Posted on 11/02/2012 21:13
Does anyone know if the cigarette lighter socket on a Fiat Ducato (2009) is isolated when the ignition is turned off? I want to trickle charge the battery with a solar panel, and this would be easier via the cigarette lighter socket rather than crocodile clips on the battery itself.
David
Posted on 15/08/2020 17:20
Bob
As you say, the battery compartment is already taken up with the battery and I assume there will be no room for the solar panel regulator and I’d be reluctant to assume that the regulator is fused. Your proposed arrangement will be fine either way ie. with a cigarette lighter type socket or a proprietor 12V DC plug and socket. However, you MUST still fit a fuse in the cable to the socket as near as possible to the battery positive terminal. If there’s space to fit an additional cable to the positive terminal for the socket cable then there must be space for an ‘in-Line’ fuse holder too. The solar panel you’re proposing to use is quite small and hence the charging current from it to the battery will be small too. The size of cable (in square millimetres) in theory need only be relatively small to carry the small current from the solar panel but in view of the fact that the cable is running under beds etc and through bulkheads you need to think about the robustness of the cable and the possibility of damaging it when items are resting on top of it.
I suggest you use a length of 3 core flexible cable from the battery compartment to your new socket with a cable Core size of 2.5mmsq. (You will struggle to buy this in 2 core format so simply cut the extra core off at either end) and fit a 10amp inline fuse/ holder inside the battery compartment as near to the positive terminal as practical.
Your 3 core cable will be over-rated for its electrical duty (but it will not be easily or inadvertently damaged) and your 10 amp fuse will be more than adequate to protect the cable. I hope this helps but post again if you’re not sure. Electrical safety is important.
Posted on 11/02/2012 21:13 by dtaDoes anyone know if the cigarette lighter socket on a Fiat Ducato (2009) is isolated when the ignition is turned off? I want to trickle charge the battery with a solar panel, and this would be easier via the cigarette lighter socket rather than crocodile clips on the battery itself.
David
Posted on 16/08/2020 09:05
Hi the cigarette lighter is definitely off when the ignition is off but you should be able to charge the battery via the jump start terminals under the bonnet on all post 2007 vans this also applies to the peugeot Boxer.
You will need to protect the solar charger with an in line fuse.
Good Luck
Posted on 13/08/2020 14:19 by plainbobFurther to Dave Nicholson's response above, I am not sure whether he is responding to my query or to the owner of the Fiat vehicle. For the sake of clarity may I explain more fully what I would like to do. The battery compartment on my caravan is almost completely taken up by the 115Ah battery and the sprung clamp-on battery connectors. I was considering purchasing a TP-solar 10w 12v solar panel (which comes with a regulator) in order to keep the battery trickle-charged during winter at a storage site about 10 miles from home. As I could not use the croc clips which come with the solar kit I would have to permanently clamp the cable into the battery connectors. I would then run the cable through the wall of the battery compartment (duly sealed around), across the floor of the under-bed storage area to a socket to be mounted on the wall of the storage area next to existing 13 amp and TV aerial sockets. This would be a convenient place to plug in the solar panel when required. I had thought of a cigarette/cigar lighter socket for this but now wonder whether a 12v DC plug and socket would be just as suitable?
Posted on 17/08/2020 07:35 by cyberyachtI was looking for the jump start points on my Carthago the other day but couldn't locate them. Not a lot of room under the lid mind you. Can anyone narrow down the search area?
dta
Motorhomer