Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Engel Fridge Wiring Engel Fridge Wiring
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Mar 2004
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
Engel Fridge Wiring
Have just installed an Engel fridge, however the cable it comes with has a cigarette lighter type connection.

Not happy with that as it will get knocked out etc. Therefore thinking along the lines of putting a standard automotive DIN plug on the end. Only problem with this is that it would mean no heat sensitive fuse which is housed in the cigaretter lighter plug which is currently on the end.

Anyone proud of their wiring solutions out there?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 775
Hello ctc,

A heat sensitive fuse which is housed in the cigaretter lighter plug? Doesn't make much sense to me. What does it protect that can't be protected with a fuse before or after the plug? What a heat sensitive fuse can do than a standard automotive fuse can't?

I wouldn't worry abut this fuse at all. Just wire the fridge from the battery through a separate 25A fuse using 39 amp automotive wire (4 sq. mm). You should remember that the surge current when the compressor is switched on can be well in excess of 50A. DIN connectors are rated at 10A cont., so it'd be a good idea to use an uprated connector. Have a look at this: http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.c.../battisol.html (item Ref: PP50R or Ref: PP50S)

I'd use a 39 amp thinwall cable (56/0.30mm, 4mm2, (item Ref:39) to keep resistance low.

Any more queries, just let me know.


------------------
Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info
__________________
----------------
Roman (UK)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Mar 2004
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
Many thanks, order placed!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 227
For anyone in the US with a similar problem, West Marine can supply marine-grade electrical accessories, including this outlet:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...roductId=30763

Also Halfords in the UK do a great 4-way cigar-type connector for 7.99, after thousands of miles in North and South Africa and North America I've *never* had a plug dropout.

Cheers,
Nick.

------------------
Nick Taylor
www.exerro.com
-----------------------
1996 BMW F650
1996 300 TDi 90
1997 NAS D90 ST #685
1998 Camel Trophy 110 CT47
__________________
Nick Taylor, a Colorado Mack'em
blog | vehicles
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Mar 2004
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
Nice touch with the locking type plug.

Re plugs falling out, you're a lucky man. I own a 110 where the sockets are fitted either side of the gearstick, by the time you have done a couple of gear changes or bumped around a bit you'll have lost connection on them both. All part of the beautiful and thoughtfully engineered dashboard!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 227
Hi,
I mounted my 4-ways on the dash in front of the passenger side (the left side). Here's a picture of it:



(Yes, I know it's untidy, it was a work in progress at this point)!

On the 90, it's wired in to the aux battery, on the 110 it's on it's original cigar plug, plugged into the cigar lighter socket if and when I need it.

Cheers,
Nick.

------------------
Nick Taylor
www.exerro.com
------------------
1996 BMW F650
1996 300 TDi 90
1997 NAS D90 ST #685
1998 Camel Trophy 110 CT47

[This message has been edited by nickt (edited 16 March 2004).]
__________________
Nick Taylor, a Colorado Mack'em
blog | vehicles
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Hi

I have a 40L Engel and was concerned by: "You should remember that the surge current when the compressor is switched on can be well in excess of 50A."

If this is so, why do Engel only request a 15A fuse on a direct 12V DC feed?

As to the "heat sensitive fuse" there is one in the cig plug fitting that Engel supplies:

"A special thermal 10A fuse that is to protect against the application of reverse polarity" - it can damage the inverter it seems.

------------------
Enzo
BUNDUBASHER.com
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 775
Quote:
Originally posted by Bundubasher:
... well in excess of 50A. If this is so, why do Engel only request a 15A fuse on a direct 12V DC feed?

Enzo,

A turn-on current surge lasts several miliseconds, a fast acting quick blow fuse withstands 300% overcurent for 0.15 - 5 sec.

Quote:
Originally posted by Bundubasher:
"A special thermal 10A fuse that is to protect against the application of reverse polarity" - it can damage the inverter it seems.
Protection against thermal overload and reverse current are two completely different things; the former requires a thermistor or bimetalic fuse/circuit breaker, the latter a rectifier diode. One cannot do both, and frankly there's no need for it.




------------------
Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info
__________________
----------------
Roman (UK)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 22 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Still doesn't make sense as the above was quoted from my Engel "manual". I understand your cautionary advice but what I don't understand is circumventing Engel's recomended procedures (if you decide to use the OE lighter socket fitment) - surely this will make any claim you make, under warranty, invalid? If you are direct wiring your fridge to the battery they still only advise using a 15V fuse (on the pos line).

------------------
Enzo
BUNDUBASHER.com
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 22 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 775
Enzo,

By way of general explanation of vehicle electrics - fuses are there to protect the wiring, not the devices connected to it. Hence, the fuse value needs to correspond to the current rating of the wires used to connect the device(s) to the battery, not the rated power of the device(s).

If you don't feel comfortable with wiring your own electrical circuits, better follow manufacturer's advice. It not always works the way you'd want it to, but at least it's safe.


------------------
Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info
__________________
----------------
Roman (UK)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 23 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Well if I pay over £600 for a fridge unit then I am not about to start playing silly buggers with the wiring and thereby voiding my warranty - manufacturers usually like any legal reason, such as custom wiring solutions, to wriggle out of their "care of duty" to us customers.

Hell, I don't have that much money to play with, so when it's out of warranty fine - wire it up however you see fit - but until then I'd stick to manufacturers guidelines.

------------------
Enzo
BUNDUBASHER.com
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:52.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top