I've just bought an external socket which has both 240 V and 12 V outlets. The wiring of the 240 V is straighforward enough, but I'm not au fait with 12 V electrics. can I just take a spur off the fridge as I would with a domestic ring main circuit, or, as 12 V applicances are not fused, do I need to run the cable back to the consumer unit and protect it there with a dedicated fuse (assuming I have a spare fuse socket).
Wiring 12 V external socket
- Thread starter CousinJack
- Start date
- Mar 10, 2006
- 3,274
- 47
- 20,685
Jack
The safest way is to run back to the 12v fuse box, use a spare fuse, sometimes as on my bailey i have a fuse marked alarm, this wire goes to an empty connector.
Failing that you can loop off another circuit, maybe the internal 12v socket, this is usually a 10a fuse, so you MUST use at least 10amp rated cable, i would recommend 15amp, or 20amp.
This has the effect of a safty margin, and reduces voltage drop.
Commonsense has to be used, your total load on your 12v sockets cannot exceed the 10amp rating of the fuse.
The safest way is to run back to the 12v fuse box, use a spare fuse, sometimes as on my bailey i have a fuse marked alarm, this wire goes to an empty connector.
Failing that you can loop off another circuit, maybe the internal 12v socket, this is usually a 10a fuse, so you MUST use at least 10amp rated cable, i would recommend 15amp, or 20amp.
This has the effect of a safty margin, and reduces voltage drop.
Commonsense has to be used, your total load on your 12v sockets cannot exceed the 10amp rating of the fuse.
You need to make sure that the polarity is correct on the 12V or equipment could be damaged
The centre of the cigar socket is +ve
If you use the fridge 12V it won't be live except when you are towing unless it is later fridge with electronic controls whent it will have 2 12V supplies
Its better to follow the sdvice above----and observe polarity
The centre of the cigar socket is +ve
If you use the fridge 12V it won't be live except when you are towing unless it is later fridge with electronic controls whent it will have 2 12V supplies
Its better to follow the sdvice above----and observe polarity
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