How to wire an extra 12v socket from LB

[Heart of Midlothian]

I want to do this to allow an extra 12v outlet in the back. I know about 12v extensions but I want to run it independently from the leisure battery.

I had problems with my leisure battery whilst the van was in getting part converted and the converter took a feed straight form the LB to power the sinks water pump. This feed was fused where it was connected to the LB (iam after a similar setup).

I am after advice on the following;

1) Where can I purchase the wire for the job and what is recommended (just for a cool box, but may upgrade to a waeco compressor in the future).

2) Where can I get the connectors to attach the feed to the LB (I would like one with an inline fuse like what’s already there & what fuse rating would be suggested?).

3) Where would I buy a suitable 12 socket or is it and idea to rewire one of the 3 way 12v sockets that are readily available?

4) Or are there kits available online to do this as I haven't managed to source any from fleaby or the like?

Thanks for your help.

[Velocette]

I want to do this to allow an extra 12v outlet in the back. I know about 12v extensions but I want to run it independently from the leisure battery.

I had problems with my leisure battery whilst the van was in getting part converted and the converter took a feed straight form the LB to power the sinks water pump. This feed was fused where it was connected to the LB (iam after a similar setup).

I am after advice on the following;

1) Where can I purchase the wire for the job and what is recommended (just for a cool box, but may upgrade to a waeco compressor in the future).

2) Where can I get the connectors to attach the feed to the LB (I would like one with an inline fuse like what’s already there & what fuse rating would be suggested?).

You can buy everyting you need in Maplins were you can look at the stuff properly or try Vehicle Wiring Products if buying off line. Don't forget some sort of protection for the wires, tubular plastic is best you can get it split or plain.

3) Where would I buy a suitable 12 socket or is it and idea to rewire one of the 3 way 12v sockets that are readily available?

4) Or are there kits available online to do this as I haven't managed to source any from fleaby or the like?

Thanks for your help.

[g8dhe]

There are quite a few supplies on-line I use this one http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... mepage.php they should be able to do everything you want. Running a cool box is going to take a heck of a load from a L/B be warned, without the engine running you will only have a few hours of use before the battery is well discharged. Also over rate the wiring from the battery to the rear as you are trying to reduce the voltage drop as much as possible some thing like 28/0.30mm, 2mm2, 25amp. Make sure any crimp joints are done with an adequate ratchet style tool not a simple squeeze style, its worth spending a few pounds to get a decent tool that will last and do a good joint i.e. the DV5 on this page rather then the AM2 http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... crimps.php

[sdsk]

There's a cigarette lighter socket fitted as standard by the rear wheel arch on the passenger side in our bongo.
Have a check there first.

[helen&tony]

Hi Geoff
Do you have a supplier like that who will post / courier to Europe?...I've been looking for days for heat-seal crimps. All i can find is butt-joints!....Internet searches over here are a problem...even using google UK...
I have a job on re-wiring a towbar (wired by an expert ), and the ding-dong who wired it used SCOTCHLOCKS, which are exposed to the open air...I wonder if they were trained at the local school for idiots (in the UK, i'm sad to say)
Cheers
Helen

[g8dhe]

They appear to export items OK see there Export page http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... export.php
I tend to use CPC/Farnell, RS for most other bits but vehicle type stuff they seem to have a good range and have always delivered rapidly without errors, so I haven't really investigated other suppliers.

They do do the heat seal crimps http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... lterms.php

[helen&tony]

Hi Geoff..
Thanks...i only saw a page with UK / Highlands / islands, so they do export!
Yes...i saw the crimps...great!
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

There's a cigarette lighter socket fitted as standard by the rear wheel arch on the passenger side in our bongo.
Have a check there first.

The wiring that runs to that socket is very flimsy and if you try to power anything with a significant load (such as a compressor fridge on start up), it just won't supply the current you need. An alternative would be retain the socket and just run a new cable rated at say 20/25 amp to the leisure battery with a 10 amp fuse at the battery end.

[winchman]

I used one of these, excellent quality
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATERPROOF-12 ... 5ad6a11206

[billymansell]

Assuming you haven't used them, can you connect power sockets to the two extra wires on the Willinton kit that some use for connecting the electric blinds and whatnot?

[Velocette]

As an aside, I am thinking of installing a DIN socket, also known as John Dere socket for when I get a compressor fridge. They are more robust and vibration proof than a cigaette lighter socket and you can get universal plugs that fit DIN or cigar lighter sockets and all sorts of adaptors and cables.

[g8dhe]

The DIN sockets are to be preferred as they were designed for connecting power (rather than lighting fags), however be warned that some of the cheaper plugs on devices don't always fit very well so its worth planning to change all the plugs on things you by buy to proper DIN Plugs otherwise you end up with bad connections/hot plugs etc.

[Diplomat]

I use Cannon XLR 3 pin connectors for 12v feeds.

Although they are really audio connectors they can carry 20 Amps.

I wire them with negative to the pin conventionally used as the audio earth. This is a longer pin and is thus the first to mate, meaning that the current doesn't try and find a less suitable earth return instead.


Frank