To finalise preparations of a 1983 Evernew for The Big Lap I am fitting a 12V battery, but can't find a point to tap it into the van's 12V circuit.
Before I start hacking into wall panels chasing the wires I thought someone out here might have a better idea
bill12 said
02:55 AM Jan 23, 2012
I would try to run new wire, and run it to a fuse bank, if you have one.The best have fuses and earth bar built in and can be had from any reasonable chandalry shop.83 to now is a long time and wire does deteroirate over time. Bill
justcruisin01 said
03:31 AM Jan 23, 2012
GH35 wrote:
To finalise preparations of a 1983 Evernew for The Big Lap I am fitting a 12V battery, but can't find a point to tap it into the van's 12V circuit.
Before I start hacking into wall panels chasing the wires I thought someone out here might have a better idea
Did the van have a 12v battery before ?
GH35 said
05:27 AM Jan 23, 2012
Thanks Bill. I probably wasn't clear enough in describing my situation. The van can draw 12v from the tow vehicle and run the 12V lights while plugged in, but I've fitted a battery in the van and need to somehow connect it to the van - preferably without sending a wire all the way up to the plug.
Regards
Geoff
GH35 said
05:31 AM Jan 23, 2012
No, it has several 12V/240V lights and can run them off the car battery when connected, but I've mounted a 110amp/hr battery in the van and want to be able to run a light or two when I can't plug in to 240V. I need to somehow connect it to the van - preferably without sending a wire all the way up to the plug.
PeterD said
05:51 AM Jan 23, 2012
Vans in the early 80s did not have 12 V fuses. They were lucky to have 240 V circuit breakers in some cases (Evernew would most likely have them.)
The power lead from the trailer plug generally disappears into the draw bar at the front. You can crawl under the van and you may see where the bundle exits the chassis or draw bar. You can then see where it enters the body. From there it will probably head straight for one of the ceiling lights and daisy chain to the others. The wire probably will not go vertically up the side of the van.
You may be able to connect in where the cable goes between the chassis and the body if it is visible.
If you can't sight this you may have to go cap in hand to your local friendly van repairer or ring Evernew.
GH35 said
06:08 PM Jan 23, 2012
Thanks for the info Peter,
You are right, the wiring goes into the off-side drawbar, then disappears into the chassis rail approximately under the fridge. I had the fridge out a while back but don't remember seeing any wiring - it might have to come out again, or, as you say, go cap in hand.
I'm reluctant to open up the cable bundle under the van to splice in the wire, but if I can find it inside it will be a goer.
Last try today.
Thanks
Geoff
PeterD said
06:54 PM Jan 23, 2012
Geoff, If the fridge has a 12 V supply input you can connect your battery there. Be careful not to run the fridge off your 12 V supply without the motor running, after all you put the battery in to run the lights and not the fridge. The fridge will take too much out of it.
GH35 said
07:24 PM Jan 23, 2012
Hi Peter, nothing is ever simple. The fridge's 12v bits were added when the fridge was overhauled recently and there is no wiring in the van for it - I ran a separate lead to the vehicle and acknowledge your warning - it gets disconnected as soon as we stop. I will get that part wired properly to prevent the situation you mention happening. But thanks for the warning. I might have to visit the Evernew folk for a solution.
Beers Geoff
justcruisin01 said
03:31 AM Jan 24, 2012
GH35 wrote:
No, it has several 12V/240V lights and can run them off the car battery when connected, but I've mounted a 110amp/hr battery in the van and want to be able to run a light or two when I can't plug in to 240V. I need to somehow connect it to the van - preferably without sending a wire all the way up to the plug.
Geoff, PeterD has given you the same info that I had in mind when I asked if the van had a battery as original equipment.
If you can tap into the system as sugested dont forget to fuse the new circuts.
To finalise preparations of a 1983 Evernew for The Big Lap I am fitting a 12V battery, but can't find a point to tap it into the van's 12V circuit.
Before I start hacking into wall panels chasing the wires I thought someone out here might have a better idea
Did the van have a 12v battery before ?
Thanks Bill. I probably wasn't clear enough in describing my situation. The van can draw 12v from the tow vehicle and run the 12V lights while plugged in, but I've fitted a battery in the van and need to somehow connect it to the van - preferably without sending a wire all the way up to the plug.
Regards
Geoff
No, it has several 12V/240V lights and can run them off the car battery when connected, but I've mounted a 110amp/hr battery in the van and want to be able to run a light or two when I can't plug in to 240V. I need to somehow connect it to the van - preferably without sending a wire all the way up to the plug.
The power lead from the trailer plug generally disappears into the draw bar at the front. You can crawl under the van and you may see where the bundle exits the chassis or draw bar. You can then see where it enters the body. From there it will probably head straight for one of the ceiling lights and daisy chain to the others. The wire probably will not go vertically up the side of the van.
You may be able to connect in where the cable goes between the chassis and the body if it is visible.
If you can't sight this you may have to go cap in hand to your local friendly van repairer or ring Evernew.
Thanks for the info Peter,
You are right, the wiring goes into the off-side drawbar, then disappears into the chassis rail approximately under the fridge. I had the fridge out a while back but don't remember seeing any wiring - it might have to come out again, or, as you say, go cap in hand.
I'm reluctant to open up the cable bundle under the van to splice in the wire, but if I can find it inside it will be a goer.
Last try today.
Thanks
Geoff
Beers
Geoff
Geoff, PeterD has given you the same info that I had in mind when I asked if the van had a battery as original equipment.
If you can tap into the system as sugested dont forget to fuse the new circuts.
JC.