My wife and I are starting our caravan journey with retirement, and only newbies to the forum. I have many, many questions as I want to do things right the first time. We are looking at either a 21' or 23' Traveller caravan with the creature comforts the my beloved (ok Im getting older so me too) requested. The vehicle we have is a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the factory tow pack and has a 12 pin trailer plug fitted. No Anderson plug. The van which is yet to be built can have any wiring option we request bit Im looking at the simplest and neatest method. Ive been advised on several methods by which to electrically join the car to the van but must admit Im getting more confused than advice. The van will have 2 x solar panels with 2 deep cycle batteries fitted.
Im told the van which will have a DC/DC converter will charge the battery in the van from both the solar and trickle from the car. If on 12 volt whilst moving the fridge will draw power from the van battery only?
Also the fridge doesn't draw power solely from the car unless you have a separate Anderson Plug fitted?
Finally Im getting ESC fitted whilst the van is being manufactured. Do I need a separate Anderson plug for the ESC alone. Ive been told there are a couple of different manufacturers of ESC out there. Some require the Anderson and some don't.
Any advice is greatly appreciated as I only want to do this once and get it done right.
Cheers, Andy n Al
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Andy n Al
Tug: 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Den: 2016 Bailey Rangefinder Nebula.......waiting on delivery
Suggest you get a separate Anderson plug for the esc. Speaking from experience the red cable on a seven pin fitting says fit to hole 2 but being an esc it should be wired into hole number 7. Mine being in the wrong hole burnt to esc box out result $1200 repair bill.
You did not say which ESC you are having installed. Al-Ko recommend a red Anderson plug so you can disconnect the ESC on very rough roads. The other model is wired to the house battery.
The fridge should work through pin 9 of your 12 pin plug (assuming you are getting an absorption fridge.) The DC-DC charger if it is big enough (30 - 40 A) should be cabled through an Anderson plug via cable that is at least 6 gauge size.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
