Member Since: 05 Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 467
Melted 12 v plug fault... help!
I have just arrived in the Spanish Pyrenees after a leisurely drive through France and an overnight camp in the roof tent in the worlds biggest thunderstorm last night!
Anyhow, on arrival at the camp site in France my fridge which was plugged into the rear 12 v socket in the boot had blown its fuse in the lighter plug, I changed it and all was working.
On arrival in Spain the fuse has blown again but this time the whole 12 v plug has melted!
Any ideas anyone? I will have to try and find a replacement plug while over here... but why has it melted?
26th Feb 2010 7:17 pm
roamingman
Member Since: 25 Jun 2008
Location: aberdeenshire
Posts: 525
We have just bought a fridge (engal) after looking at a lot of advice on the foum, and think your problem could be fridge taking to mutch power through 12v socet, depends on your make of fridge.
sure more advice will followconvoy For Heroes record holder (348)
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26th Feb 2010 7:39 pm
thomash
Member Since: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 68
I had (almost) the same.
Plug melted but fuse had not blown.
Fuse not blowing seems more worrying to me than melting of the plug.
Thomas
Had a similar problem with a cheap socket doubler - the spring inside it (holds the fuse against the contact) had got so hot it was no longer a spring, more a kettle element. Fuse had failed to blow (10a) but not high enough draw to kill the main 15A fuse. Plastic was too hot to touch.
After ditching that the replacemebt did get warm (Dometic fridge pulls 8A) but only warm, no more. I'd be looking at replacing the plug and when doing so, take the opportunity to put an ammeter across it when the fridge is on full power to see what it's pulling.I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
26th Feb 2010 10:13 pm
Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
As NoDo$h says, it's most likely because of high resistance across the plug and socket (they can work loose when car is moving).
I fitted a marine plug & socket. It has two pins and the plug and socket screw together. I've used this setup with my Engel for years without problems.
Best Wishes,
PeterThe Bearded Dragon
27th Feb 2010 3:07 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Obvious question, can the fridge breath, its vents clear?? If not it may be overworked and pulling too much juice. There was a fire where a D3 was trashed (ISTR) couple of years ago where the fridge had been buried in other stuff.
PS good luck with that mega storm hitting Spain & France this weekend. Might get a bit interesting in a roof tent with 100mph winds!
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