12v socket extension query

[Euphony]

Hi all,
Firstly, following some responses to my previous question, this is not a joke, that's just in case it's a dumb question and if so I apologise in advance, but.........
I bought a tyre inflator for my MH that is for vans, trucks and lorries and will cover up to 150 psi however having tried to use it with an extension from the cigarette lighter it keeps blowing the extension fuse at around 45 psi. Should I risk a heavier fuse?

 

[gozomike]

Do you know the current rating of the fuse which is blowing? Normally cigarette lighter sockets will be rated at a max of 10 amps, but may be lower. The cable size of the extension cable also needs to be considered.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

I think you will find that the pump will draw far too much current for your cig lighter socket. It will certainly over heat and possibly damage the socket and or flatten your engine battery. Mine comes with Spring clips and I clip it straight on to the leisure battery which for me are quite conveniently in a side locker. If you drain your leisure battery pumping up a tyre you just don't watch tv if you drain your engine battery you don't go anywhere. Buy some Spring clips and make up a thick extension lead if need be.
Steve

 

[Pausim]

I bought a 12v socket connected to crocodile clips (standard accessory). Simply clip to battery and plug tyre inflator into it.

 

[gozomike]

I think you will find that the pump will draw far too much current for your cig lighter socket.

That will depend on the pump, I have one which works OK on the cig lighter socket, Its quite slow but will take my tyre's up to 65 without any problems.

A couple more questions for the OP. Did the pump come with a cig lighter plug fitted? If so will it pump up a tyre plugged directly into a socket ( if it will reach one).

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[gozomike]

I bought a 12v socket connected to crocodile clips (standard accessory). Simply clip to battery and plug tyre inflator into it.

That would be a good fix.

 

[Euphony]

H

Do you know the current rating of the fuse which is blowing? Normally cigarette lighter sockets will be rated at a max of 10 amps, but may be lower. The cable size of the extension cable also needs to be considered.

Hi, it's a 5A at the moment.

 

[Euphony]

Hi,

That will depend on the pump, I have one which works OK on the cig lighter socket, Its quite slow but will take my tyre's up to 65 without any problems.

A couple more questions for the OP. Did the pump come with a cig lighter plug fitted? If so will it pump up a tyre plugged directly into a socket ( if it will reach one).

Hi, yes it came with one fitted and works fine on the front tyres but the cable isn't long enough to reach my rear wheels

 

[Euphony]

I think you will find that the pump will draw far too much current for your cig lighter socket. It will certainly over heat and possibly damage the socket and or flatten your engine battery. Mine comes with Spring clips and I clip it straight on to the leisure battery which for me are quite conveniently in a side locker. If you drain your leisure battery pumping up a tyre you just don't watch tv if you drain your engine battery you don't go anywhere. Buy some Spring clips and make up a thick extension lead if need be.
Steve

Thanks, that sounds like an ideal solution.

 

[Euphony]

I bought a 12v socket connected to crocodile clips (standard accessory). Simply clip to battery and plug tyre inflator into it.

Hi, thanks I'll order one online now and it'll be ready for me when we get home.

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[pappajohn]

I extended mine using the same gauge wire as original to suit my 32ft RV.
The total length was around 20ft and the volt drop was so severe the compressor ran at less than half speed and couldn't get past around 20psi....I needed 80psi.
So....I extended the actual air hose instead.
All it did, because the compressor piston delivery was so small, was compress the air in the hose then release the pressure on the pistols down stroke so nothing came out the hose.
I returned everything back to standard and used an old car battery to power it.

 

[DavidG58]

I bought a 12v socket connected to crocodile clips (standard accessory). Simply clip to battery and plug tyre inflator into it.

good idea in principle, we have no access to either leisure battery or starter battery terminals

better to use a forecourt pump, even if it needs paying for, unless your tyre is very flat you should be able to drive it to a garage, if very flat it is probably already beyond a compressor to fix it


edit - we also have a plug in compressor though and find we need to run the engine to get the pump speed anywhere near good enough, but as said above still struggle to get as much pressure as we need

 

[Euphony]

good idea in principle, we have no access to either leisure battery or starter battery terminals

better to use a forecourt pump, even if it needs paying for, unless your tyre is very flat you should be able to drive it to a garage, if very flat it is probably already beyond a compressor to fix it

Hi, It's not the paying for it that made me spend £60 on a heavy duty inflator which incidentally has a "flat" setting, it was the convenience of doing it at my storage before I hit the road.
I have easy access to either of my 2 leisure batteries so it's an easy fix and good fit for my needs I think.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

better to use a forecourt pump, even if it needs paying for, unless your tyre is very flat you should be able to drive it to a garage, if very flat it is probably already beyond a compressor to fix it.

Not necessarily, We run at 80psi and when we had a soft tyre on Spain tried four garages and they all let the tyre down because they couldn't do the pressure. We finally found a tyre company that had an airline that could do 80psi. Which is why we bought our compressor.

 

[Gellyneck]

Hi, It's not the paying for it that made me spend £60 on a heavy duty inflator which incidentally has a "flat" setting, it was the convenience of doing it at my storage before I hit the road.
I have easy access to either of my 2 leisure batteries so it's an easy fix and good fit for my needs I think.

Same reason I got our RAC900 inflater and as it's rated at 23A it only comes with crocodile clips to connect directly to an appropriate battery.

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[138go]

I bought a hand track pump. Pumps up to 120Psi for the cycle tyres but also does the MH tyres as well. Other advantages include non electric and keeps you fit.

 

[DavidG58]

this might be a daft question so apologies

can you connect one of these to the jump start terminals under the bonnet? Does that allow a voltage out?

our cab battery is buried under the passenger foot well and the leisure batteries are too tall to get access under the charger unit to the rear terminal

 

[DBK]

this might be a daft question so apologies

can you connect one of these to the jump start terminals under the bonnet? Does that allow a voltage out?

our cab battery is buried under the passenger foot well and the leisure batteries are too tall to get access under the charger unit to the rear terminal

Yes, the jump start terminals are permanently connected to the vehicle battery.

 

[Gellyneck]

this might be a daft question so apologies

can you connect one of these to the jump start terminals under the bonnet? Does that allow a voltage out?

our cab battery is buried under the passenger foot well and the leisure batteries are too tall to get access under the charger unit to the rear terminal

Positive lead connected to positive terminal on battery and negative lead connected to the earth point on our Ducato works for me (from memory) but as the leisure battery is easier access I normally use that.

 

[pappajohn]

this might be a daft question so apologies

can you connect one of these to the jump start terminals under the bonnet? Does that allow a voltage out?

our cab battery is buried under the passenger foot well and the leisure batteries are too tall to get access under the charger unit to the rear terminal

Yes you can, and that is un-fused so the compressors current isn't an issue.
It's connected directly to the battery to enable jump starting.

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[Lenny HB]

Assume your van is a Fiat from you avita, the dash socket should be fused at 15 amps which should be OK for the pump.
Are you getting a good connection because Fiat sockets are right at the top end of the DIN tolerance, so the plug may be a lose fit and arcing.
I find the Fiat supplied pump works fine and can get the tyres up to 80psi without a problem but the plug won't fit into most car sockets as I found out when my daughter had a flat.

 

[daveandsan]

I bought a really good 12v extension.

 

[Camdoon]

Our local tyre fitters have a "we will check your tyres for free" offer which I minimise down to checking and fixing the tyre pressures. They reckon their pumps are more accurate and calibrated more often than something shop bought or at a petrol station. Have used them to buy tyres, after haggling, so benefits all.

 

[gozomike]

H

Hi, it's a 5A at the moment.

Hi.
It sounds as if the extension lead is a light duty one that will not handle the current. As mentioned a lead witch clips on to the battery sounds your best option, just make sure it is heavy enough duty.

It is best to check the tyre pressures before you drive the vehicle, as long as the wheels have not been in the sun, it is surprising how quickly the pressures rise on moving the vehicle.