Leisure batteries and 12v systems

[chris_374564940]

I have a 1983 Piper 1200 CT that I was given and would like to fit a battery to it eabling the lights and fridge to work without mains/gas, especially the fridge for cooling on the move. I can see where the battery should fit (in front compartment with gas bottles) but having only basic knowledge of electrics, I am not sure of how to wire it up.

I think that previous owners might have had one as there is a wire into the box but I haven't the foggiest on how to connect it all up properly. I have 12s electrics on my towcarand can trace the cables into the van and under one of the front seats on the cooker/fridge side, its from there that I get lost!

Do I need to wire in any special fuses or anything? or is it just a case of following the colour coding on the grey 12s cable coming into the van and connecting the battery in this circuit?

Any help is much appreciated, this is my firat van and have fixed running light and cosmetic faults, just after sorting this so I can take the wife, kids and dog for our first holiday in it!

Thanks

Chris

 

[landypete]

HI chris i may be wrong but i have read some were that you cant have battery in the same locker as gas bottles i hope some one comes along and can give more advice but when you get it sorted hope you and family enjoy it

peter

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi,

I hope it is obvious that it is unwise to have electrical equipment stored or used in areas for gas bottles. besides which these day it is against gas and electrical regulations.

By your own admission you have limited knowledge of the subject, and that probably also extends to the regulations, so I strongly advise you arrange to have a competent electrical fitter review your caravan and to advise and quote to do the proper job for you.

 

[chris_374564940]

Thanks Peter. It would make sense because of the gas given off during charging, and sparks and gas etc etc. I only say it because there is a very battery shaped slot in the compartment on the a frame at the front.

I could probably do without the battery but just be nice to have the fridge cooling food on the way to the site rather than lugging along a cool box aswell.

Thanks again, and the family can't wait to go away in it!!

 

[chris_374564940]

Hi,

I hope it is obvious that it is unwise to have electrical equipment stored or used in areas for gas bottles. besides which these day it is against gas and electrical regulations.

By your own admission you have limited knowledge of the subject, and that probably also extends to the regulations, so I strongly advise you arrange to have a competent electrical fitter review your caravan and to advise and quote to do the proper job for you.

This was my next port of call, the old man is a spark so not too hard in that respect.

The only reason I say is because the compartment has a battery shaped slot in front of the two gas bottle slots, maybe its because it is an 80's design and the regs were different then? as you said, I am not too knowlegable in that area.

Thanks for the adice.

 

[xtrailman]

chris

The caravan does not normally, on any caravan i have had, cool the fridge.

You need to cool the fridge via the cars 12n socket, the grey one.

Or cool the fridge at home on a mains hook up, travel to site, then hopefully the fridge will have remained cool during the journey.

On arrival at the site, use gas to cool or mains hook up.

I would not advise travelling while cooling on gas.

 

[chris_374564940]

Does this mean the fridge should run when connected to the car through the towing electrics, and there is no need for a battery?

 

[landypete]

Do you have any mobile auto sparkys near to were you live or caravan engs who could advice you or poss do the job ?

 

[landypete]

your fridge will work on the move via the grey lead but only when tow car engine is running

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Chris,

Yes the Regs have changed since the 1980s, You should not fit any electrical prts in the gas bottle locker these days.

The normal caravan fridge will run on Gas, Mains or 12V. but because the 12v element uses a lot of current, it should never be connected to the caravan battery as it would flatten it in a matter of hours. The 12V system on the fridge is designed to be powered by the tow car only when its engine is running.

 

[chris_374564940]

Excellent, thanks for all your help, its cleared up a few things. I tried fridge briefly while connected to car but prob wasnt long enough for it to cool as been stood for a while.

Thanks again everyone, off to book our first site now!!

 

[chris_374564940]

Just to clear this up all together, any idea on which way switches have to be on fridge for it to work in car or just both on? There is a red and a black one both with on/off sides, and it says 12/240 above them?

Sorry to keep on at this one.

Chris

 

[Woody3]

chris

The caravan does not normally, on any caravan i have had, cool the fridge.

You need to cool the fridge via the cars 12n socket, the grey one.

Or cool the fridge at home on a mains hook up, travel to site, then hopefully the fridge will have remained cool during the journey.

On arrival at the site, use gas to cool or mains hook up.

I would not advise travelling while cooling on gas.

For the record - 12S - s being slate