Member Since: 15 Dec 2017
Location: Tunbridge Wells
Posts: 48
Campsite Power -> Power the car (sockets etc)
Hi there, we are off camping this summer for the first time with the D4, am I able to power the car through the towbar socket and use inverters from the 12v sockets in the car? Or am I better off just buying a 16a inverter to give power to the tent for chargers etc?
8th Jul 2019 4:09 pm
stew 46
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: cornwall
Posts: 10147
Just get a 240 site hook up lead , then you can plug in what you want and not feck your battery up -------------------------------------------------
if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
D3 SE 05,
110 s wagon 300 tdi SOLD
h top transit
crew cab transit
transit connect
ausa dumper, muck truck .
peljob 2.5 digger
06 L 200 crew cab
8th Jul 2019 4:14 pm
Nonsoloinglese
Member Since: 15 Dec 2017
Location: Tunbridge Wells
Posts: 48
Yes fecking up the battery was one of my worries!!
8th Jul 2019 4:16 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26775
If it’s just charging phones etc. Then you can fit a jump wire between the 2 relay terminals, in the relay pack which lives in the fuse box, behind the glove box. This will then make the accessory sockets front and rear live all the time, from the cars battery.
All you then need to do is plug some double usb adaptors into the accessory sockets and you can charge loads of stuff.
If your battery is good, then that will not discharge it too much. I bought a simple plug in volt meter to fit into the accessory socket to keep an eye on the volts.
This weekend just gone, I went camping and had an Engel fridge running at a very low level (1) plugged in to the accessory socket in the boot, and the battery voltage was steady at 12.4 for 2 days. It then dipped below 12 yesterday morning, so I started car and let it charge up for a while.
An inverter would however eat your battery very quickly.
ooh !! "fit a jump wire between the 2 relay terminals, in the relay pack which lives in the fuse box, behind the glove box" sounds interesting.
Is it obvious what to do if drop the glove box ? I'm also thinking that, if I do do this, I'll put a switch in the circuit so it can be enabled when i want and not all the time.
8th Jul 2019 5:00 pm
stew 46
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: cornwall
Posts: 10147
I also used one of these for a few years and still got it
They do a cheaper one but this one is really good and get you out of trouble for years -------------------------------------------------
if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
D3 SE 05,
110 s wagon 300 tdi SOLD
h top transit
crew cab transit
transit connect
ausa dumper, muck truck .
peljob 2.5 digger
06 L 200 crew cab
8th Jul 2019 5:34 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26775
There is a thread on how to do it on here somewhere. It involves pulling the relays out. Then making up 2 short jump leads with male spade terminals at each end. You then plug each jumper into the output terminal connections of each relay, in the relay board.
8th Jul 2019 6:24 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26775
Here you go. There are actually 2 relays, the cigarette (right hand console socket) has a separate relay, just do the same to that one.
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