Cable - yellow or blue

Posted on 05/06/2022 22:21 by ScreenName13E00D2154

We have been told to get a long cable to plug in our Motorhome to the outdoor socket to keep leisure battery topped up when MH is not being used. (It seems that the alarm will drain the battery over winter??)

We have bought a mains coupler to plug into the MH - do we need blue 1.5 mm cable or yellow 2.5mm. I have read that one is 16amp and the other is 25amp. 
Can’t seem to get hold of one in our local camping stores. 

Posted on 06/06/2022 10:42 by

If all you are doing is using the cable for charging your batteries whilst the van is not being used you can use either size.  A 2.5mm2 (25amp) EHU would be best for camping as there is very little chance of accidentally exceeding its rating.  Any colour can be used but logically yellow or orange can be seen more easily.  The myth that blue signifies that it is Arctic grade cable is just that.  Arctic grade is available in most colours and does make the cable more easily manageable in cold weather and less prone to the outer covering cracking.  I hope that helps. 

Posted on 06/06/2022 11:35 by Tinwheeler

Quite right. I was keeping it simple so as not to complicate the issue but bear in mind the length of the cable is a consideration as well as load. 👍🏻

Posted on 06/06/2022 11:50 by

I didn't mention length and load as the difference when using a 13amps supply, even at its maximum, is so vanishingly small on anything less than 100m it is not worth complicating the issue.  

Posted on 06/06/2022 12:02 by Tinwheeler

Again, I agree but there's no guarantee the cable will only ever be used on a 13amp supply. I thought you wanted to cover all bases but I think we're in danger of boring folk now with the minutiae.

Posted on 06/06/2022 13:23 by

I agree.  I was very surprised when you raised the issues. That is why I tried to keep it simple, but also accurate.