Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Powering fridge on 12v

larkspeednl

04/11/2014 at 10:02am
Location: Emmen The Netherlands
Outfit: Home-Car Eureka 43

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 14/5/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 70

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Sorry if this is in the wrong place I was not sure where it fell.

As most probably know there are 2 possible configurations for the blue wire (pin 2) on a 7 pin trailer plug.

1) Auxiliary power when key on

2) Fog light

My car is wired with a factory towing setup and the blue wire on pin 7 is setup for fog light.

My caravan has a single 7 pin plug that has a 12v line to run the fridge while towing which is connected to Pin 2 so it's expecting the plug on the car to supply power when the key is turned on.

I don't know how much power a fridge takes running on 12v but if I just turned on the rear fog light and removed the fog light bulb from the car while I was towing the caravan would that provide sufficient power to run the fridge?

---edit---

I suppose I should mention the car is a 1998 1.8l Citroen Xantia 5 Door Hatchback

Post last edited on 04/11/2014 10:27:16

Post last edited on 04/11/2014 10:27:44

Screen2

04/11/2014 at 10:31am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/10/2014

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 217

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

If you are in Holland then slightly different answer to if you were in UK as Dutch caravans do not have older UK twin 12n/12s leads. What you are asking is does your fog light wire, blue(no2 in UK)have sufficient amps to power fridge while driving?

Rear foglamp bulbs are usually 21w which at 12v means a draw of less than 2amps but it depends on fuse rating for rear foglamp circuit for your car, it might be 10 or 20amp but there could be other circuits protected by same fuse.

Fridge while driving draws around 6-8amps so I would think wiring as you suggest would power it ok. I assume your foglights go off with ignition because if fridge is drawing current when engine is not running it will flatten battery quite quickly.

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

larkspeednl

04/11/2014 at 10:39am
Location: Emmen The Netherlands
Outfit: Home-Car Eureka 43

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 14/5/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 70

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Fogs will only come on if the headlights are on.

We always drive with the headlights on, they are not controlled by the key but after many years of driving this way coupled with the irritating beeper that goes off if you open the door with the headlights on and the key off we never leave them on when stopped.

This would mean the risk of flattening the battery would be massively reduced.

I don't know if it makes any different that the fog light circuit in the car is designed to power 2 fog lights and not just one plus on top of that up to 2 fog lights on any trailer connected.

According to the owners manual for the car the rear fog lights are run on a 10 amp fuse and nothing else uses the circuit

Screen2

04/11/2014 at 11:49am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/10/2014

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 217

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Yes, if foglight circuit is protected by 10amp fuse this should be sufficient to power fridge with nothing else on so with foglight bulbs removed you should be ok for powering fridge. You can only try it & if fuse does not blow then you are ok. Obviously ensure foglight switch is off when you turn off engine.

birdman101

04/11/2014 at 3:01pm
Location: Milton Keynes
Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/8/2011

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2689

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Your fridge feed cable needs to be 2.5mm and a 15amp fuse.Rear foglight wiring will only be 1.5mm

peterws

04/11/2014 at 9:36pm
Location: Morecambe
Outfit: Daystar `91 + Berlingo

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/10/2011

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 621

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Depending on how far you're travelling and how hot it is, you may find if your fridge has been on for a few hours before you set off, it'll keep stuff cool for 4 hours or more without electricity or anything else. That's what I do. The frozen stuff stays frozen.

-------------
Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer

larkspeednl

05/11/2014 at 9:25am
Location: Emmen The Netherlands
Outfit: Home-Car Eureka 43

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 14/5/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 70

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

True but sometimes our drives are much longer than that and other times we don't have chance to fully cool the fridge in advance.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

6437 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder