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Post by angry1450 on May 11, 2020 10:30:21 GMT 10
The van has 12v internal lighting/switches etc but I can't locate an actual power source, I'm assuming it's one of the wires in the 7 pin flat trailer plug. My plan is to locate the source wire and connect it to batteries to be fitted to the van, that will be charged via solar and a dc dc charger etc. Am I correct in assuming the power source is in the plug. The standard 7 pin wiring diagram doesn't show an axillary power wire.
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 11, 2020 15:47:27 GMT 10
Hi and welcome OP Go online and google 7 pin flat trailer plug and they will describe each hole. Alternatively check here: www.myboat.com.au/trailer-wiring/ The auxiliary wire is also used for the reversing lights and is shown as No2 (colour on diagram is black) in the diagram. Don't forget you will also need to splice into the earth wire of the circuit, earth it to the caravan chassis and take that to the battery earth. Does the van have a 3way fridge and will you be running it off the battery too? The live wire for that would also be connected to the Aux hole (two wire will be soldered together). If you're also running the fridge off the battery, make sure you have a decent earth wire from battery to van chassis (I use 30 amp), or you will lose performance. Disclaimer: I am NOT a qualified auto or 240 volt electrician. Learnt this from personal experience only! |
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Post by Rattles on May 11, 2020 15:50:44 GMT 10
Pin 2 of the 7 pin Flat or Round Plug was used for Auxiliary 12v Power on many Older Caravans which is used for 12v Lights and on on many old 7 pin pin out diagrams it will be labeled as "Auxiliary" however the standard now is for Pin 2 to be for Reversing Lights/Buzzer.
If you open your 7 pin plug and see if a wire is connected to Pin 2 (may be Black) chase the 7 pin cable to the under your Caravan and find where the cable ends and where all the wires are connected to the Brake/tail lights etc, if a wire is also jointed to the wire from Pin 2 then this most probably will be the 12v power for the Interior Lights, Light fittings will have a 240v Lamp and a 18watt 12v Auto style lamp.
As a quick test and if your Car has Reversing Lights wired to to Pin 2 of the Trailer connector if you Put the Car into reverse (without the car running) with ignition on (Reversing Lights on Car glowing) and switch the 12v lights in the Caravan with the 12v Switches the 12v lamps should glow.
To Comply with the latest Australian you will need to upgrade to a 12 Pin plug or as many thousands of Old and some Late model Caravans connect Fused power to pin 2 and the 12v lights will glow, Do not use this feed for a 12v Fridge as the pin 2 is not capable to carry the current required for a 12v Fridge element (10A+), you will Need to use Pins 8-12 of a 12 pin plug or better still an Anderson plug with an Ignition switched 12v feed.
Hope I have not Confused the issue.
Rattles
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Post by angry1450 on May 11, 2020 19:01:04 GMT 10
Cheers, yep, has black wire in pin2. Reverse light. Also found, in the wiring but not connected at the plug, a heavier guage wire in yellow and green, im thinking maybe fridge wire, or possibly the 12v power source, although im inclined to think fridge. There is currently only a 240v fridge in the van. Will opt for a 12v compressor fridge in the future.
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Post by nickd15 on May 11, 2020 19:19:44 GMT 10
I set ours up to run off an external battery connected to a portable solar panel when we are not on power. Our fridge is a 12/240 compressor fridge. I setup a two core lead that has a 7 pin plug for the lights and setup up a separate anderson plug for the fridge. This is based on the need for a heavy lead to run the fridge, and also allows me to use the battery when travelling to power the fridge.
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Post by Geoff & Jude on May 11, 2020 22:21:38 GMT 10
Also found, in the wiring but not connected at the plug, a heavier guage wire in yellow and green, im thinking maybe fridge wire, or possibly the 12v power source, although im inclined to think fridge. There is currently only a 240v fridge in the van. be careful, yellow and green wire is usually an earth wire for 240 volt systems. if you're not sure what you're doing, don't do it. geoff 'n jude |
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 12, 2020 8:34:34 GMT 10
I agree with geoff'njude, it sounds like your wiring is a bit all over the place. Get a professional to look at it for you.
I set my fridge up similar to nickd15 - on a separate 30 amp line to van battery and anderson plug to tow vehicle battery.
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Post by Rattles on May 12, 2020 10:05:36 GMT 10
in error
Rattles
[/quote]
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Post by angry1450 on May 12, 2020 11:56:33 GMT 10
OK. So blue wire in the 7pin, which should be service brake is actually 12v power source. I'm going to have to rewire 12v power (internal) and also rewire electric brake system.
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Post by angry1450 on May 12, 2020 11:57:10 GMT 10
Also found, in the wiring but not connected at the plug, a heavier guage wire in yellow and green, im thinking maybe fridge wire, or possibly the 12v power source, although im inclined to think fridge. There is currently only a 240v fridge in the van. be careful, yellow and green wire is usually an earth wire for 240 volt systems. if you're not sure what you're doing, don't do it. geoff 'n jude |
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Post by angry1450 on May 12, 2020 11:59:15 GMT 10
be careful, yellow and green wire is usually an earth wire for 240 volt systems. if you're not sure what you're doing, don't do it. geoff 'n jude . That makes sense as yellow green screwed to chassis underneath. I wonder why the would run it into trailer plug as well.? |
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 13, 2020 7:52:52 GMT 10
There are some interesting articles in this caravansplus site www.caravansplus.com.au/guides/The "traditional electrical installation guide" might be useful to explain some basics |
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Post by nedoklob on May 24, 2020 21:38:08 GMT 10
I can say about the use of environmentally friendly energy, that I use portable solar panel that are installed in my car. I use Aiper panels and it seems to me that they are the best. They produce the most power in hot weather or in low light. Their world design is what makes them so good. Also, the accumulated energy helps me very much on the road with long journeys, to charge the phone, etc. This is the best design of the century. |
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 25, 2020 8:05:59 GMT 10
Out of interest I looked up your recommended brand, nedoklob. The youtube review here www.youtube.com/watch?v=buiAyohkDzk might interest you. Doesn't sound like the company is too reliable. |
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Post by geernik on Sept 15, 2021 5:47:51 GMT 10
Hey! I would like to share my experience of using solar panels. For myself, I noted an important point that after a while of using solar panels, one cannot do without mppt solar charge controller supplier . The solar controller is designed to perform a variety of monitoring functions during the charging / discharging of the solar battery, and also monitors energy consumption. Depending on the degree of discharge, the level of current required for the initial and subsequent charging is regulated and set, and this is, first of all, saving the battery life. |
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