Jayco power from car to fridge
Submitted: Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 22:48
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kingswoodwagon
Hey all,
I have a 2003 Jayco Eagle.
I'm wondering what the 'normal' method of powering the fridge from the vehicle is(for use when driving).
Should I run a 6mm cable (with Anderson plugs) from the car battery - or is there a simpler/better method.
Thanx in advance.
Gav
Reply By: nonon - Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 22:54
Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 22:54
The simpler method is to use the "hotwire" pin on your trailer plug, which Jayco have very kindly wired up to the 12v system in your camper.
Others fuss around with anderson plugs, but I have not found it to be necessary.
AnswerID:
189733
Follow Up By: kingswoodwagon - Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 22:59
Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 22:59
Excuse my ignorance,
would that be a spare pin? i have elec trailer brakes also (using another pin)
Gav
FollowupID:
447217
Follow Up By: nonon - Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:03
Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:03
Yes mate, you should have a seven pin plug, which allows for normal stop/turn/
park lights as
well as trailer brakes AND a 12v feed for accessories. Your Jayco will be wired like this as standard.
Do you have an aux battery in your car?
FollowupID:
447218
Follow Up By: kingswoodwagon - Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:43
Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:43
No, I dont have an aux battery in the car. I dont plan on installing one.
I guess i have to run a lead from my battery to the trailer plug. Am i wasting my time running 6mm cable when the plug is much smaller than that??
Thanx
Gav
FollowupID:
447223
Follow Up By: nonon - Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:52
Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:52
No I don't think you are wasting your time at all. Make sure it is earthed properly and see if you can, or get an auto leccy, to rig up a relay so that it swiches off when the motor is not running.
The fridge in your camper will flatten a battery very quickly. It could even be as quick as while you stop to have lunch if you forget to disconnect and the battery in the car is not very big.
FollowupID:
447225
Follow Up By: kingswoodwagon - Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:55
Friday, Aug 18, 2006 at 23:55
Thanx for your help nonon. Much appreciated.
Gav
FollowupID:
447226
Follow Up By: Old Scalyback & denny - Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 00:13
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 00:13
if you are running the 3way fridge make sure you dont leave it turned on for long while stopped it will flatten the battery very quickly
steve
FollowupID:
447228
Follow Up By: nonon - Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 00:23
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 00:23
OH, and don't forget a fuse or circuit breaker at the battery end. 30 amp should do it.
FollowupID:
447229
Follow Up By: Member - Robert B (VIC) - Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 07:17
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 07:17
A switch mounted on your car dashboard between the car battery and your hotwire gives easy control when you stop for an extended period - you dont have to keep remembering to undo / attach the plug.
This is my setup.
FollowupID:
447232
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 08:36
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 08:36
There is a Caravan Charge Kit for this applicaion. It is aimed at charging the battery in the van but would insure the fridge gets max volts and also protects the car battery from being drained.
Regards Derek.
AnswerID:
189747
Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 09:35
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 09:35
This site is
well worth reading before you start.
In particular, look at 'Electrics - Wiring Woes', and ' Fridges - making them Work'.
Collyn
regards.......................Keith
AnswerID:
189750
Reply By: Gronk - Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 10:19
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 10:19
Fridge or second battery in a camper, same deal, the more volts the better (and amp carrying capacity ) but the basic setups will still work ok ( but not brilliant )
You have to run a wire to the rear plug to charge ( or run a fridge ) so you may as
well run a decent size one and don't forget the basic rule of electricity, what goes up must come back so run the same size back to the battery- earth cable !! A lot of people forget that if you have 50A going to a motor then 50A wants to get back, so if you strangle it ( ie: try to make it find it's way back thru the chassis ) the return resistance goes up and available amps go down. I know this is simple stuff but some people don't understand electricity.
Just running a fridge I wouldn't bother with an anderson plug as the 7pin round plugs ( large ) will take over 30A
I ran a 8mm cable via a fuse and a relay to the plug and put the relay switch on the console so I can have the power going to the camper when ( and if ) needed
AnswerID:
189752