Adding a cigar socket (1 Viewer)

gerry mcg

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Jul 28, 2016
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Ahead of fitting a small 12v TV, I need to fit a cigar socket to power it -
There is already a 3 core (black (ground), blue (+) and brown (-) inner cables) 12v power supply pre lead from the EBL to the TV area, with the blue and brown pre-wired to the EBL and the Black wired to the earth beside the EBL..

the cable ends by the TV area are terminated with three x 3 way wago blocks, and I've tested the wiring and it is all good and works so connecting the cigar socket should be straightforward.

The Question is what do I do with the black ground cable at the cigar socket end ? Do I just leave it unconnected? I think the cigar socket will only have contacts for the + and - cables, and no contact for the ground. or should I / do I need to ground it somehow?
 
Jul 5, 2013
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The 12V wiring in the motorhome usually works on the same principle as it does in a vehicle, i.e. negative earth. Therefore the ground and the negative are one and the same wire. I suspect one of your wires is some form or permanent live and the other is some form of switched live.

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Aug 6, 2013
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It is irrelevant what you do with it. That type of cable is used on some Continental MHs for all internal wiring & usually the unused wire is left disconnected. Your TV (any TV!) doesn't need an extra earth. The only check that you should make is that the blue and brown are indeed +/- 12v. The EBL drawing should tell you.
 
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gerry mcg

gerry mcg

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IMG_4467.JPG
I've looked at how another 12v hella DIN socket is wired in the van and it appears the blue and brown are connected to the socket, with no sign of the black....
when I trace the three core cable for the tv to the ebl, I see the blue and brown cables entering the ebl in block 8.
The individual 3 core cables are conveniently identified with coloured tape codes, so I have both ends of a yellow yellow blue taped cable :)

If I connect a light bulb with crocodile clips to the blue & brown cables, it comes on.
I did notice the black earth cable was screwed to the earth strip beside the ebl.
 

hilldweller

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WARNING: Germans often use Brown for Ground/Earth/Negative. Always check with a voltmeter.

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eddie

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Oct 4, 2007
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Hi Gerry

Just ignore the black wire. Some would say connect any spare wires to Negative for future use, It is up to you.

Are you 100% sure that the black is "grounded"? Are you sure that is doesn't switch to 12 VDC when the engine runs? With the engine off a meter or test light would register ) 0VDC through the D+ on the alternator

If not, it is just the converter using three core cable instead of twin core
 
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gerry mcg

gerry mcg

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Thanks Eddie. I'm 90% sure it is grounded. Beside the ebl, under the passenger seat, there is a small finned plate which appears to be bolted to the chassis with maybe 30? Small fins to which it appears the 3rd strand of all the 12v internal cabling is screwed to. The blue and brown strands plug into the ebl blocks, like block 8 in the photo above.
I suspect it is a case of 3 strand cable being used when 2 strand will do.
I'll take a couple on photos later when I get home
 
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gerry mcg

gerry mcg

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IMG_0122.JPG
Here are a couple of photos as promised.
The area where I'll fit a socket.
IMG_0120.JPG


The other end of the cable at the EBL end
IMG_0123.JPG

And the black strand terminated on what I assume is a ground strip?

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eddie

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Oct 4, 2007
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Get a meter on it to be sure of what's what. Don't try to do 12v electrics with out one. Then you will know won't you.
I agree. I could be pre wired for satellite in which case you will have 12 VDC, 0VDC and D+

D+ would be "live" only when the engine is running to force the satellite dish to close

As you have already established that you have 12 volt for your socket why not just leave it?
 
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gerry mcg

gerry mcg

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Jul 28, 2016
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It is pre wired for SAT, I'll check with a multimeter. :)

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gerry mcg

gerry mcg

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Jul 28, 2016
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Glasgow, Scotland
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Update -
cigar socket fitted successfully - thanks everyone for advice. I tested the cables with a multimeter -
The black cable appears to be "live" when the engine is off, and not live when the engine is "on"
 

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