Page 1 of 1
can i wire my fridge up like this?
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 20:27
by sheffieldcoljules
fitted the fridge......now can i wire the 12v to one of the may cig lighters fitted in the van? also can i wire the plug for the 240, direct into a socket for hooky up when im at campsites?
Will be a while before i can afford to fit the bits for the gas connection.
cheers
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 20:39
by sherlock
I'm not 100% SURE ABOUT THIS BUT i THINK THAT IF YOU WIRED YOUR FRIDGE UP TO THE CIGGY LIGHTER THE BATTERY WOULD die very quick.
Sorry about caps it was locked. could,nt be arsed to change it.
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 20:56
by sheffieldcoljules
sherlock wrote:I'm not 100% SURE ABOUT THIS BUT i THINK THAT IF YOU WIRED YOUR FRIDGE UP TO THE CIGGY LIGHTER THE BATTERY WOULD die very quick.
Sorry about caps it was locked. could,nt be arsed to change it.
why would that be? its the same 12 v as direct from the battery terminals...i have a spare end so it would be cheapest and easiest.
no probs...im deaf anyway

Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 20:56
by T'Onion
You could but only put the cig socket in when you running and take it out before you stop its not good practice but would do as a temp thing , like i told you Jules , your leisure system need sorting , with relays etc
As for 240 , put a plug on the end of the cable and make sure the fuse is of the correct size and plug it into one of the sockets ,
BTW have you seeen the interiors for sale in the classies
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 20:56
by amazingdave
Hiya,
Can't remember how many amps the fridge draws, but I think it's about 8 amps, Which equates to about 3 hours on a 60 Ah starting battery before it starts to damage the battery....
The fridge should be connected via a relay that only connects the fridge to the 12v supply when the alternator is charging so that the fridge doesn't draw the battery down. It helps if you use cool blocks to pre chill the fridge before you go as the 12v cooling is fairly poor on many fridges.
Then switch to gas or 240v as soon as you get to your destination...
dave
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 21:01
by Mocki
as i told you at the weekend, a cig lighter socket is NOT a aux power outlet, its designed to supply 5amps for 1 min , not 10 amps for hours....
its not safe, the plugs fit loosely, and loose connections get hot, hot connections are dangerous, spend £3 on a relay, and save all the hassle and danger.......
if you must use a plug and socket arangement, use a "hella" plug and socket, rated at 20amps.....which are more expensive than a relay!
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 21:06
by sheffieldcoljules
T'Onion wrote:You could but only put the cig socket in when you running and take it out before you stop its not good practice but would do as a temp thing , like i told you Jules , your leisure system need sorting , with relays etc
As for 240 , put a plug on the end of the cable and make sure the fuse is of the correct size and plug it into one of the sockets ,
BTW have you seeen the interiors for sale in the classies
yeah its down to cash....or lack of it. i havent been paid for the job in italy yet and i wont until i leave in 3 weeks, so at the moment, its doing the van with what i have and from freecycle...you wouldnt belive what i used for storage and a little table!!!
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 21:16
by sheffieldcoljules
Mocki wrote:as i told you at the weekend, a cig lighter socket is NOT a aux power outlet, its designed to supply 5amps for 1 min , not 10 amps for hours....
its not safe, the plugs fit loosely, and loose connections get hot, hot connections are dangerous, spend £3 on a relay, and save all the hassle and danger.......
if you must use a plug and socket arangement, use a "hella" plug and socket, rated at 20amps.....which are more expensive than a relay!
ah, cant remember you telling me, but my memory is a nightmare...i had to give a statement to the cops yesterday, 30min after it happend and i couldnt remember what the guy said abusing people..not a clue
ok wont use the cig lighter sockets...not a good idea
ta
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 21:19
by Mocki
azll you need is a 20amp auto relay, the sort that you use to wire up spot lights,or driving lights, and a few crimp connetor spades, less than a fiver
havent you got one in a box of tat?
free from the scrappy if ya turn ups are big enough!
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 21:22
by sheffieldcoljules
amazingdave wrote:Hiya,
Can't remember how many amps the fridge draws, but I think it's about 8 amps, Which equates to about 3 hours on a 60 Ah starting battery before it starts to damage the battery....
The fridge should be connected via a relay that only connects the fridge to the 12v supply when the alternator is charging so that the fridge doesn't draw the battery down. It helps if you use cool blocks to pre chill the fridge before you go as the 12v cooling is fairly poor on many fridges.
Then switch to gas or 240v as soon as you get to your destination...
dave
hey
i do have a leisure battery, but a complete mish mash of wiring...i have to change keys to charge that when im driving
i had heard people pre cool the fridge when setting off...
trouble is, in Germany and Italy etc it gets damn hot....so i need the fridge to keep the vodka and energy cold!!!
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 21:31
by kevtherev
I put a frozen two litre pop bottle in mine without using the 12v... lasts for hours and hours
Posted: 09 Apr 2008, 21:43
by sheffieldcoljules
kevtherev wrote:I put a frozen two litre pop bottle in mine without using the 12v... lasts for hours and hours
2 problems...
1 where the hell do i put my vodka!!!
2 if i did that as you said...would have defrosted long before i got to Berlin or Milan
In my cars, i had to use German BASF coolant, cos even the normal mix here, last year overheated the bimmer when i was in Cottbus, god it was hot....never been to Italy driving so not sure of the mixture for the T3 and if i should alter it a little