Water proof powerpoint installed on the prado

[Wilkinson Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wilkinson]

Hi All

While on hols over xmas I noticed a prado with a waterproof powerpoint installed in the rear. the bloke says he has his engel fridge 240v lead hard wired to this power point and when pulls up just plugs in a lead to the powerpoint under the truck!

Has any one done this and if so any instructions on What is needed?

Cheers

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

Hi All

While on hols over xmas I noticed a prado with a waterproof powerpoint installed in the rear. the bloke says he has his engel fridge 240v lead hard wired to this power point and when pulls up just plugs in a lead to the powerpoint under the truck!

Has any one done this and if so any instructions on What is needed?

Cheers

You will need a qualified electrician to install it and sign it off, it will also need to be all double pole the same as any caravan installation.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.


Sent from Richos iPhone using Tapatalk

[bworth Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bworth]

While on hols over xmas I noticed a prado with a waterproof powerpoint installed in the rear. the bloke says he has his engel fridge 240v lead hard wired to this power point and when pulls up just plugs in a lead to the powerpoint under the truck!

Nice idea, and potentially safer than repeatedly jamming the 240volt extension lead in the door??

Has anyone approached this problem another way??

e.g. Say running an (unswitched or even earth-leakage-protected) extension lead from the engine bay (male plug, or variation) into the cabin of the car? (to.. say under the passenger/drivers seat??)

We have only run a frig for about 3 total weeks of camping, and I confess that it worried me every time I shut the door on the extension lead. [Rear passenger door was kinder than the huge rear door]

A pre-wired extension cord might? also legally bypass the electrician, as it does in normal situations I believe? [Hoping that someone will correct if wrong?...]

Many extension cables purchased today are totally sealed in the manufacturing process which would be desirable in the engine compartment to minimise water egress.

Opinion??

What does everyone do?

bworth

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

Why not just use 12v as most fridges are designed to work better off 12 v.

[Wilkinson Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wilkinson]

Thanks for the replies. My thoughts are why drain your second battery when you can use electricity for free when at a caravan park.
Will ask around to see what sparkies are interested

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Why not just open out the rear side window and run the extension lead via an safety switch to the fridge?

I don't think you'll find any sparkies wanting to touch it.

[Chopper Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chopper]

Personally I keep everything on 12 volt, but put a 3 stage charger onto the battery when camped somewhere with power.

I have a slim little one which allows the bonnet to close (I don't latch it, but could).

[Wilkinson Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wilkinson]

Currently do that but not good when it rains...lol
Sparkies must be doing as seen a few now

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Sparkies must be doing as seen a few now

or non-sparkies doing it themselves...

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Thanks for the replies. My thoughts are why drain your second battery when you can use electricity for free when at a caravan park.

Where are these caravan parks offering FREE electricity? In my experience you always pay extra for a powered site. Where about in "the Rear" was this power point installed? unless it is on the outside of the Prado I can't see the point, and I cant think of anywhere besides underneath that you could mount a power point.

I tend to think I would invest the money in some solar panels if I wanted the extra power, that way you get "free power" where ever you are.

Cheers Andrew

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

I understand your free power statment We always get a powered site if available to charge the batteries and especially this time of year to run the air-con unit in the camper.
I used to do the lead jammed in the door but your fridge is drawing a couple of amps per hour, if you are taking the vehicle out for a run everyday or even every second day i dont even bother plugging it in at all now.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Air con in camper unit? Somebody is obviously spoilt.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I sometimes will run the extension through the rear left window but, if it's raining, I will run the cable through the front passenger window as I have a weathershield that will allow the window to remain open just enough for the cable and still retain reasonable security. As I have solar panels, I rely on these to charge the batteries in the camper but have also got another solar regulator under the bonnet with an anderson plug so I can use the solar to charge the car batteries too.

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

My thoughts are that I would not like to mix 240Volt and 12V together in a car or 4WD. If not done properly, with all the necessary protection of the cables, there could be a potential to cause extensive damage to the car's electrics or worse, to persons touching the car if the 240V active was to be in contact with the car body.
Also, make sure that an ELCB is fitted at the power post. If not, plug in an in-line one for your safety.

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

Air con in camper unit? Somebody is obviously spoilt.

Yeah err indoors. Its a portable unit and is used inside our Jayco hawk usually on the trip away in the summer school hols.... that would be next week.

Thats getting your moneys worth Wilkinson.... 1.5kw air-con.