Hi All - installing a Prodigy this weekend in preparation for a Lake Eyre trip with a camper in July. I want to install a "HOTWIRE" to run the camper fridge from a standard 7 pin trailer plug but cant find any detail on which pin to connect to. Can someone point me in the right direction and or give me some install tips. I have an OEM towbar and standard trailer wiring, Ive found the loose blue wire in the jack space for the brake circuit and figured I'd run Hotwire at :| the same time - Helpppp? :| :?
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Hotwire Installation Help
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Use the reverse pin http://campertrailers.org/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm
That said the voltage drop may be too much to run the fridge, I'd run a seperate Anderson plug.[url=http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=12264]My Prado[/url]
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Re: Trailer wiring
This site gives details of many variations of plugs.
http://www.campertrailers.org/trailer_w ... iagram.htm
I have had a 7 pin flat and used the reverse wire to power the caravan fridge.
I now have a twelve pin flat to add a battery monitoring circuit for brake away brakes.White GXL Auto D4D 1/08 Option Pack 1
Tow bar, Brake controller, dual battery, ORS fridge slide and home made shelves not finished too busy traveling. Coil Rite Air suspension helpers. Rhino bars, Icom 440 UHF CB
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
thanks fellas - i'll try running a 25amp wire straight from the battery via a breaker - hopefully the voltage drop wont be too much - the camper I'm hiring doesnt have an anderson plug but will probably go that way when I get my own - thanks again12/2007 VX D4D Auto - Silver Ash
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Hi Viper
Best not to use a trailer plug for a fridge connection.
Under voltage can do all sorts of damage to an expensive 12 volt fridge.
Best to get the highest possible voltage and current flow possible to the fridge.
Large cross sectional area conductor and appropriate connector (anderson plug) will give you the best performance and reliability.[size=2][b]2009 GXL D4D Auto[/b]
- A white one - Cooper STs all round - Sandgrabba floor mats - ARB Sahara Bar - Rola roof bars - Stebel compact truck horn - Tekonsha P3 brake controller - Couplertec electronic rustproofing - ARB Recovery bag and gear[/size]
[url=http://www.fuelly.com/driver/GDSPrado/prado][img]http://www.fuelly.com/smallsig-metric/48415.png[/img][/url]
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
as GDS has said.
becareful as too lower voltage will damage electric motor rather quickly.
perhaps run another wire zip tied to trailer for fridge.
the cost of the wire and fittings will save you $$ repairing fridge motor[url=http://www.fuelly.com/driver/damonat/prado][img]http://www.fuelly.com/smallsig-metric/50578.png[/img][/url]
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Plus having the anderson type plug located at the rear also allows the use of other accessories such as compressors, rattle guns, etc without the need to pop the bonnet.
My old prado had the live wire feed through the trailer loom to the fridge in my Jayco outback Swan. The loom melted one day up around the Gibb River. I ended up running a battery from inside the van and hooked it up via the anderson plug fitting. Never had any problems after that.Dave
Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Thanks All - 25A hotwire run straight from the battery thru a breaker to pin 2 at this stage - will do the anderson plug if we decide to buy our own camper. All the new Jayco campers Ive been looking at only have the standard 7 pin connection. Really pleased with the Prodigy - perfect fit into the ashtray slot - didnt even need to drill12/2007 VX D4D Auto - Silver Ash
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Originally posted by viperAll the new Jayco campers Ive been looking at only have the standard 7 pin connection.
The Prado already had a 6mm cable running to the 7 pin plug, with a good earth, but it just lost it thru the plug
Went the Anderson plug, ran another 6mm cable, and no probs. Bit of wiring on the camper as well, running 6mm cable to the J Box, and a good Earth, and cold beer guarenteed
Now run 1 x Anderson to Fridge, and Engel, while 2nd Anderson plug is to on board Batteries.
Cheers
Daz
2004 TD GXL Auto Prado
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Guys,
I'm about to install Prodigy Controller, 12 pin trailer connector and Anderson plug. I am doing the 12 pin connector to run power and lights through the one plug to the camper but I'm a bit worried about the voltage draw to run the fridge and charge the battery. Will this set up do the same as an anderson plug. All the wiring will be as per anderson plug set up so I'm thinking it will. Can anyone please confirm. Cheers.
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Originally posted by picoGuys,
I'm about to install Prodigy Controller, 12 pin trailer connector and Anderson plug. I am doing the 12 pin connector to run power and lights through the one plug to the camper but I'm a bit worried about the voltage draw to run the fridge and charge the battery. Will this set up do the same as an anderson plug. All the wiring will be as per anderson plug set up so I'm thinking it will. Can anyone please confirm. Cheers.
Below is simplified formula to calculate the minimum cross sectional area of the cable required to achieve approximately 3% voltage drop in a 12V application.
Cross section size of wire S = L x I x 0.05
S = cross sectional area of cable in mm2 (Note: most manufacturers of automotive cable quote the size of the cable in mm or B&S you will need to look up the equivalent cable).
L = cable length in metres
I = current in amps
So for your application, assuming a max current of 25Amps and 8m of cable from alternator to camper battery, gives a cable size of:
S = 8 x 25 x 0.05
S = 10mm2 (it is possible to purcase 10mm2 cable or 6B&S (which is 14mm2)
You will not be able to terminate 10mm2 cable to a 12 pin connector. Hence the need for an Anderson plug.
It is possible to use smaller gauge cable through a 12 pin plug but the voltage drop from will be increase and the charging of the battery and performance of the fridge will be compromised.
Note: I have only focused on the voltage drop and not the current carrying capacity of the cable, as in most 12V power applications a cable that satisfies the voltage drop requirements is more than capable a meeting the current carrying capacity needs. But you should also check the current carry capacity of the cable and install an appropriate size fuse.
Also note that the cable on the trailer, from the plug to the battery needs to match that used from the alternator/battery to the plug (you will notice in the calculation the 8m is from alternator to camper battery). Many people make the mistake of installing appropriately sized cable in the car but not on the trailer. Don't assume the camper manufacturer will have installed an appropriately sized cable.
LeachyEX-Prado Owner
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Re: Hotwire Installation Help
Got a question for you here.
I have an anderson plug straight off the second battery via a BIG cable run to the back of the prado.... nice.
Got a jayco offroad dove that has a dometic fridge wired so that it is powered via 12v through the 7 pin plug.
Do I just use the plug as the camper manufacturer has it wired? Or should I try and take it from the anderson plug somehow?
I already have the anderson plug going to the 3rd battery in the camper, but have been told if i wire straight to the fridge the current draw of the fridge (because it will take more than it needs) will flatten the camper battery before it can be charged.
Any thoughts.2005 VX Turbo Diesel + a heap of add-ons.
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