2003 KIA Sedona 2.9D. Does anyone know if there is a 12V feed to the boot area on this car for connecting the split charge relay on the 12S towing connector? I found one in the boot of my Vectra and hoped that the KIA would have the same thing?
Sorry, Don't know if Kia prewire for 12S sockets but
if there's a 12 socket [that switches on with the ignition] in the boot you can pick up off that for your switched feed.
I'd say never trust a cable you haven't routed yourself for the constant 20 amp supply unless you know its up to the job. So i'd run a heavy dury cable via a 20A fuse straight off the battery to be sure.
I support Gareth's view. Any permanent live feed in the boot is unlikely to be capable of carrying the sort of loads required for running a fridge and charging a caravan battery. Better to run one directly from the battery, through a substantial connection and in line fuse. My local trailor specialist recommends 2 x 20 amp cables run in parallel.
As far as rounting the cables goes I'd always go through the bulkhead via an existing grommet using the 'tape the cable to a long thin screwdriver' trick then prise off the trim along the edge of the floor to hide the cable. Once you get started its not too hard to hide a cable. If the Kia's seats all remove i'd pull at least some out. It was very easy on my Voyager like that.
Whilst i'm at it I'd also fit at least one charging socket in the car's boot, either ignition switch or perminant live depending on your preferance.
Hi Gareth - The trailor specialist said if you don't use a thick enough cable the voltage drop can be very significant, to the point where the fridge doesn't work properly. He also advised making use of the spare terminals in the 12S plug and socket to split the load for both the fridge and its earth. I am planning to do this on mine, as I noticed the plug got quite hot when on holiday recently.
Thats very interesting Keith, I've noticed that my terminals look burnt, i'm going to wire my caravan with 'curly leads' soon. when i do that i'll loop two wires round the back of the socket etc to share the load.
I'd also not thought about voltage drop, i'm pretty happy that my cable is man enough, i think its 30A.
Did it in the end but what a nightmare! Had to feed the cable from the battery all the way to the back. All working fine and both earths have a good solid connection