Connecting a charger to interior lighting circuit ?

[Stefvan]

Hi
I would like to wire in a small charger next to this interior light inside my T3. The lights are wired to the leisure batteries so are "always on". Could anyone advise me on whether this is safe, and whether I would need to uprate the interior lighting fuse. And If possible, let me know where to actually wire it ? I don't understand why there are a pair of wires coming to, and leading from, the light.. sorry , auto electric relative numpty ! I have a crimper and loads of push connectors, and a multimeter


thanks in advance

Stefvan

[cosmicsheep]

You should run a seperate wire, from your your leisure fusebox, with a separate fuse for your charger. Using the lighting circuit could result in overloading, blowing your lighting fuse, or even melting the cables.

CosmicSheep

[Oldiebut goodie]

You don't just use an uprated fuse on a circuit - sure recipe for a fire. A fuse is rated for the cable.

Run a separate circuit for charging using suitably rated cable and fuse for your charger. If you don't understand the lighting circuit as it is I suggest that you leave well alone. (You don't want the interior light on whilst charging do you?)

[California Dreamin]

The red positive 'feed wires' loop to both lights, the brown earth wires connect to the door switches ready to 'ground' to the car body when the doors open.
I agree that you need to create a seperate circuit fused close to the positive feed. When you say charger is this 12volts? like a USB cigarette lighter adapter for hand held games/Sat Nav charging etc?

Obviously a CAR battery charger is MAINS operated and would need connecting to a mains circuit and hookup lead.

Martin

[Stefvan]

Thanks for your replies

The red positive 'feed wires' loop to both lights, the brown earth wires connect to the door switches ready to 'ground' to the car body when the doors open.
I agree that you need to create a seperate circuit fused close to the positive feed. When you say charger is this 12volts? like a USB cigarette lighter adapter for hand held games/Sat Nav charging etc?

Obviously a CAR battery charger is MAINS operated and would need connecting to a mains circuit and hookup lead.

Martin

Yes of course, forgot about the dual switch (on permanently, on/off with the door switch)
Yes its exactly that, a small usb type charger.
I have a fused 12V extension under the r+r for the same thing, so I will split the feed and run a separate wire up to the bunk area. Its a pain to run wiring up there, I was just hoping I could tap into 12V that is already there and save myself the trouble.

[California Dreamin]

Just remember that the adapter still draws a small amount of current even if it's not plugged into the consumer. This is not an issue short term but might flatten the battery if parked up for a number of few weeks.

Martin