andyroo replied:

sorry i meant when the key is off.

Member - Wim (Qld) replied:

andyroo.

May I suggest you consider running a second outlet to the same area so you have both options available.

Regards

Member - Cruiser (NSW) replied:

Andyroo,

I have an 04 Prado and found that it was easier to run a separate positive and negative wire from the second battery to the back of the vehicle.

I used 8mm wire and went through the firewall on the passengers side and then I removed the necessary internal trim and ran the cables to the back of the vehicle and installed a new plug. Naturally I installed a fuse in the engine compartment just near the battery.

This way the connection is positive at all times.

Cheers,

Cruiser

Member -Signman replied:

If your just starting to wire up extras in the Prado- plan for additional things you may wish to install down the track.
I installed a (6) pack blade type fuse holder with stuff I need when ignition if off:
Fridge / UHF radio / PDA- / Water Tank pump
and with key in accessory position:
Air compressor / Inverter
By planning it all now, it'll make it far tidier and less frustrations later on.
Just a suggestion !!

Notso replied:

If you plan to do this it would be a good safety feature to have a low voltage cut out in the circuit so that you don't flatten your battery.

Crackles replied:

Yes it is possible to rewire but not worth the trouble. Although the plug will run your fridge for a while it is fed by fairly thin wire so with up to .8 of a volt line loss from the battery to the back it will cut out premeturely. Ciggarette plugs are also renowned for vibrating out over rough roads (sometimes burning out) so as it's already been suggested running a seperate pair of larger wires to a heavy duty plug is probably the go.
Cheers Craig.............

RobAck replied:

The cigarette lighter outlets are all controlled from the accessory switch so if you take the ky out there is no power, simple as that.

As has been pointed out cigarette plugs are not able to handle the voltage, can get very hot and pose a fire risk. As well the hotter they get the less voltage they supply. When that happens your fridge will probably stop from lack of electricity.

Best bet is to get a proper outlet run and while you are at it seriousy think about a second battery. Why? Well regardless of fridge type pretty much all of them have a low voltage cutoout at around 11.5 volts or when a battery is getting close to chemically flat. They do this to try and prevent flat batteries of course.

So, if you are going to hardwire from the starting battery then travel with friends and carry jumper leads if you want to bypass the low voltage safety setup.

We use Hella marine screw in fittings for all our power outlets. Why? Well they are solidly made, so not cheap, and they screw together and we have never had one of them come apart. Which is more than I can say for all the other push in type fittings

Regards

RobA

Parksy replied:

Hi Andy,
I live in Perth and would be happy to give you a hand if need be , weather that is just advice or help to install the appropiate wiring . But as some people have metioned it would be prudant to look into a dual battery system with a deep cycle battery. This in turn will let you run a fridge all night and still start the car in the morning..
I hope this helps and let me know your number and I can give you a call .
Cheers
Craig

andyroo replied:

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and Craig thanks for the offer of help. I decided that instead of the cigarette lighter i would just run a set of cables straight through to the back of the battery. Not having to rewire the socket made it alot easier!
I have a dual battery system in my prado so hopefully will all work fine. Going to be heading up to the CSR tomorrow (friday) so hope everything will be all good. Thanks again!

PradoTrev replied:

Hi andyroo

Just had a 2nd 120 ah second battery installed,

Installed because I am not mechanically minded so I went the professional way. Paid a bit but over joyed with the result, top job neat well secured all the fuses and stuff put in.

As for the plugs he ran new wires to the cig out let and at the same time put a line and plug in for a Hella outlet (Fridge) and even heavier cables to run a 1000w inverter of a anderson plug.

All my power needs done in one hit worked out cheaper than pulling everything out twice.

Looking forward to using it on a long trip next week

See ya all at innamincka on Wed night at the pub already booked in for dinner at 7pm.

2 more sleeps.

But yeah do it your self if you know if not pay for it it will work out cheaper in the long run.

Trev