Running a 12v fan

[seakay22]

Electrics not being my strong point..

As I understand it, the 12v socket on the dash of my Fiat Ducato is powered from the engine battery. If I want to run a fan for a period of time when parked up (Endless Breeze), what's the easiest way to connect it to the leisure batteries?

 

[Boris7]

correct, theres a good chance the van has a 12v socket that runs from the leisure batteries (normally have one for a TV)

 

[irnbru]

Cant you just plug it into a 12v socket in your van?

 

[Minxy]

Have you got any 12v sockets in the habitation area - there should be at least one I would think?

 

[seakay22]

Have you got any 12v sockets in the habitation area - there should be at least one I would think?

Pretty certain no. A few 240 sockets dotted about and a single USB over the bed but that's it.

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[Vipar]

I will swop you a 240 v fan for your 12v problem solved

 

[DBK]

Not knowing the details of your MH I can't be specific bit you need to instal a cigar lighter socket somewhere and wire it to the 12 volt habitation system. If you have a multimeter use it to explore the wiring and find something live and connect to that. You may need to up a fuse a little bit, but the EB doesn't take a massive current.

 

[Minxy]

Pretty certain no. A few 240 sockets dotted about and a single USB over the bed but that's it.

That's a bummer but not a surprise as our Carthago only had a USB in the rear so we had the dealer install a 12v one too (big cock-up by them originally but sorted now!). As the AV/media system had been installed at time of manufacture we didn't need anymore.

Its not difficult to install a socket but you need to make sure that it is in a circuit that has wiring which is suitable for the load you're gonna place on it, however it's maximum draw is 2.6 amps so not massive.

You could wire a socket direct to the batteries or link to the existing consumer/controller unit. I assume this is under your passenger seat so you could put a socket in the seat base. which is fairly easy as the plastic surrounds can be easily unscrewed to drill the hole and fix the socket - just make sure it's in a place with sufficient depth at the back for the gubbings and that you put in an 'in-line' fuse.

 

[Minxy]

Just to add, in the Globecar I put extra 12v sockets in the rear over the beds and one over the dinette and linked them to the existing lighting circuit which was rated at 10 amp, it was fairly easy to do as the wiring was accessible in the lockers.

 

[seakay22]

I'll have a double check to see if there's a concealed socket somewhere but don't think there is. Seems I'll have to add a couple in which is what I suspected.

Minxy Girl, it's a Malibu PVC quite similar to your Globecar in layout etc. Is it simply a case of connecting to the lighting circuit wiring and drilling a hole somewhere to house the 12v adapter?

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[DBK]

It will be worth thinking how you are going to use the fan, it will help decide where the sockets need to go. When it's very hot it can be useful being able to run the fan so it blows at you in bed at night, we can do this by standing the fan on a worktop by the sink but this may not work for other layouts. If you travel with a dog being able to hook the fan somewhere it can do some dog cooling will be appreciated.

You don't have to mount the socket on a vertical wall. If there is a suitable horizontal surface this is better as the plug won't be so print to falling out especially when travelling.

 

[Minxy]

Minxy Girl, it's a Malibu PVC quite similar to your Globecar in layout etc. Is it simply a case of connecting to the lighting circuit wiring and drilling a hole somewhere to house the 12v adapter?

Yup, that's what I did - from my photos you can see that I used one in a housing that held it below the upper locker as there wasn't a flat surface to put it in easily, for the one above the dinette I just drilled the hole and popped the socket in. I can't remember now if I was able to use the existing Wago connectors to connect the socket wires or whether I 'piggy-backed' them onto the lighting wires. One tip is to completely fit the sockets with the wires coming out the back and then connect the wires to the existing van wiring then you can get the length right, if you do it the other way it can be a pig especially if you have cut them a bit too tight so you struggle to connect the socket itself (I learned that the hard way the first time I ever put a socket in!).

 

[Pusscat]

I’ve used a 4 inch usb fan before in the van. Nice a quiet, but you may want something bigger. Got it from a petrol station a couple of years back for around £4. Noticed Morrison’s had some a few weeks back on special. Designed for pc /laptop use so not a heavy drain and surprisingly effective!

 

[mikebeaches]

[QUOTE="seakay22, post: 3954365, member: 61925"
...it's a Malibu PVC quite similar to your Globecar...
[/QUOTE]
I'd be really surprised if there isn't a 12 volt socket running off the habitation battery hidden away somewhere.

As mentioned, there would normally be one for a TV. If the socket is in an inconvenient position, it's easy to buy a 12 volt extension cable for when you want to use the fan.

 

[autorouter]

In case you didn't know, there are two styles of socket. Flush mounting (also called panel mounting or recessed) you cut a big hole and recess the socket into it. Surface mounting sockets often don't need a hole, just a couple of screws. Sometimes a small hole for the wire. Surface mounting ones can be single, double, or triple. For the hopelessly addicted (like me) there are quad versions too.
<Broken link removed>

Surface Mounted 12V Power Socket

Surface mounted, 12V power socket with rubber cover to make it splash proof when not in use. Suitable for marine or external vehicle use. Rated 16A.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

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[seakay22]

It will be worth thinking how you are going to use the fan, it will help decide where the sockets need to go. When it's very hot it can be useful being able to run the fan so it blows at you in bed at night, we can do this by standing the fan on a worktop by the sink but this may not work for other layouts. If you travel with a dog being able to hook the fan somewhere it can do some dog cooling will be appreciated.

You don't have to mount the socket on a vertical wall. If there is a suitable horizontal surface this is better as the plug won't be so print to falling out especially when travelling.

Similar to what you said I think, it will sit on the kitchen worktop mid vehicle and I can aim it at either the front seats or the bed so probably only need 1 socket as there's nothing else I'll use from it.

 

[seakay22]

Yup, that's what I did - from my photos you can see that I used one in a housing that held it below the upper locker as there wasn't a flat surface to put it in easily, for the one above the dinette I just drilled the hole and popped the socket in. I can't remember now if I was able to use the existing Wago connectors to connect the socket wires or whether I 'piggy-backed' them onto the lighting wires. One tip is to completely fit the sockets with the wires coming out the back and then connect the wires to the existing van wiring then you can get the length right, if you do it the other way it can be a pig especially if you have cut them a bit too tight so you struggle to connect the socket itself (I learned that the hard way the first time I ever put a socket in!).

Thanks again, that's really helpful, much aopreciated

 

[seakay22]

I’ve used a 4 inch usb fan before in the van. Nice a quiet, but you may want something bigger. Got it from a petrol station a couple of years back for around £4. Noticed Morrison’s had some a few weeks back on special. Designed for pc /laptop use so not a heavy drain and surprisingly effective!

I'll maybe get one of those for over the bed as there's a USB there. At the price they sell at if it's no good I'll throw it away.

 

[seakay22]

In case you didn't know, there are two styles of socket. Flush mounting (also called panel mounting) you cut a big hole and recess the socket into it. Surface mounting sockets often don't need a hole, just a couple of screws. Sometimes a small hole for the wire. Surface mounting ones can be single, double, or triple. For the hopelessly addicted (like me) there are quad versions too.
<Broken link removed>

Surface Mounted 12V Power Socket

Surface mounted, 12V power socket with rubber cover to make it splash proof when not in use. Suitable for marine or external vehicle use. Rated 16A.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Just the sort of advice I need, thanks. Recessed is neater I think, just need to check there's enough space behind else I'll end up with a hole with nothing to stick in it

 

[Treeeev]

Hi seakay22

I have a Malibu 600 DB2 which I have had since April 2016. Like you, I found no 12v sockets in the back, so I put 3 in as well as an additional mains socket.

The first 12v socket was on the near side beside the passenger seat. The second one (and the mains socket) are above the dinette seat, with the third on the offside under the bed. I sometimes use an electric cool box, so run new wiring back to the leisure battery rather than breaking into lighting circuits. It was easy to route the cables from the leisure battery to the first 12v socket, then through the dinette seat, to connect to second one above the seat and in the bathroom wall. The cable for the third socket continued through the low level cupboard in the bathroom, under the cassette, then around the back of the shower tray. It then crossed over to the other side of the van underneath the stainless steel channel, then over the fresh water tank.

Cheers

Trevor

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[Langtoftlad]

Look by the rear door hinge - Citroen Relay put one there.

If you're going to install a 12v socket, use something like this:

Can never have too many USB sockets these days.

 

[seakay22]

Thanks for the that Trevor, it's on my list of jobs to do. Seeing as you're the first person I've come across who's got a similar van how have you found it? Mine is a personal import from Germany and awaiting registration so it's travelled about 4 metres up and down the drive so far! Have to say, I'm impressed with the build quality so far and am hoping the swivel toilet and shower screen mechanism stands the test of time, are you happy with your van?

 

[seakay22]

Look by the rear door hinge - Citroen Relay put one there.

If you're going to install a 12v socket, use something like this:

Can never have too many USB sockets these days.

Good thinking, you're right. Hadn't thought of a dual socket

 

[Minxy]

The second one (and the mains socket) are above the dinette seat

Looking at your photo of the ones over the dinette, I'm a bit concerned about the safety of using them with the curtain stretched over which could be a fire risk - you should be able to loosen the last curtain hook/holder and move it along so it doesn't cover the sockets.

 

[pappajohn]

You may need to up a fuse a little bit,

Sorry DBK, but never uprate a fuse.
The fuse protects the wiring and if a higher amp fuse is fitted the wiring could be overloaded and melt.

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[hymerman]

I've found the 12v fans to be useless, I run a 240v fan from a small 300watt inverter , brilliant.

 

[DBK]

Sorry DBK, but never uprate a fuse.
The fuse protects the wiring and if a higher amp fuse is fitted the wiring could be overloaded and melt.

It depends, all the wiring in our van is the same thickness but the fuses vary depending on the load. I would expect a lighting circuit which migt have a 5A fuse could probably take a 10A fuse without problem - but the thickness of the wires would have to be checked.

 

[Minxy]

Not knowing the details of your MH I can't be specific bit you need to instal a cigar lighter socket somewhere and wire it to the 12 volt habitation system. If you have a multimeter use it to explore the wiring and find something live and connect to that. You may need to up a fuse a little bit, but the EB doesn't take a massive current.

Never ever uprate a fuse unless you know for a fact that the wiring is capable of the additional current that it may be asked to carry. If this was done and there was a fire I don't think the insurers would be happy and likely not pay out due to a 'dangerous' modification.

 

[Minxy]

It depends, all the wiring in our van is the same thickness but the fuses vary depending on the load. I would expect a lighting circuit which migt have a 5A fuse could probably take a 10A fuse without problem - but the thickness of the wires would have to be checked.

The lighting circuit wiring in our Globecar was already rated at 10 amp which is why I used it for the 12v sockets I put in, if not I would have done my own direct wiring.

 

[DBK]

Never ever uprate a fuse unless you know for a fact that the wiring is capable of the additional current that it may be asked to carry. If this was done and there was a fire I don't think the insurers would be happy and likely not pay out due to a 'dangerous' modification.

See my reply above. I would only advise people to work on their electrical systems if they are competent. Any DIY mod which caused a fire could risk the insurers washing their hands of it, even if the job was done correctly. This might happen if uncertified components were fitted such as USB sockets bought off eBay.

But everything in life is a risk.

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