Wiring to run caravan

[MarkAW Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MarkAW]

Hi All

Wondering what people have done regarding powering their caravan fridge.

In my Pajero I ran cable from Aux battery to the 12 pin plug at the rear and hooked that up to caravan to run 3 way fridge...never had a problem as this was just charged via VSR

In the new Prado i have a BCDC 1225d i installed to charge Aux battery.

Going to run a wire to the 12 pin to run the caravan fridge

Not sure i should run it from the Aux battery as the BCDC will only push out 25 amps.....3 way may draw 15 amps or so......so still should be enough

Or run it from the main battery which is getting 140 amps or so from the alternator

What have others done?

Thanks

[money_killer Member Find all posts View Profile Close money_killer]

run it from the aux batt so your main starter batt can never go flat that is the purpose.

[MarkAW Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MarkAW]

I called redarc they say run from main as my original thoughts about the bcdc putting out 25 amps only vs higher alternator output.

Either way I run through vsr to the caravan so cuts off at 12.7 volts so either battery doesn't go flat.

Just not sure the bcdc has enough output, in theory it should but running a fridge in the back of the car and the caravan 3 way will be drawing close to 20 amps together I reckon so the aux is only getting 5 amps or so.

Any real world experience?

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

Not sure if my previous post appears as it shows "Unapproved". But I wrote

Fit a redarc sb1 solenoid or a auxillary powered relay and wire from main battery to the redarc solenoid or relay and then onto the anderson at rear for van. The van 3 way fridge will draw up to 15A depending on model so best to only run if engine is running but the SB1 will disconnect when main voltage drops or the relay will turn off with ignition. As your bcdc only puts out 25A if you are running a fridge in car then it doesnt leave much to keep second battery charged. When I wired up my prado years ago I used 25mm2 to a 150A anderson plug but Ive also tapped of that feed for rear outlets for fridges. Alko do a good writeup on how to go about it.

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

Alko write up on adding anderson for caravan. https://www.withoutahitch.com.au/car...anderson-plug/

My setup now is similar to what you are doing, VSR from main to second battery ( 120Ahr lead acid deep cycle). 25mm2 twin run from second main battery through 100A fuse to rear anderson where it splits off with a 10mm2 twin run into rear of cab to a DCDC which then along with solar charges 2 x 80AHr AGM's for outlets for 2 fridges in back of prado.

The van plugs into rear anderson and supplies another DCDC for caravan 120AHr AGM, the breakaway unit and the 3 way fridge. There is a motion switch fitted to the supply for the fridge so it only runs when van is in motion , this stops battery being drained if motor not running. DCDC in van also has 300w solar on roof.

In reality I could probably do away with the deep cycle under bonnet as the 160AHr of agms will run the fridges no problems as connected to the DCDC is a 250W solar panel on roof rack but system works so have left it as it is.
Fitted the panel and extra AGMs as daughter used to take prado away for musters and I didnt want her to run motor to keep batteries up.

[MarkAW Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MarkAW]

Ive gone through 2 motion sensing fridge switchs in the van but I think they don't like vibration of corrugated roads so given up on them.
I agree the 25 amp output of bcdc doesn't leave alot to keep the aux charged.
Vsr off the main sounds the way to go

[MarkAW Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MarkAW]

So replacing the standard 7 pin with a 12 pin plug. 12 pin plug is really tight in the existing 7 pin mounting position with the bumper pressing down on it. Think it should be OK.
Has anyone mounted a 12 pin plug onto theon pin mounting plate and any problem with the bumper pressing on it?
I image the bumper rubbing on top of the 12 pin the paint would come off.
maybe just me being too fussy. Might need a different mount