Croc clips in here??

Deafender

Deafender

Joined
May 23, 2021
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Hiring for two years, now an owner
On watching one of the advice videos on MHFun for new owners such as us, I realised that my Ring cigar-lighter powered compressor would be in chocolate fireguard mode for the tyres on our Ducato PVC at 55 or so PSI - and so I acquired the TMAX air compressor that was recommended.

This is indeed a powerful beast - it runs off a direct to battery connection (Van not Leisure battery) - and this is the first time I was prompted to lift the carpeting and floor panel in the cab to access the van battery.

It’s a bit crowded in there, and no clear path to connect a croc clip to either terminal - in fact from the van step neither battery terminal is visible - and I baulked at dangling or connecting croc clips in there with all the attachments on terminals that I’ve not come across before. (In case it wasn't obvious, I am no mechanic or electrician...)

So I’ve attached photos of what I see… and wondered what all those bits are hanging off the terminals in largish metal plates and thick cabling - but especially where I can safely attach the croc clips - particularly the positive lead, I am sure that the negative can connect the braided earth strap that is easily reached - and do so without blowing 25 fuses all around the van or setting fire to it…

I was also thinking that I’d rather have a connection point for the compressor somewhere near the door that doesn’t require heaving out carpets and floor panels just to be able to pump up a tyre in a roadside emergency - especially now that I’ve seen the setup in here… but I’ll get to that later.

Any advice on where I can/can’t clip the red lead in here? I’d be most grateful…

IMG_3430.webp
IMG_3429.webp




IMG_3431.webp
 
Is your van a Peugeot/Fiat?
Underneath the bonnet of those, there is a positive terminal in a plastic sheath for jump starting. Much easier to access for your croc clip. .The negative clip of course can just grip any bolt on the engine.
 
Ah blimey, yes of course- why didn’t I think of that myself?? - that under-bonnet set up on our Ducato was shown to me at the dealership, and I remember it very well… only the context was for a flat battery issue, not the opposite….
…as I said… I am no mechanic!!

Bobby-gg and steve69 - Thank you both!! :giggle:
 
Deafender said:
So I’ve attached photos of what I see… and wondered what all those bits are hanging off the terminals in largish metal plates and thick cabling
Click to expand...
In case you were wondering, here's a description of the stuff on the positive battery terminal. The battery terminal itself is on the left, under all that other stuff. The other stuff is called a battery distribution fuse box. Similar to this one:
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Battery Distribution & Fuse Box

Compact power distribution & fuse box that connects directly to the battery terminal using the built-in clamp. Houses 2x Midi/strip & 8x Maxi blade fuses.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

The central piece of metal connects directly to the battery positive terminal. It has four flat fuses (link fuses) connected to it. The big brown fuse is a Mega fuse. and the three smaller fuses are Midi fuses, two red and one brown.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Mega Link Fuses

Mega link fuses used for protecting very high current circuits in auto, marine & leisure applications. Available in current ratings from 40A to 500A.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Midi Link Fuses

Midi link fuses used for protecting larger current circuits in automotive, marine and leisure applications. Available in current ratings from 30A to 150A.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

The big Mega fuse carries the power to the starter motor, and from the alternator for charging when the engine is running. The three Midi fuses carry power to various vehicle circuits.

There are a few other bolts on the central metal piece, and other wires are attached to them, with in-line fuses in the wires nearby I assume.

The red plastic item with two cross-head screws is simply a mechanical support for the distribution fuse box, it has no electrical function. If you wanted remove the distribution box from the battery terminal, you would remove those two cross-head screws, slacken the battery terminal clamp bolt, and the whole distribution fuse box could be removed.

To answer your question, you can clip the pump positive croc clip to any of the bolts on the central metal area, that would be the same as clipping directly to the battery positive terminal itself.

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Last edited:
autorouter said:
In case you were wondering, here's a description of the stuff on the positive battery terminal. The battery terminal itself is on the left, under all that other stuff. The other stuff is called a battery distribution fuse box. Similar to this one:
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Battery Distribution & Fuse Box

Compact power distribution & fuse box that connects directly to the battery terminal using the built-in clamp. Houses 2x Midi/strip & 8x Maxi blade fuses.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

The central piece of metal connects directly to the battery positive terminal. It has four flat fuses (link fuses) connected to it. The big brown fuse is a Mega fuse. and the three smaller fuses are Midi fuses, two red and one brown.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Mega Link Fuses

Mega link fuses used for protecting very high current circuits in auto, marine & leisure applications. Available in current ratings from 40A to 500A.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Midi Link Fuses

Midi link fuses used for protecting larger current circuits in automotive, marine and leisure applications. Available in current ratings from 30A to 150A.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

The big Mega fuse carries the power to the starter motor, and from the alternator for charging when the engine is running. The three Midi fuses carry power to various vehicle circuits.

There are a few other bolts on the central metal piece, and other wires are attached to them, with in-line fuses in the wires nearby I assume.

The red plastic item with two cross-head screws is simply a mechanical support for the distribution fuse box, it has no electrical function. If you wanted remove the distribution box from the battery terminal, you would remove those two cross-head screws, slacken the battery terminal clamp bolt, and the whole distribution fuse box could be removed.

To answer your question, you can clip the pump positive croc clip to any of the bolts on the central metal area, that would be the same as clipping directly to the battery positive terminal itself.
Click to expand...
Thank you autorouter, Yes I was wondering and that’s much appreciated - I’ve not seen anything quite like this before… I have a 2009 Freelander which has just the basic connectors to the battery, and probably 50 fuses dotted around the vehicle, but nothing like this.

I was minded to add a few electrical extras to the MH, possibly an inverter (jury still out on whether we need that) and the twin leisure batteries are nearing end of life - I added a tracker and dashcam to our car and found that straightforward to do, and converted the power to my MH Starlink router to 12v by following several posts on MH Fun, but the rest is definitely looking way outside my comfort zone… so I’m saving my pennies to get the pros onto our wish list!!
 
As has been said, connect compressor to under bonnet connections but some compressors do take a hefty toll on the battery so I always start my engine first, before connecting and after pumping up the tyres and air assist suspension, I take my van for a 30 min run to warm the engine through and put some charge back into the battery.
Possibly a bit OTT but this time of the year I do like a charge battery on the next cold morning. 👍
 
L' Hobo said:
As has been said, connect compressor to under bonnet connections but some compressors do take a hefty toll on the battery so I always start my engine first, before connecting and after pumping up the tyres and air assist suspension, I take my van for a 30 min run to warm the engine through and put some charge back into the battery.
Possibly a bit OTT but this time of the year I do like a charge battery on the next cold morning. 👍
Click to expand...
Not OTT at all, I know enough that it’s sound advice - there are strong warnings about the likely drain on the van battery, and the instructions do say to have the engine running when using this compressor- also stated in the video on MH Fun which set me on to this…

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Did you see my thread about Anderson Connectors?

If you fancy a bit of DIY this is a perfect solution. You could install one in the foot well near the battery?

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Installing an Anderson connector on the side of van and caravan.

I have a standalone Diesel tank for my diesel heater in the caravan and another for my van. I was using a battery operated pump to transfer from the jerry can to the tank but they keep failing and take too long. So I have ordered a really good one. these come with crocodile clips and I was...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
Hi Gromett,

I hadn’t, but now I’ve just read your Andersen thread through, and with the issue I am still pondering on my own recent water loss and brand new electric pump set up - which again is Croc Clip connector based - AND the Starlink power lead currently being fed through the roof light when I use it, I could probably use one or two of the Andersen connectors rather than lifting the bonnet - and using the van step area is also a good call, because we’re a PVC and I wouldn’t be wishing to drill through the external metal bodywork… so definitely another to add to my (growing) list - thanks for that! (y)
 
Everyday is a school day.

Can someone please tel me where the positive connection for jump starting a 2016 Fiat Ducato.

I know there is a bolt for earthing just under the scuttle.

TiA 😊
 
Silver-Fox said:
Everyday is a school day.

Can someone please tel me where the positive connection for jump starting a 2016 Fiat Ducato.

I know there is a bolt for earthing just under the scuttle.

TiA 😊
Click to expand...

On 2007 Ducato, it's open bonnet, look to the right, find fuse box cover, on engine side you will find a black box about the size of a cigarette packet, flip lid and positive tag is under it. 👍

I don't suppose your model will be much different? 🤔
 
L' Hobo said:
As has been said, connect compressor to under bonnet connections but some compressors do take a hefty toll on the battery so I always start my engine first
Click to expand...
Yes agree 100%.. however the advice to start engine is not primarily to stop battery drainage, a good battery should supply even a power hungry tyre compressor for the short time required, but rather to supply a higher voltage ( try stopping engine while compressor running ) and you can hear physical differance in compressor performance..
The extra volt or so makes all the differance to the compressors performance.👍👍
 
poppycamper said:
Yes agree 100%.. however the advice to start engine is not primarily to stop battery drainage, a good battery should supply even a power hungry tyre compressor for the short time required, but rather to supply a higher voltage ( try stopping engine while compressor running ) and you can hear physical differance in compressor performance..
The extra volt or so makes all the differance to the compressors performance.👍👍
Click to expand...
How do we know if we have a good battery? 😄
 
autorouter said:
In case you were wondering, here's a description of the stuff on the positive battery terminal. The battery terminal itself is on the left, under all that other stuff. The other stuff is called a battery distribution fuse box. Similar to this one:
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Battery Distribution & Fuse Box

Compact power distribution & fuse box that connects directly to the battery terminal using the built-in clamp. Houses 2x Midi/strip & 8x Maxi blade fuses.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

The central piece of metal connects directly to the battery positive terminal. It has four flat fuses (link fuses) connected to it. The big brown fuse is a Mega fuse. and the three smaller fuses are Midi fuses, two red and one brown.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Mega Link Fuses

Mega link fuses used for protecting very high current circuits in auto, marine & leisure applications. Available in current ratings from 40A to 500A.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Midi Link Fuses

Midi link fuses used for protecting larger current circuits in automotive, marine and leisure applications. Available in current ratings from 30A to 150A.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

The big Mega fuse carries the power to the starter motor, and from the alternator for charging when the engine is running. The three Midi fuses carry power to various vehicle circuits.

There are a few other bolts on the central metal piece, and other wires are attached to them, with in-line fuses in the wires nearby I assume.

The red plastic item with two cross-head screws is simply a mechanical support for the distribution fuse box, it has no electrical function. If you wanted remove the distribution box from the battery terminal, you would remove those two cross-head screws, slacken the battery terminal clamp bolt, and the whole distribution fuse box could be removed.

To answer your question, you can clip the pump positive croc clip to any of the bolts on the central metal area, that would be the same as clipping directly to the battery positive terminal itself.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this informative post. I’ve always wondered what all the things were that are connected to the cab battery.

As I once heard in court from the judge: “Thank you Mr X for that explanation, but I’m none the wiser!” To which came the reply “No, my Lord, but you’re better informed!” 🙂

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:
L' Hobo said:
How do we know if we have a good battery? 😄
Click to expand...
Good answer and good reply..
So you have doubts on the state of your battery?? I have no doubts on mine, However I do still start engine on the very very rare occassion i need to top up tyres (dont have air suspension) but only to get max performance from compressor and not concerned my 10yr old battery can't handle it..🤣
 
Silver-Fox said:
Everyday is a school day.

Can someone please tel me where the positive connection for jump starting a 2016 Fiat Ducato.

I know there is a bolt for earthing just under the scuttle.

TiA 😊
Click to expand...
to the right of the centre -neg bolt , other side of the air filter drum, a flat plastic lid that flips up to reveal the +pos flat plate.
I assume the same as our 2019.
Mike.
 
L' Hobo said:
On 2007 Ducato, it's open bonnet, look to the right, find fuse box cover, on engine side you will find a black box about the size of a cigarette packet, flip lid and positive tag is under it. 👍

I don't suppose your model will be much different? 🤔
Click to expand...
What's a cigarette packet?
Cheers, Dave
 
L' Hobo said:
On 2007 Ducato, it's open bonnet, look to the right, find fuse box cover, on engine side you will find a black box about the size of a cigarette packet, flip lid and positive tag is under it. 👍

I don't suppose your model will be much different? 🤔
Click to expand...

Thankyou 👍
 

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