Splicing Into Fridge 12V?

[longislandcampe]

I was curious about installing an LED light strip on the side of my TT, directly underneath my awning. I have a 16' extension cable and was thinking about running the extension cable down the roof vent for the fridge and then come out behind the fridge.

To power the lights I wanted to splice into the 12V line for the fridge. What exactly is the 12V line for the fridge powering? It seems to be a thicket gauge wire then I thought it would be.

This method would give me a very clean install so I hope it's a good route to take.

[longislandcampe]

Well, we have decided to go a different route. The power cable for our awning goes through the trailer wall and into the front storage area. We're going to drill a new hole in the wall and then splice into the wiring for the storage light. It looks to be a VERY clean install once it's finished.

[tpi]

I'm assuming you propose to tap into the 12 volt source of the fridge. Not wiring internal to the fridge.

Most of the 6 cubic ft. two way refrigerators draw less than 3 amps DC, and if the climate control is off and the door light is off, it is less than a half amp on mine.

I'd ask the thread to be moved to tech issues for input. I'd determine the power consumption of the LED light string and post that. If it is an amp or two I see no issue. The other potential problem would be some kind of power supply noise if one exists on the LED light set. But if it is only drawing an amp or two I can't see how that could damage fridge circuit board.

[Harvey51]

Likely there is a 12 V supply wire underneath the vehicle. Ours has one leading to a connector for a trailer and another charging the house battery. Maybe too low down for your project.

What about tapping into an existing exterior light?

[jwstewar]

I tapped the 12-volt wires that power my fridge. There is apparently something else on the circuit for my fridge as Jayco just tapped the wires for the fridge and then they continue on somewhere else. I did exactly what you are describing. Up the awning pole, across the roof about 14-16" and down the fridge vent and tapped the 12-volt. The control box is mounted to the inside of the fridge side cover with the IR receiver sticking out.

[tenbear]

Most everything in my MH is wired with #14 wire, probably because almost everything is fused at 15 Amps.

Mine has the refrig, water heater and the furnace all on the same circuit. None of them use 12v to produce heat.

[longislandcampe]

I'm still debating this....

[epusher]

The 14 awg is probably the smallest size the manufacurer could run with acceptable line loss. I would hate to fry a fridge circuit board at $100+ per vs just a new run of wire from the DC fuse panel. You can still route it up and through the refrig compartment.

[2112]

Mine has 2 14 awg (orange/white) in parallel. For the current draw that seems to be overkill. I was going to see if the fuse is powering one and the other is feeding something downstream but got sidetracked. I decided not to tap into it.

[rrupert]

The problem I would have with it is that the fridge circuit is a dedicated line and even though LEDs are very low current draw you don't want anything that could mess with that circuit. I believe you value keeping the fridge cold. Try looking for a nearby light circuit to tie into. If the LEDs have an inline fuse or you could add one maybe tying into the fridge line would be more doable.

[longislandcampe]

The fridge is only AC/gas. Do you think it would be a problem to splice the led strip right into the fridge line?

[cpmath]

I wouldn't do it, if you blow the fridge its gonna be expensive to replace or repair and it is very apparent you're not sure what you're doing so I would pass that up. Why do you need 12V lights on the awning anyway?

[rrupert]

If you have a three way fridge it is probably the 12 volt feed to run it on 12 volts. And, yes it could be for the control board, but it doesn't require heavy wiring.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Mine powers the control board on the back of the fridge, the inside light and front panel indicator lights.

I suspect it is a dedicated circuit and doesn't power anything else except the fridge.