Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 11:05
Lester,
Assuming that the fridge is in fact a compressor type (that is yet to be positively established) -
I'd certainly try using that rear cigarette lighter socket, though it's likely to be marginal. First I'd
check that it is in fact turned off unless the ignition key is in the accessories position (same as the one in the dash). If it is, then go for it.
Why marginal? There are voltage losses in any wiring and while the losses may be acceptable for a fridge in the back of of the vehicle, extending beyond that and out to the van may be pushing your luck too far. Secondly - a cigarette socket is pretty unreliable for fridge use; the plug can work its way out to provide a poor connection which heats up and the connection deteriorates further, getting hotter, deteriorating, etc..... Suggest try it and if it looks promising, provide a heavy twin cable connected to the back of that socket through an Anderson plug to the van, thus bypassing the socket itself. (It is important to disconnect the battery while working behind the socket.)
Generally, I believe in fitting fuses at every energy source. There will already be a fuse protecting the wiring to that rear socket however, so it is not essential to fit an extra one.
Final thought - that socket is a very useful place to plug in a worklight. A LED (or other) light fitted with a cigarette lighter plug would be useful around the vehicle and also provide an easy way of checking where power is (or isn't!)
Cheers
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
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