circuit breaker
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 15:52
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avidcamper
When towing a camper with an anderson plug attached to the tow vehicle, is it necessary to have the circuit breaker in the trailer switched on or off??
We have just purchased a second-hand Goldstream Crown camper, and the (brief) instructions that accompanied the trailer regarding set-up and pack-down indicate that the circuit breaker should be switched off prior to packing down (and then travelling, obviously). Is this correct?
Cheers,
avidcamper
Reply By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 16:10
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 16:10
If it's between the battery and the anderson plug I would have thought it should be on, otherwise the battery would not get charged.
If it's between the battery and the 12v outlets then it's probably a good precaution.
AnswerID:
465666
Follow Up By: racinrob - Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 18:16
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 18:16
My understanding is that if you turn the circuit breaker in your 'van off your fridge can't run on 12v while you're travelling ???
racinrob
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 22:30
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 22:30
I would have thought so too - that is how my camper van is set up, however my brother says that the 12v 3 way in the should not be connected to the van battery but only powered direct via the anderson plug to the car when being towed.
Not sure what is correct - but cannot see why it cannot be connected to the battery which is being charged by the car.
Garry
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Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, Sep 22, 2011 at 06:33
Thursday, Sep 22, 2011 at 06:33
Garry
Your brother is right. The fridge should run on 12v via the anderson plug from the car.
Thats how a jayco dealer told us to do it, the in house battery is normally for lights and maybe a 12v tv etc.
FollowupID:
739738
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 18:53
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 at 18:53
It would depend on the setup for your particular camper.
Generally, circuit breakers are present to protect and isolate the 12 volt circuits in your camper. If the breaker is left open, any short circuit, or lights, etc. left on may cause problems.
Our Camp-o-matic has separate fuses for each 12 volt circuit and separate master switches for fridge and 12 volt circuits for lights and 12 volt plugs.
It is recommended the 12 volt plug outlets and light circuits be isolated while travelling. The fridge circuit can be left live.
The connection from the vehicle, via an anderson plug is also fused but is not isolated when connected to the vehicle. Thius enables camper battery charging via the vehicle alternator while travelling, or via a 12 volt charger at other times, as desired.
AnswerID:
465677
Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, Sep 22, 2011 at 06:35
Thursday, Sep 22, 2011 at 06:35
Bill
You said it so much better, and it's easily understood.
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