those with a 3 way splitter and then subsequent splits 30+m down the lines
I'd want to keep an eye on the 3 phases to try and keep the circuits balanced... and yes best option is to split the box off at the head end & send 3x50m cables in opposite directions. It maybe that this year we just keep it simple and tap 1 phase so at least we get an extra outputs from the distribution box. Interesting point though. .. are the 1ph sockets coming off all in the same phase?
We're leaving kettles and coffee machines at home but have about 250w of fridge and a stereo. I'm swapping the 60w bulbs for cfls this year and will bring some spares for any one else as i've gone led at home
every little bit helps.Better than the first year when we turned up with a 7kva genny after spending 5 years on karting nord with no power.
But i still think 1 day someone will plug in their electric blanket / ceramic kiln at the same time and take the whole site down. Warm beer and having to eat the food stash in 24h doesn't appeal.
//j17 said:
1. Get to camp site and take a look at what's available.
2. Go to local supermarket/DIY store (Brico Depot/Mr Bricolage/etc - there's one on the inside of the circuit off one of the Mulsanne roundabouts).
3. Buy/make cable.
That's what we did last year. And a blood long length of cable too!2. Go to local supermarket/DIY store (Brico Depot/Mr Bricolage/etc - there's one on the inside of the circuit off one of the Mulsanne roundabouts).
3. Buy/make cable.
When I first started going to Le Mans we were in Houx and I was always amazed by just how much those electric posts could handle. The only time we actually had an issue was a wet year when one socket burnt out. That wasn't so much the load as the twunt who open the bin bag we had wrapped around a multi-block part way down the chain, added their spur and...just left our multi-block sat on top the bag. Easy fix - we just doubled-up on another socket!
Some Gump said:
Long term Houx-er here.
Last year, all the old leccy was replaced with new - much less bodge, but much greater need for the "big blue" 40 amp jobs. From memory no standard 13 amp sockets at all...
Can anyone confirm or deny this, please? Worth knowing, as I was convinced Houx had only standard euro 2-pin...Last year, all the old leccy was replaced with new - much less bodge, but much greater need for the "big blue" 40 amp jobs. From memory no standard 13 amp sockets at all...
4everblue said:
Is it ok to take a genny onto site? We're staying on Bleu Nord and I have a Hinda suitcase generator which is fairly quiet.
I've had a neat cage made up for it that it goes into and then I park the car on it so it won't walk off
The issue is that as there are mains hook up's available, nobody has a genny. We took one the first year when we arrived at Garage Verte not knowing the situation, but after turning it on and realising the sounds carries (doesn't blend in to the sound of others running), we went out and bought a load of cables to get a cabled supply.I've had a neat cage made up for it that it goes into and then I park the car on it so it won't walk off
Where we originally were in Karting Nord, we could put the genny out the back of our site behind a car as we had no neighbours down one flank which can block the noise a fair bit. But if you have campers all around you, someone is going to get the noise from it.
Then you don't have to mess about with carrying fuel for it and topping it up. If you can plug in, I'd advise to.
The best thing for people to bring is splitters, as then you can always T in somewhere along the chain.
OK in order of the pic above the flapped one is a Schuco standard euro plug, preferably with earth pin, although a lot of adapters don't! Generally rated at 10Amp.
The blue is a 16Amp Commando socket, officially called IEC60390, the blue is 16A single phase, the red is 16Amps 3 phase commando.
If your splitting the phases then each phase needs protection at 16A & also RCD protection as phase to phase will be 400VAC!
The blue is a 16Amp Commando socket, officially called IEC60390, the blue is 16A single phase, the red is 16Amps 3 phase commando.
If your splitting the phases then each phase needs protection at 16A & also RCD protection as phase to phase will be 400VAC!
Edited by tr7v8 on Monday 1st June 07:40
Edited by tr7v8 on Monday 1st June 07:41
16 amp splitters are fine as long as all the cabling is of a suitable rating. The times in 20 years that I have seen supplies to pitches using no more than a roll of 6 amp twin and earth or what equates to little more than bell wire and even that is left coiled on the drum!!
To be honest with you,I would be pretty hacked off if someone just came along and either removed the plug or daisy chained without asking first.
If you are just running maybe a small fridge,couple of chargers and a light or two you should get 3 to 5 pitches off one decent outlet supply cable.
The problem occurs when Jack turns up with his mates on thursday evening with a rented RV and thinks it`s his right to run the air con,hob, shower and the girlfriends hairdryer all from your cable.
If you want to do this get to LM early and sort your own supply or run the risk of having your cables cut in to three pieces.
I personally don`t have a problem with smaller fairly quiet generators as long as they are not running 24/7. Twice a day for a couple of hours generally when most are out is fine. A note on the gennie to explain this will help.Just remember that Tate and Lyle produce a product that is not generator friendly and i have seen it done.
Better still get yourself a decent inverter for your own supply from the car battery and just make sure that you have a decent set of jump leads in your group.
We are all there to enjoy the experience and we have to live together for a few days...................there are always just a few though that don`t want to play nicely but pretty soon understand the ground rules.
Have fun.
To be honest with you,I would be pretty hacked off if someone just came along and either removed the plug or daisy chained without asking first.
If you are just running maybe a small fridge,couple of chargers and a light or two you should get 3 to 5 pitches off one decent outlet supply cable.
The problem occurs when Jack turns up with his mates on thursday evening with a rented RV and thinks it`s his right to run the air con,hob, shower and the girlfriends hairdryer all from your cable.
If you want to do this get to LM early and sort your own supply or run the risk of having your cables cut in to three pieces.
I personally don`t have a problem with smaller fairly quiet generators as long as they are not running 24/7. Twice a day for a couple of hours generally when most are out is fine. A note on the gennie to explain this will help.Just remember that Tate and Lyle produce a product that is not generator friendly and i have seen it done.
Better still get yourself a decent inverter for your own supply from the car battery and just make sure that you have a decent set of jump leads in your group.
We are all there to enjoy the experience and we have to live together for a few days...................there are always just a few though that don`t want to play nicely but pretty soon understand the ground rules.
Have fun.
a.christie said:
16 amp splitters are fine as long as all the cabling is of a suitable rating. The times in 20 years that I have seen supplies to pitches using no more than a roll of 6 amp twin and earth or what equates to little more than bell wire and even that is left coiled on the drum!!
To be honest with you,I would be pretty hacked off if someone just came along and either removed the plug or daisy chained without asking first.
If you are just running maybe a small fridge,couple of chargers and a light or two you should get 3 to 5 pitches off one decent outlet supply cable.
The problem occurs when Jack turns up with his mates on thursday evening with a rented RV and thinks it`s his right to run the air con,hob, shower and the girlfriends hairdryer all from your cable.
If you want to do this get to LM early and sort your own supply or run the risk of having your cables cut in to three pieces.
I personally don`t have a problem with smaller fairly quiet generators as long as they are not running 24/7. Twice a day for a couple of hours generally when most are out is fine. A note on the gennie to explain this will help.Just remember that Tate and Lyle produce a product that is not generator friendly and i have seen it done.
Better still get yourself a decent inverter for your own supply from the car battery and just make sure that you have a decent set of jump leads in your group.
We are all there to enjoy the experience and we have to live together for a few days...................there are always just a few though that don`t want to play nicely but pretty soon understand the ground rules.
Have fun.
You probably don't realise it, and I fully sympathise and agree to a point, you do come across as a bit of a grumpy old man. You are right, nobody wants banging Euro rock 24/7 but we all have to get along and a generator is hardly the noisiest thing you are going to have to deal with over the weekend is it?To be honest with you,I would be pretty hacked off if someone just came along and either removed the plug or daisy chained without asking first.
If you are just running maybe a small fridge,couple of chargers and a light or two you should get 3 to 5 pitches off one decent outlet supply cable.
The problem occurs when Jack turns up with his mates on thursday evening with a rented RV and thinks it`s his right to run the air con,hob, shower and the girlfriends hairdryer all from your cable.
If you want to do this get to LM early and sort your own supply or run the risk of having your cables cut in to three pieces.
I personally don`t have a problem with smaller fairly quiet generators as long as they are not running 24/7. Twice a day for a couple of hours generally when most are out is fine. A note on the gennie to explain this will help.Just remember that Tate and Lyle produce a product that is not generator friendly and i have seen it done.
Better still get yourself a decent inverter for your own supply from the car battery and just make sure that you have a decent set of jump leads in your group.
We are all there to enjoy the experience and we have to live together for a few days...................there are always just a few though that don`t want to play nicely but pretty soon understand the ground rules.
Have fun.
Tyre Smoke said:
You probably don't realise it, and I fully sympathise and agree to a point, you do come across as a bit of a grumpy old man. You are right, nobody wants banging Euro rock 24/7 but we all have to get along and a generator is hardly the noisiest thing you are going to have to deal with over the weekend is it?
We tend to take a hell of a sound system and a video projector. Last two years, we've "screened" the McQueen epic Le Mans on Friday night at volume on MB. All neighbors have come over to watch and thoroughly enjoyed. Then followed it up with (significantly quieter) secondary showings such as Rush or Dempsey: Racing LM. We turn off just after midnight. It's not all bad stuff with a neighbor with a generator and big sound system.Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff