Power to caravan
Submitted: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 16:40
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reilly
I have just purchased a caravan I want to use the 12 v lights in the van off the truck battery of which i have a basic dual system like a boat so do I just put power through the trailer light connections.
I can only see a 240v plug and another which is similar to 240v but bigger earth connected to a fuse box definitely not 12v. By the way its a 94 supreme getaway van.
It seems a silly question but I need to know and will be at a later date puttin in a main 12v battery on the van with a solar panel.
Many thanks Reilly
Reply By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 16:58
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 16:58
Hi Reilly
Best to get a wiring diagram from Supreme.
Mixing 12V and 240V if you don't know what you are doing is dangerous.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
302515
Reply By: Dunaruna - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 18:14
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 18:14
I am a little surprised that Supreme (in 1994) don't have at the very least a rudimentary 12v circuit (apart from the firdge) already fitted, you looked everywhere for a fuse box? Under the bed, inside cupboards? Inside the front boot tucked away in the corner?
AnswerID:
302527
Follow Up By: reilly - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 19:01
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 19:01
Thanks Dunaruna
I have 2 external inputs as for a fuse box yes i do and it appears to be connected to the external plug of which is a H/D version of the 240v and I also have 12v and 240v switches to lights and 1 internal 12vl outlet I will have a look for another fuse box etc.
The trailer lights have flat 7pin plug theres blue wire coming from the vans plug ??? electric brakes which i got mechanical brakes will l
check at my truck outlet if blue is connected I have emailed supreme this arvo for a wiring diagrams.
FollowupID:
568614
Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 18:58
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 18:58
Reilly the vast majority of caravans without a battery simply run the 12volt active (from the fridge) through the 7 pin plug requiring you to run a wire from your dual battery in the tow vehicle. It would be unusual for there not to be a 12 volt fuse block in the van somewhere if there are lighting circuits as
well.
If you intend fitting a battery & solar panel to the van at a later date I'd be running a heavy pair of leads (about 16mm) from the tow vehicle battery to a 50amp Anderson plug then new leads into the van to the 12 volt fuse block.
If not sure of wire & fuse sizing I'd get it installed professionally as it's something you don't want to get wrong.
Cheers Craig.....
AnswerID:
302538
Follow Up By: reilly - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 19:14
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 19:14
Thanks Crackles
Well I got a 3way fridge.
I going through the van for a look.
I'd say My trailer plug hasn't got that active wire which is blue no 5 pin fitted job for tomorrow.
And thanks for the quick reply s from all I didn't expect it.
FollowupID:
568618
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 01:08
Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 01:08
As Dunaruna said in the next reply - pin 2 on your plug that goes in the tug is the 12 V supply to the van. However I am yet to see any fuses, fuse block or barrier terminals in the 12 V supply in a van unless there is a battery system in the van.
PeterD
FollowupID:
568702
Reply By: Dunaruna - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 20:37
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 20:37
No no no. Pin 5 (blue) is your brake magnets, don't play with that.
Pin 2 is what you are looking for, it is the aux pin. Should be a red or pink wire but I've seen all and sundry colors used by van builders.
AnswerID:
302557
Follow Up By: Member - Littleborgy (SA) - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 22:59
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 22:59
Dunaruna,
You're right about the blue wire being the electric brakes & pin 2 being the aux. pin, however, the colour of the wire going to the aux. pin should be a black wire. Red is for the stop lights.
Cheers, Brad
FollowupID:
568689
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 01:11
Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 01:11
What you need now is a good heavy cable from pin 2 in the socket on your tug going to the +ve terminal of your battery (with fuse near the battery of course.)
PeterD
FollowupID:
568703
Follow Up By: reilly - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 07:16
Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 07:16
I am going to wait till supreme contacts me
FollowupID:
568708
Follow Up By: Dunaruna - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 07:43
Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 07:43
Brad,
You are correct, black is designated for pin 2 but in the old days we always used black for reverse (before 'aux' was even thought of). Most van builders use pink these days because a lot of vans have reverse lights now. This necessitates the use of a 12 pin plug. On a 12 pin plug, pink is the standard for 'aux'.
Personally, I prefer the anderson plug scenario.
FollowupID:
568711
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 09:34
Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 09:34
Reilly,
By your description, I would guess both "plugs" are 240 volt.
Are these actually sockets??? (ie female fittings that plugs connect into)
The second one with a bigger earth would be a 15 amp socket which is a normal requirement when connecting to a CP power pole.
The other one may be a 10 amp socket, but this is unusual, unless somebody has installed a "
home grown" connection to plug into a standard 10 amp 240 volt circuit at
home.
The only way of checking is with a multimeter. (continuity tester)
Bill.
AnswerID:
302639
Follow Up By: reilly - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 21:26
Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 21:26
Thats right 2 by 240v outputs female the 15 amp has the extra wide tongue and is connected to a twin fuse box which reads 415v and 15amp. I have looked every where for a 12v can't see any obvious in cupboards etc will there must be something I will have a look under van tomorrow if I get
home in time from work.
FollowupID:
568907