Reversed polarity

[bartman]

Now that we've (hopefully) heard the last about Barry's ring, I thought I'd resurrect an old favourite.
While on our first foray over the pyranees and into Spain, the fridge wasnt coping well on gas so we used a few sites paying for electricity. I was surprised to find 3 newly installed sites using the round euro style sockets, which meant that for the first time I used the adapter I bought over 10 years ago!
The point of all this is that for those who worry about these things, there's no need for an adapter to deal with reversed polarity. If it shows as reversed on your tester, just pull the plug out, rotate 180 degrees and assuming they've managed to connect the earth, all should be fine.
Now, was there a gassing thread arising from Barry's ring?

 

[maingate]

I know what I would like to do with Barrys' ring but I can't find my baseball bat at the moment.

 

[Robmac]

I know what I would like to do with Barrys' ring but I can't find my baseball bat at the moment.

I can lend you a rather large Cactus if you like Jim?

 

[barryd]

I suppose I should be flattered that you all start talking about me in threads I have no interest in.

 

[merl]

I know what I would like to do with Barrys' ring but I can't find my baseball bat at the moment.

You saying you'd like to smash Barry's ring?

 

[colinm]

I recall being told an adaptor would not be needed in Scandinavia, good job we always carry one, as several sites had the two pin sockets.

 

[marchie]

I can lend you a rather large Cactus if you like Jim?

Difference between a cactus and an Audi driver is that all the pricks are on the outside of the cactus ...

Steve

 

[trevskoda]

Better to fit one of these, red light flick the switch, green good to go.

 

[maingate]

You saying you'd like to smash Barry's ring?

Wash your mouth out with soap and water... you perv.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I can lend you a rather large Cactus if you like Jim?

Hmm, is that an offer to Jim or a questioning if we like him?

 

[molly 2]

Now that we've (hopefully) heard the last about Barry's ring, I thought I'd resurrect an old favourite.
While on our first foray over the pyranees and into Spain, the fridge wasnt coping well on gas so we used a few sites paying for electricity. I was surprised to find 3 newly installed sites using the round euro style sockets, which meant that for the first time I used the adapter I bought over 10 years ago!
The point of all this is that for those who worry about these things, there's no need for an adapter to deal with reversed polarity. If it shows as reversed on your tester, just pull the plug out, rotate 180 degrees and assuming they've managed to connect the earth, all should be fine.
Now, was there a gassing thread arising from Barry's ring?

Gassing thread please explain,??? My favourite is tyre pressure threads

 

[r4dent]

Gassing thread please explain,???

A huge controversy about if it is possible to be rendered unconscious by thieves introducing gas into a parked motor home.

Those who say "NO" base this one of three statements.
1) An expert says that the amount of gas required would require a fleet of articulated tanker trucks.
2) This only happens to a friend of a neighbour of a cousin of a guy someone's colleague met in a pub.
3) Google says it is impossible

Those who say "YES" base this one of three statements.
1) An expert says that the amount of gas required could be stored under pressure in a small aerosol can.
2) This happened to a friend of a neighbour of a cousin of a guy someone's colleague met in a pub.
3) Google says it is impossible

My own personal experience was overnighting in a EU service station.
Thieves forced the hab door window; reached in; opened the door; stole stuff and left the hab door open when they left.
My wife (a light sleeper) and I slept though all of this, including them taking things from under the drop down bed.
The next morning the local Police were involved and said there was a lot of "gassing" taking place.
Were we "gassed" ? My view is ... probably.

People will respond saying the Police were mistaken / I am telling lies / I am an insurance fraudster / we were both drunk or a combination of these things.

 

[bartman]

I couldn't have put it better than that.
For further fun try typing "gassing" into the search panel on this forum, you'll find submissions from the usual suspects

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I asked chatgpt.

Is it really possible for two normal adults in a European motorhome to be gassed as they sleep, and be robbed of their possessions, and not have any knowledge of it happening until morning?

ChatGPT said:​

This is a common and persistent urban myth, especially in Europe, but the short answer is:

No, there is no credible scientific or medical evidence that motorhome "gassing robberies" actually happen the way they are often described.

---

What the stories usually claim:​

People in campervans or motorhomes wake up to find:

• They've been robbed overnight.
• They felt drowsy, groggy, or had headaches.
• They believe they were gassed through vents or windows to knock them out.

---

What experts and authorities say:​

1. Anesthesiologists and toxicologists:​

• There is no known gasthat can be safely and effectively used to knock people out in an open or poorly sealed space (like a campervan) without:
  • Risking death,
  • Needing precise dosing,
  • And working fast and quietly.
• Gases like chloroform or ether don’t work like in the movies—they take minutes to work and require soaked cloths.
• Medical gases like halothane or sevoflurane require precise equipment, are expensive, and would be extremely risky to use outside of clinical settings.

2. Police and forensic authorities (especially in France, Germany, UK):​

• Have found no forensic evidence of gassing in any reported cases.
• Many cases turn out to be simple break-ins while people were asleep and unaware.
• Others involve alcohol, fatigue, or pre-existing illness that may explain grogginess.

3. Camper and motorhome associations:​

• Acknowledge that robberies happen, especially at rest stops or unsecured areas.
• But do not support the gassing theory due to lack of evidence.

---

So why do people believe it?​

• Victims wake up confused, groggy, and missing valuables—shock + embarrassment can make the gas story more comforting ("We were helpless victims").
• The theory spreads easily online, in forums, or by word-of-mouth.
• It can feel like the only explanation if someone thinks, “I would have woken up otherwise.”

---

So what really happens?​

Most likely scenarios:

• Silent break-ins while the victims are in deep sleep (especially after alcohol or exhaustion).
• Doors left unlocked or windows left cracked.
• Thieves using stealth and targeting only what's accessible without waking people.

---

Practical safety tips:​

• Always lock doors and windows.
• Avoid isolated or unsecured overnight spots.
• Use alarm systems, steering wheel locks, or motion detectors.
• Store valuables out of sight or in hidden safes.

---

Bottom line:​

There is no scientific or forensic basis for the idea that robbers use knockout gas on motorhome sleepers. Most “gassing” claims are better explained by ordinary theft, poor sleep awareness, and post-event confusion.

 

[trevskoda]

I make my own knockout gas, or so the wife tells me.

 

[molly 2]

Can I apologise for commenting on gassing ,sorry

 

[maingate]

This talk about needing tanker loads of gas to subdue people in a motorhome is utter rubbish, usually spoken by people who have no knowledge whatsoever. If you flooded a motorhome with noxious gas, you will kill the people inside. A small percentage of gas mixed with air is enough to render someone adversely affected. If, for instance it was a warm night and the owners had a small fan circulating air, it would be possible to introduce a gaseous substance and let the fan distribute it quite evenly around the vehicle.

 

[merl]

This talk about needing tanker loads of gas to subdue people in a motorhome is utter rubbish, usually spoken by people who have no knowledge whatsoever. If you flooded a motorhome with noxious gas, you will kill the people inside. A small percentage of gas mixed with air is enough to render someone adversely affected. If, for instance it was a warm night and the owners had a small fan circulating air, it would be possible to introduce a gaseous substance and let the fan distribute it quite evenly around the vehicle.

indeed, a good fart can really permeate in our van without the aid of a fan for 'whafting' effect and probably nowhere near a 'Tanker Full' of gas.
Never killed anyone so far though.

 

[maingate]

indeed, a good fart can really permeate in our van without the aid of a fan for 'whafting' effect and probably nowhere near a 'Tanker Full' of gas.
Never killed anyone so far though.

You sound like an educated man. Thankyou for that wise comment.

 

[bartman]

Can I apologise for commenting on gassing ,sorry

No need for you to apologise, I accept full responsibility...... however if we can keep the thread going it could provide a welcome distraction while it's persisting down here in Brittany