electric plugs Forums

llawnroc

i have got 3 electric plugs in the van!! and was told by the privious owner that they were for 240v and not 12v is this usuall? and if i want to plug something 12v in do i use the cigar lighter!!! very much a beginner!!!!

Anonymous

If they're the standard 3-pin plugs like you have at home, they should be wired to the mains (unless the previous ownwer was very odd!)

You'll need some mains from hookup, generator or invertor though.

Malc

Hi,
There is normally a 2 pin plug fitted to most vans for 12 v. If not its a very easy project to wire from the battery to a socket (with a fuse of course) use 4mm wire if you can , then if your TV is low voltage protected,(assuming you use one in the van on 12v) it will save a lot of bother later.
Regards Malc

llawnroc

thanks for the info!! yes the plugs are like at home!!, so does that mean i can only use them when i am hooked up and there is no electric coming from them if not!! cant see any other sort of plugs and yes whould like to have one running of the leisure battery, but have looked at it and it seems to be sealed!!! where would i take the wires from!! remember this is all new to me!! so help!!!!

Malc

The plugs you mention are 3 pin sockets. They will only work when hooked up to the mains.
The battery will have posts on it one positive one negative, usually with clamps on the posts, the clamps will have a screw or bolt through them with the connector wires attached. They may be covered by a dust/crap cover, just lift the plastic/rubber cover to expose them. You can attach a further set of wires to them, dont forget a fuse in line for safety/fire risk sake!
Malc

Denise

[quote:7f5cdc01ec="malc"]You can attach a further set of wires to them, dont forget a fuse in line for safety/fire risk sake!
[/quote:7f5cdc01ec]

LLAWNROC, will you ask how to attach the wires, and what 'a fuse in line' means, or shall I? Confused

Malc

Normally, the wires are attached to the clamps by a bolt, you can get small ring crimps to attach the wires to the rings, grip them with a pair of side cutters (pliers) to squash the hollow piece where the wire fits. A fuse inline is exactly what it says, use the positive wire and insert a fuse holder with a fuse of the correct value depending on what you connect to the socket, ie TV etc approx. 30amp in the line. Its not a good idea to use the cigar lighter as wires trail all over and there is a danger of in extreme cases of overheating depending on load. Any reasonable handyman/woman should be able to give practical guidance on the assenbly of the above. An auto electrician would be excellent, perhaps they would assemble the loom for you to fit!
Regards Malc

keng

Can't really add to anything that's already posted but I've always found that the sort of car accessory shop that sells radios/alarms etc always have a great selection of everything auto electrical and usually someone in store who knows the spec and fitting instructions for 'everything'.

Before I went on hols this year I did exactly as malc suggested as I wanted to run a separate 12v cooler. Got everything made up with lengths of wire, all the fiddly bits and instructions how to fit an extra 12v permanent plug. Got a replacement 'proper' plug fitted on the cooler instead of the poor quality cigar lighter type.

The only difference with mine and going to an auto spark, was the price - only paid for the bits. Wink