Friday, Aug 03, 2001 at 00:00
Thanks fellas for your help. I've since been told that an Engel works quite ok via the standard
cigarette lighter style socket as it does not draw as much as a Chescold. (Again this is second hand info
snd I still have not heard a direct answer from someone who uses a freezer.
My concern is that I already have radios (seperate 3 amp light wiing) and the van brakes/fridge (15amp) oming off
the second battery with independent fuses to the normal loom setup and I guess I can add another heavy
(say 15 amp wire) to run a fridge in the cargo area. It seems to me that this is putting a fair drag on the electrics
of the second battery. I'm assuming that the standard plug in the rear allows power to draw from both batteries
through the standard loom bit I'm concerned that if the
wiring to the rear fitting is say only 6-8 amps and a fridge/freezer
draws too much more I'll burn out the factory
wiring - at least that's the reasoning behind the question?
Whilst common sense would expect this
wiring to allow for the power draw of all portable fridge
freezers it appears at least some vehicle makers may be saving a few cents and installing a token plug that is really only useful
for a light or compressor. The standard factory plug is now only live with the ignition on. I had an isolating switch (same one as the demister)
put in when they wired for the 12 v power to the van. This helps to ensure I turn off the power to the van if I stop for any long period on the road
as the 12v fridge in the would quickly flatten he battery. The manual states the rear socket is suitable only for 12 volt power or 120 watts maximum.
Thanks again, regards and happy touring - Ron H
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