Charging from cigarette socket?

[veebs]

Hi all,

Longer term, I plan to install a Traxide DBS, but it's pretty damn unlikely i'll get to that before Christmas, so a question - can I use the cigarette socket at the centre console for now?

My thoughts are:

Put my battery box in the rear footwell, and connect it into the cigarette socket using a terminal ring to cigarette socket adapter. Then, plug the fridge (60L Evakool) into the battery.

We're going to be driving for about 5 hours, with regular stops (3 year old in the back...) so i'm just looking for a way to keep the fridge running whilst stretching legs, having lunch etc. May not be needed, but I have all the gear already, so no cost to throw it in for extra peace of mind. I'd fully charge the battery before leaving, meaning the car is only providing minimal charging effort, plus whatever power is used by the (pre-cooled) fridge.

Is there anything about this that is a big 'no no'? I'm not going to be setting fire to the car, or blowing fuses etc am I?

[goofyr]

I don’t know if you can attach the battery directly into the cig socket but I’m looking to do something similar. Though I have an Ark Powerpack and I needed to get a dc-dc charger specific for the box to use the cig socket. I’m only using it to top up the box.

[trout1105]

I don’t know if you can attach the battery directly into the cig socket but I’m looking to do something similar. Though I have an Ark Powerpack and I needed to get a dc-dc charger specific for the box to use the cig socket. I’m only using it to top up the box.

My ARK battery boxes came with a AC-DC charger AND a DC-DC charger that runs from a cigarette lighter 12v plug [thumbsupbig]

[craig a]

There should not be any issues although bear in mind the cig socket is usually only rated at 10amps which could possibly be exceeded if direct charging a part-discharged battery plus supplying the fridge power -worth checking fuse size. Also unless the cig socket switches off with the engine then both main and second batteries will be permantly connected together so the fridge could discharge both easily rectified by unplugging cig socket overnight.

[loanrangie]

Set the fridge cutout on its lowest setting and just power it from the car, i usually turn mine off overnight and sits still around 4c in the morning.

[Mike57]

I have done exactly that, I have a portable battery in the rear I used to charge it from the Cig socket in the rear compartment. To limit the charging current I used a Redarc 6 amp DC to DC charger so that I can't draw more than 6 amps from the cig socket. If you tried this without doing that you may well blow a fuse.

I have now run high current cables down the back and installed a merit socket but i still use the 6 Amp DC to Dc charger in line and it works fine. Of course you can charge it faster with a higher current but if you are driving most of the day its not really an issue.

One issue with the cig cocket is the plugs can fall out so you need to watch it. I use a wireless thermometer in the fridge to keep an eye on the fridge temperature. Got a cheap indoor/outdoor wireless one from Jaycar and it works fine.

[veebs]

Thanks all - Yes, the cig plug isn't ideal, but will do until I fit the DBS. The fridge is connected to the battery box with screw terminals and an anderson plug, so if the cigarette plug comes out, the fridge shouldn't stop

The circuit can handle 15A apparently, and the fridge draws 7A flat out, so hopefully enough overhead before blowing fuses...

[Markf]

Something to aware of is that IF the battery is connected to the lighter socket directly you'll get the single beep if you try to lock the car with the fob button and it will not lock. At least that's what happens with my car with the battery connected to the socket in the rear but it may well be VERY different in a D3 or D4.

[Chops]

We spent 12 days in Tassie with the fridge plugged straight into the lighter socket in the D2. We were on the move most days, but never had any issues at all.
The D4 has Tims DB setup, but before I installed that, I did the same as the D2 for a long weekend up to Albury. Again, no issues.

[veebs]

So for anyone reading this - everything worked perfectly. No blown fuses, and impressively, the cigarette plug was able to keep the battery topped up enough to keep the fridge running for a week straight. (60L Evakool, at -14 degrees in fridge/freezer mode).

The battery box did take a bit of charge when we got home again though, so not sure how long this setup would have run for without intervention!