What's this heavy cable for?

[NorwayNeil]

Hi All, Got another question about my recently acquired Sunlight

T66 please.
It doesn't have a TV or even a 12v socket in the TV area but I removed the panel hoping to find somewhere to tap into 12v to put in an extra USB & a 12v socket. Instead, all i find is 3m of heavy gauge cable, bare ends, no power to it. I thought it might have been for the heated floor or hot water, but they both work. Any ideas what is supposed to be for?

 

[Rob Turner]

Power for the TV

 

[Tombola]

Probably going to have to trace to the other end, could be an added extra from previous owner, or a future proof addition from manufacturer.
Have you done a continuity test on it yet

 

[Figaro]

Possibly for an option you don't have ? Air conditioning maybe, but looking at the cable colours it perhaps isn't 230 volt cable so another option more likely.
If everything works, I'd tape it up and put it back

 

[NorwayNeil]

Probably going to have to trace to the other end, could be an added extra from previous owner, or a future proof addition from manufacturer.
Have you done a continuity test on it yet

It disappears out of sight under the lockers, I'll try a continuity check tomorrow. Previous owner didn't know anything about it, before him was the original owner, haven't spoke to him but seems like he didn't want a TV, etc. and it's way too thick anyway. From there backwards there's only the bathroom and then bedroom, so wouldn't be for an oven or microwave. Weird!

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[NorwayNeil]

Possibly for an option you don't have ? Air conditioning maybe, but looking at the cable colours it perhaps isn't 230 volt cable so another option more likely.
If everything works, I'd tape it up and put it back

Yes, AC is about the only option it could be. It was made for Norwegian market so colours might be EU, I'll check that too, then get the insulating take out & look elsewhere for a 12v supply. Thnx.

 

[NorwayNeil]

Power for the TV

I think that cable would power the screens in Times Square.

 

[pappajohn]

but looking at the cable colours it perhaps isn't 230 volt cable so another option more likely.

European 230vac colours.

Looks like 2.5mm² or maybe 4mm²

 

[autorouter]

Since there is plenty of cable exposed, you may find the cable size, and other info, embossed on the cable sheath. I find that a torch shone at a shallow angle makes it easier to read. If it's original equipment, it may even have the function printed on it.

 

[NorwayNeil]

Since there is plenty of cable exposed, you may find the cable size, and other info, embossed on the cable sheath. I find that a torch shone at a shallow angle makes it easier to read. If it's original equipment, it may even have the function printed on it.

I should have posted that originally. Looks like it's 2.5sq mm wires, neatly cropped at the ends.

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[mitzimad]

i would look around the consumer unit for the other end as that will be a 240 cable i would think maybe 240 for a tv?

 

[Miggs]

Solar maybe?

 

[NorwayNeil]

The cable does go to the EBL119 area under the LH seat, brown & white are not connected (though brown goes through a 10A fuse first), the black is connected to a large connector strip alongside the EBL, can't see what happens to it after that, probably earth. Since the mystery cable is 3 core & pre-connected to a 10 amp fuse, it must be intended for a 240v +\- 2,000w device, ie: air-con. I'll be getting solar fitted soon but not air-con, so I'll use it to connect loads of USB's. Thanks very much everyone.

 

[autorouter]

The cable does go to the EBL119 area under the LH seat, brown & white are not connected (though brown goes through a 10A fuse first), the black is connected to a large connector strip alongside the [Broken Link Removed], can't see what happens to it after that, probably earth. Since the mystery cable is 3 core & pre-connected to a 10 amp fuse, it must be intended for a 240v +\- 2,000w device, ie: air-con.

It is definitely NOT 240V wiring. That 10A fuse is a standard low-voltage fuse, used for 12V wiring. That connector strip is the kind of connection used in 12V distribution connections. I don't know what it's for, but I know it's not for a 240V 2000W device.

 

[NorwayNeil]

It is definitely NOT 240V wiring. That 10A fuse is a standard low-voltage fuse, used for 12V wiring. That connector strip is the kind of connection used in 12V distribution connections. I don't know what it's for, but I know it's not for a 240V 2000W device.

I'm not an electrician but thought that a 3 core cable means one of them is earth (or 2 phase?). So would you say it's likely for solar since that is more likely to be pre-wired than A/C? Tnx

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[autorouter]

Since the mystery cable is 3 core & pre-connected to a 10 amp fuse,

It's hard to tell from the photos, but does that brown wire go through the 10A fuse, then to that unused crimped pin on the brown wire? Also are there any wires going in to the 3-way connector (Solar) on the front of the EBL?

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I have found 240v cables tend to be white sheathed. Black sheathed tend to be 12v.
I extended the 12v supply for the garage socket under the cupboard bases, and toilet pod, then up behind the fixed seat to the same area you're looking at, all fairly straight forward. I seem to recollect that cable, and thought it had some lighting duty.
Mike.

 

[autorouter]

I'm not an electrician but thought that a 3 core cable means one of them is earth (or 2 phase?). So would you say it's likely for solar since that is more likely to be pre-wired than A/C?

The main difference between cable for 240V and 12V is the insulation is thicker and more robust because the voltage is higher. That means 240V cable can be used for 12V circuits, especially in MHs where the thicker more robust insulation is an advantage. As BouncyBoatFolk says, often they keep white-sheathed cables for 240V, and black-sheathed for 12V. But that's not so universal that you can assume it without checking.

 

[NorwayNeil]

It's hard to tell from the photos, but does that brown wire go through the 10A fuse, then to that unused crimped pin on the brown wire? Also are there any wires going in to the 3-way connector (Solar) on the front of the EBL?

Yes, brown white goes through three fuse on the stack of 4 at RH side of EBL.
No wires in Block 6 (Solar) nor Blocks 5 & 7 either side of it.

 

[NorwayNeil]

I have found 240v cables tend to be white sheathed. Black sheathed tend to be 12v.
I extended the 12v supply for the garage socket under the cupboard bases, and toilet pod, then up behind the fixed seat to the same area you're looking at, all fairly straight forward. I seem to recollect that cable, and thought it had some lighting duty.
Mike.

My T66 has a 12v light and a 240v socket in the garage. For me, it's a shorter/easier run from the EBL but even so, I can't see how to run anything without unscrewing most of the lockers & prying out light fittings. My previous (2003) Dethleffs had easily accessible 12v wires all over, but on this I can't find anything outside the EBL except this one wire.

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[NorwayNeil]

The main difference between cable for 240V and 12V is the insulation is thicker and more robust because the voltage is higher. That means 240V cable can be used for 12V circuits, especially in MHs where the thicker more robust insulation is an advantage. As BouncyBoatFolk says, often they keep white-sheathed cables for 240V, and black-sheathed for 12V. But that's not so universal that you can assume it without checking.

How to check?

 

[MisterB]

pre wired for satellite dish connections? one live (+12v), one ignition (+ 12v) to lower the dish when the ignition is turned on and the earth (-12v)?

i found similar wires and also wires for solar panels in my Adria (behind a panel) - none of them were connected to anything BUT they were labelled up

 

[NorwayNeil]

pre wired for satellite dish connections? one live (+12v), one ignition (+ 12v) to lower the dish when the ignition is turned on and the earth (-12v)?

i found similar wires and also wires for solar panels in my Adria (behind a panel) - none of them were connected to anything BUT they were labelled up

I wish mine were

 

[NorwayNeil]

I wish mine were

That explains why there's 3 wires & why the colour codes jive with 12 volts, thanks MisterB!

 

[MisterB]

That explains why there's 3 wires & why the colour codes jive with 12 volts, thanks MisterB!

It's hard to tell from the photos, but does that brown wire go through the 10A fuse, then to that unused crimped pin on the brown wire? Also are there any wires going in to the 3-way connector (Solar) on the front of the EBL?

i think 10A is the recommended fuse size for a motorised sat dish (inc control unit) - autorouter knows much more about this than i do, so take his advice, i am only trying to help to identify what the wires MIGHT be there for!

even though it might be intended for a motorised sat dish - that doesnt mean it cant be used for something else !

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[autorouter]

I don't know much about satellite dishes, but if you want to get power to that brown wire you could use that unused 12-way connector on the front of the EBL. You will see Pin1 labelled in the lower left, and Pin3 labelled in the lower right. Pin4 is above Pin1, and the others follow in that sequence.

There are several fuses labelled 'Reserve'. For example Reserve2. Those are for extra circuits to be added by the user. For example, Reserve2 goes to Pin6 (pos) and Pin11 (neg). The Reserve2 fuse is 15A, but if there's a 10A fuse already on the wire that 15A fuse is only there for extra safety.

The connector is a Mate'N'Lok (MNL) type, available from auto electrics suppliers such as this one.

Mate N Lok Universal Connector Pair - 12 Way

12 Way Mate N Lok connectors for 0.5-2.0mm² cable provide secure and robust multiple connections. Supplied as a pair of male/female housings with all terminals.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

The wire with the crimped pin is pushed into the connector shell from the back. A pair of small barbs lock it into place with a slight click. They are a bit difficult (not impossible) to remove without the special removal tool, so make extra sure you have the right slot before sliding it in.

It looks like the negative is already connected to that distribution block, so maybe no need to connect the negative to Pin11.

You can double-check that Pin6 is the right pin because it will be +12V with the 'Reserve2' fuse inserted, but nothing when the fuse is removed.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

My T66 has a 12v light and a 240v socket in the garage. For me, it's a shorter/easier run from the EBL but even so, I can't see how to run anything without unscrewing most of the lockers & prying out light fittings. My previous (2003) Dethleffs had easily accessible 12v wires all over, but on this I can't find anything outside the EBL except this one wire.

I unscrewed the floor of the r/ hand cupboard, and interrupted the 12v supply there using a Wiska box to get power to the area required. Having easy access to that underfloor area is handy as it makes a useful storage area out of sight.
Mike.

 

[TonyEmm]

European 230vac colours.

Looks like 2.5mm² or maybe 4mm²

European (IEC) Wire Color Codes

• Phase 1 - Brown.
• Phase 2 - Black.
• Phase 3 - Grey.
• Neutral - Blue.
• Ground - Green with Yellow Stripe.

 

[NorwayNeil]

Thanks all. Most likely the 3-core cable is pre-fitted to accommodate a sat' dish. Whatever, I've used it to accommodate USB's & a 12v socket.
A week ago, I knew the functions of the EBL, I know a lot more about it now, plus I've learnt what MNL is.