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rewiring ciggy sockets
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:50 pm
by campergeek
I'm sure this has been covered before, but struggling to find a definitive answer. I want to run a waeco fridge (CDF25) from either front or back sockets, and have read that it's wise to upgrade the wiring/fuses. Might possibly get an adapter to also run phone charger, etc simultaneously. What grade wire should I use for this?
I've got the willinton kit, so sockets are currently being powered from my leisure battery. This seems to have it's own fuses, so do i still need to add an extra inline fuse? If so, what rating should this be?
Cheers for the help,
Alex
Re: rewiring ciggy sockets
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:28 pm
by g8dhe
Its probably best to use something like a 25 Amp rated cable, not that you will be anywhere near 25 Amps but that you want to minimise voltage drop as the run to he back of the vehicle is several metres long, thin walled 28/0.3mm which is 2mm² should be fine, its not a bad idea also to run both +12volt and also your own earth rather than depend on the state of the chassis for the return path, but its not essential. Provided you run from the existing fuses then you won't need an additional fuse, the fuses are there to protect the cable not the device.
Re: rewiring ciggy sockets
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:41 pm
by daveblueozzie
I fitted an extra power socket into the step area and another taken to the back of the bongo, and then wired them directly to the leisure battery using an in line fuses, i think i did use 25 amp cable for this.
I don't plug anything other than sat nav into the original front socket and the original back one only has the sink water pump plugged into it.
Other than that just rewire the original sockets with upgraded wire.
These are the power sockets i used.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Golf-Bora-Ciga ... 3eee27e5f5
Re: rewiring ciggy sockets
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:52 pm
by campergeek
ok, thanks - doesn't sound too complicated. Need to make a trip to maplins then

Re: rewiring ciggy sockets
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:48 pm
by g8dhe
Be rather wary of the cheap sockets on offer at Maplins, they are truly atrocious quality. The in-line rated at 15Amp FE42V is to be AVOIDED at all costs!
They do do a Car chassis socket A59FL that looks from the picture as better but I've not seen one in the flesh as it were to be sure.
Re: rewiring ciggy sockets
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:55 pm
by campergeek
don't think i'll change the actual sockets, just the wiring, but thanks anyway.