12V Plug Always On

[CruiserItaly Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close CruiserItaly]

Hi All,

Hope there is not a thread about this, I loooked for it in the Electrical section, there was just a short one.

Car: Toyota Land Cruiser (Prado) Executive Plus (Kakadu in Australia)

Need a little help, there is an easy way to make one of the 12V plugs or the inverter "always on"?
I mean also when the car is off.
I would like to connect my Waeco fridge, and to live it always on. I am becoming crazy, it seems impossible to do it, I could not find any solution in the owners manual, and also here.
I was used with the Grand Cherokee, and the rear 12V plug was always on.

Hope you can help me, thanks from Italy

Piero

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

Best option is to install a second battery and run a designated 12v socket for your fridge and extra ones for phones, iPad etc. You'd have to run a separate feed direct to your start battery to have constant 12v but for running a fridge I would advise a second battery.

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

as Brains indicated, not advisable if connected to the main battery... new supply needs to be run from a second battery to have a constant 12V socket or constantly operating inverter.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

I agree, second battery on its own tray under the bonnet is the best solution. From there you run a cable to the back and this will run your fridge. The main battery and second battery or auxiliary battery typically is connected via an isolator so that the main battery is not drained by the fridge.

I guess here in Australia, they way the fridges are used here we have worked out that its too easy too drain your main battery. Then you are stuck and cannot start your car.

Do you run your fridge off the inverter at 240V ?

Another solution for you might be the fitting of a second battery in the back of vehicle. Like the Weaco powerpack, there is others that maybe better
http://www.waeco.com.au/products5.as...&subCatId2=127

Make sure its charged before you go on a trip and when car is running charge it with a battery charger that doesn`t not exceed the 10A supply . A small 240V to 12v dc charger plugged into the inverter might be all you need to top up the waeco power pack while driving, when car is stopped, the fridge will run off the powerpack.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

As above best option is a dual battery system but if your determined
to run off the cranking battery and your vehicle is wired the same as an
Australian version you will find it has a relay that turns the accessory
power on and off, it should be a simple matter to remove the relay and
place a link in its place. You can make a link using a couple of spade
terminals a bit of wire.

Should be a simple job for a Auto Elect.

Cheers
LeighW