Houx Camping Electric and Water
Discussion
Hi,
We're in Houx camping this year and I was wondering if regulars can tell me 1) How many electric points there are and what sort of plug I need (normal French or the blue 16A campsite ones) and also how many standpipes there are for the water. Is it one per row of pitches or less?
Cheers,
Dave
We're in Houx camping this year and I was wondering if regulars can tell me 1) How many electric points there are and what sort of plug I need (normal French or the blue 16A campsite ones) and also how many standpipes there are for the water. Is it one per row of pitches or less?
Cheers,
Dave
I can offer some 'guidance' based on the last 8 years in Houx, but much of it is luck of the draw in terms of pitch.There are concrete posts which host water and electricity together
. The boys usually sort out the power and stuff - but I believe you should take an adaptor for your English plug. The best tip I can offer is to take lots of extension cables - you could well find that your nearest supply is some distance away, but via a collection of cables you can spur off your fellow campers power cables 
Just be prepared to be creative! Last year we were lucky because we had an electrician with us, so when the power all looked too complicated to get to, he managed to spur off a box on a telegraph pole close by and then supply the rest of the people in our local area too!
Hope that helps a bit?
Yeah cheers. Water and electricity together? Our continental friends must have a death wish (or maybe this is reserved for us )
Do you know if the taps take the standard "hozelock" type screw on fittings? Or is it best to take some kind of mixer-tap attachment (i.e. rubber connector with a jubilee clip on it)
Dave
)Do you know if the taps take the standard "hozelock" type screw on fittings? Or is it best to take some kind of mixer-tap attachment (i.e. rubber connector with a jubilee clip on it)
Dave
Not sure on the tap connection, however, there will be a single tap on each post (I think it's below the power sockets as opposed to above ?? ), for filling water carriers etc. You may upset a few people if you attach a hose to the single water supply for a number of pitches, but not quite sure what you have in mind?
), for filling water carriers etc. You may upset a few people if you attach a hose to the single water supply for a number of pitches, but not quite sure what you have in mind?Well, looks like these guys get away with it http://www.beermountain.com/campsitegadgets.htm
I guess as long as there is still a spare tap to fill water bottles, all is good.
I guess as long as there is still a spare tap to fill water bottles, all is good.
On the whole electric and water and NOT on the same posts - certainly not down the whole length of the wall.
At the end of every row is a utility post, with alternate ones being (I think) pair of taps or a 6 (domestic French indoor) plug sockets. If you have a triangular key in your toolbox it's worth bringing as the electrical posts do overload from time to time and the door to the trip switches is locked with suck a key.
Taps were for many years the screw-on type but they were all changed for the 2006 race to be the plain ended push-and-release for 20 seconds water type (no - push and hold doesn't work). This coincided with the ban on paddling pools due to a 'drought'.
At the end of every row is a utility post, with alternate ones being (I think) pair of taps or a 6 (domestic French indoor) plug sockets. If you have a triangular key in your toolbox it's worth bringing as the electrical posts do overload from time to time and the door to the trip switches is locked with suck a key.
Taps were for many years the screw-on type but they were all changed for the 2006 race to be the plain ended push-and-release for 20 seconds water type (no - push and hold doesn't work). This coincided with the ban on paddling pools due to a 'drought'.
Taps were for many years the screw-on type but they were all changed for the 2006 race to be the plain ended push-and-release for 20 seconds water type (no - push and hold doesn't work). This coincided with the ban on paddling pools due to a 'drought'.
That's useful info. So the guide on Beer Mountain is wrong then and it is a waste of time to try to take hosepipes..? These new taps have no potential for modification
That's useful info. So the guide on Beer Mountain is wrong then and it is a waste of time to try to take hosepipes..? These new taps have no potential for modification
dpeilow said:
That's useful info. So the guide on Beer Mountain is wrong then and it is a waste of time to try to take hosepipes..? These new taps have no potential for modification
Well, not unless you have a man with a large spanner and a replacement tap (and who likes trying to change taps with the water running!).This is certainly the situation in Houx but I can't speak for the other camp site. The infrastructure in Houx is perminent so the temporary stand pipes on the other sites might still have old taps - I believe Beer Mountain camp in Maison Blanche.
Question is, why would you WANT running water at Le Mans (given paddling pools are banned)? No matter what you clean it will be covered in mud/dust 5 minutes later, burning meat on the BBQ replaces washing it and you have beer to drink.
If it helps in any way, the taps in Camping Bleu are of the 'tamper proof' on for 20 secs type, so you can't really jubilee clip anything to them.
Changing a tap is not for the faint hearted! Armed with some stillsons, a 1/2" bsp tap and some ptfe tape I changed one last year at full mains pressure! It was an interesting experience but we were then able to connect 4 way taps etc. for showers or whatever.
This year we're in search of the mains stopcock, it will make life easier!
Changing a tap is not for the faint hearted! Armed with some stillsons, a 1/2" bsp tap and some ptfe tape I changed one last year at full mains pressure! It was an interesting experience but we were then able to connect 4 way taps etc. for showers or whatever.
This year we're in search of the mains stopcock, it will make life easier!
dpeilow said:
Does anyone know if those self-joining clamps can be attached at mains pressure
The need for this is because we didn't want to trapse to the end of the line with a water carrier for the sink in the van - i.e. laziness.
A few cans of aerosol pipe freeze and the jobs a good 'unThe need for this is because we didn't want to trapse to the end of the line with a water carrier for the sink in the van - i.e. laziness.
I didnt see the answer to the elec supply. I am really limited on space in the car so the option of a long extension lead isnt that practical.
also, what is the plug required?
looking on http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/images/archives/NewH... it shows different colour dots on some pitches. anyone know what these are.
we are in 59 1043, so no dot near us!
also, what is the plug required?
looking on http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/images/archives/NewH... it shows different colour dots on some pitches. anyone know what these are.
we are in 59 1043, so no dot near us!
Simond001 said:
I didnt see the answer to the elec supply. I am really limited on space in the car so the option of a long extension lead isnt that practical.
also, what is the plug required?
If you're lucky, you'll be near to a point and won't need a lead, if unlucky you won't be near a point and will need a lead! That simple I'm afraid! There aren't enough points to go round all the pitches - hence also needing a splitter.also, what is the plug required?
The plug type is the standard French one.
Simond001 said:
I didnt see the answer to the elec supply. I am really limited on space in the car so the option of a long extension lead isnt that practical.
Remember - Carrefour will supply (5m leads for about 3 Euro).Simond001 said:
also, what is the plug required?
As I said in my earlier post - standard 2-pin French domestic plug. Take an adaptor or... Carrefour will provide.Simond001 said:
looking on http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/images/archives/NewH... it shows different colour dots on some pitches. anyone know what these are.
At a guess yellow is electric post, blue is water.Simond001 said:
we are in 59 1043, so no dot near us!
That's the 2007 map though and, despite laying out exactly thr same number of plots in exactly the same places every year... they always seems to have different numbers!?!Carrefour or Leclerc for a 25m French extension .... been camping on Houx for 6 years now and it's always been long enough. I also duct tape the connection at the post end to ensure it's waterproof and stop it being the first one disconnected when the post is full and some joker turns up late and decides to "borrow" one.
If you get there and find no suitable connections nearby then ask around. Someone will let you connect from theirs in exchange for a few beers.
If you get there and find no suitable connections nearby then ask around. Someone will let you connect from theirs in exchange for a few beers.
dpeilow said:
Simond001 - you are right next to us
As long as you aren't taking an electric fire or a 3kw kettle, you are welcome to take a feed from our supply. I expect we will have more extension leads than the local B&Q!
Dave
Hi Dave,As long as you aren't taking an electric fire or a 3kw kettle, you are welcome to take a feed from our supply. I expect we will have more extension leads than the local B&Q!
Dave
Appreciate that. Funnily we are taking a tiny travel kettle. i don't exist without my earl grey in the morning.
Other than that it will be for a bug killer, laptop and lamp.
All i need now is a way to pump up the air beds!
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