Electric socket - from a clueless woman!

Dago & Mrs D · Post by **Dago & Mrs D** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:50 pm

I know Pippin will sigh deeply and consider me extremely thick, but I don't understand the first thing about electrics other than when you plug something into a socket and turn it on it should work!

Regarding the socket in the back of the Bongo which works a 12v plug when the ignition is on: we have just bought a 240v adaptor for our trip to New Zealand and wondered whether the two pin prong fits the socket which is obviously Japanese. It does. Now the silly question: does this mean that if we use that adapter we can use our 240v 3-pin plug things on that socket

I'm suspecting that the answer is no

Mrs. D

wonkanoby · Post by **wonkanoby** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:09 pm

assuming by adaptor

you actually mean an invertor

that turns 12dc into 240 volta ac

then yes you can

Dago & Mrs D · Post by **Dago & Mrs D** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:14 pm

No, that's the problem, it's just an adaptor - so next stage on I assume it's running an inverter from the adaptor. That would make sense (even to me). Thanks, I told you I was clueless!

Mrs. D

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:47 pm

Mrs D
Would the rear socket in your bongo be a rectangular shaped socket with a flap over it?. I think some Bongos came with an option of a built in inverter combined with a standard 12v cigarette lighter socket. The only problem is that the inverter is 110v, same as the electric hookup on the mazda kitchen. If this is the case I wouldnt start trying to connect anything to it - If this is not the case then ignore my ramblings.

Dago & Mrs D · Post by **Dago & Mrs D** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:52 pm

Madmile - yes that describes it exactly but there is nothing to say on it whether its 12v or 110. I think it's probably best to carry on as we have, that is to leave it alone and not use it!!!! Thanks for the warning.

Mrs. D

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:04 pm

Just noticed that Murphy's '100volt' post covers this- oops

Dago & Mrs D · Post by **Dago & Mrs D** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:17 pm

Just noticed that - great minds, eh? Glad it's not just me who's confused. Think we will steer well clear of that plug!

Mrs. D

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:44 am

The two flat receptacle socket would give out 100V AC if connected up to a Japanese 100V electric hook-up. It would also give out 240V AC if connected somehow to a UK 240V AC hook-up, but that would be dangerous.

Some Bongos appear to have a built-in inverter that converts 12V DC from the battery into 100V AC.

Basically, forget all about the AC outlet.

The adapter you have simply converts one sort of plug-socket combination into a different plug-socket combination.
It does NOT transform voltages.

On the same panel as the two pin socket there is a 12V DC ciggie lighter socket. That has no connection to the adjacent AC outlet.

The 12V DC socket has pathetically thin wires connecting it eventually all the way to the battery under the bonnet. To use it for any serious load without
a] losing too many volts across the wire or
b] burning the wire out would not be wise.

A fuse is after all only a piece of thin wire which is designed to burn out under controlled circumstances (eg in a glass tube)
if too much current passes through it causing it to heat up.

Ours is rewired with much heavier cable.

I too need to get an UK - NZ adapter.

We are off in two weeks - weh hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dago & Mrs D · Post by **Dago & Mrs D** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:48 am

Thanks Pippin! Have a great trip - might see you in Auckland. The cheapest NZ/UK adapter I have come across is at Tescos - does "the whole world" for £4.75. Most others I've seen have been about £6.99.

Mrs. D