Weird 12 volt problem ~ Solved!!!

[_DJ_1]

I wanted to relocate the 12v receptacle to a more convenient place for my Engel. Instead of moving the old one and leaving a hole I went to O Reillys Auto Parts and bought the same exact one that I have been using.

I mounted it about 15" apart from the other one. It won't run the Engel. It will run my inverter and my thermoelectric cooler but not the Engel!!! The original still runs the Engel just fine!!

:h:h:h

[_DJ_1]

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
Went down to Idaho Marine today and got a 12 volt receptacle rated up to 20 amps. 8 gauge wire and connectors. Installed it all and my Engel runs great!!!

The automotive 12v went in the junk drawer!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

DJ

You do have a fuse in line correct. Your statement earlier (wired direct to the battery) suggests maybe not.

Ummm....no. The cooler has a fuse. Should I add an inline?

Yes. You are installing an unfused socket tied directly to the battery. Bad things can happen.

20 amp inline fuse installed. Thank you!!

Very good. Makes me sleep better....:)
Last question (hopefully not to late) wire gauge is 12AWG or larger?

Yes, 8 ga, but I couldn't find an inline fuse with 8 ga so I have a small section of 10 ga.

[peirek]

~DJ~ wrote:

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
Went down to Idaho Marine today and got a 12 volt receptacle rated up to 20 amps. 8 gauge wire and connectors. Installed it all and my Engel runs great!!!

The automotive 12v went in the junk drawer!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

DJ

You do have a fuse in line correct. Your statement earlier (wired direct to the battery) suggests maybe not.

Ummm....no. The cooler has a fuse. Should I add an inline?

Yes. You are installing an unfused socket tied directly to the battery. Bad things can happen.

20 amp inline fuse installed. Thank you!!

Very good. Makes me sleep better....:)
Last question (hopefully not to late) wire gauge is 12AWG or larger?

[_DJ_1]

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
Went down to Idaho Marine today and got a 12 volt receptacle rated up to 20 amps. 8 gauge wire and connectors. Installed it all and my Engel runs great!!!

The automotive 12v went in the junk drawer!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

DJ

You do have a fuse in line correct. Your statement earlier (wired direct to the battery) suggests maybe not.

Ummm....no. The cooler has a fuse. Should I add an inline?

Yes. You are installing an unfused socket tied directly to the battery. Bad things can happen.

20 amp inline fuse installed. Thank you!!

[Stranger]

mkirsch wrote:

"Won't run" how? What happens when you plug it in and turn it on? Does it pop fuses, or stand up and sing the Star Spangled Banner, or what?

You owe me a monitor and keyboard for that!!

I'm an IT guy and I WILL use that!!

Thanks.

[peirek]

~DJ~ wrote:

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
Went down to Idaho Marine today and got a 12 volt receptacle rated up to 20 amps. 8 gauge wire and connectors. Installed it all and my Engel runs great!!!

The automotive 12v went in the junk drawer!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

DJ

You do have a fuse in line correct. Your statement earlier (wired direct to the battery) suggests maybe not.

Ummm....no. The cooler has a fuse. Should I add an inline?

Yes. You are installing an unfused socket tied directly to the battery. Bad things can happen.

[RoyB]

I am not a big fan for using anyof the 12VDC cigarette lighter type plugs. If I really really have to use one I will get a matched set from BLUE SEA that is rated for the high current needed and then I will direct connect this socket directly to a proper heavy AWG wire to the battery bank.

Have seen too many things go up in smoke around my high current two way radios to have any faith in them.



All of my INVERTER installations have been installed with remote control feature as close to the battery bank as possible with heavy gauge wiring and grounds. Then I run a 120VAC drop cord neatly hidden in WIREMOLD to where I need the resulting 120VAC coming from the Inverter.

Just my thoughts
Roy Ken

[wa8yxm]

jhilley wrote:
I am also wondering what an Engel is. It may be that the socket is just slightly different and the center positive connector on the plug doesn't reach the contact in the socket.

I will answer that one.. An "Engel" is a high effiency compressor driven fridge or freezer... Exactly like the one to my immed right.

[_DJ_1]

peirek wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
Went down to Idaho Marine today and got a 12 volt receptacle rated up to 20 amps. 8 gauge wire and connectors. Installed it all and my Engel runs great!!!

The automotive 12v went in the junk drawer!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

DJ

You do have a fuse in line correct. Your statement earlier (wired direct to the battery) suggests maybe not.

Ummm....no. The cooler has a fuse. Should I add an inline?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"Heeeere's Mexi"

SNAP, SNIP, YANK, TWIST, CURSE, BEND, SPROING!

[westend]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I am going to take a wild burro stab here and offer a suggestion that the "new" socket is not allowing some accessories full electrical contact between socket and plug. I went mad-dog with this problem several years ago and then did a Jack Nicholson with a pair of diagonal cutting pliers.

Now, everything is MARINCO marine grade, and no more poltergeist grade problems.

Poltergeist grade problems....stored for future use, lol.

[peirek]

~DJ~ wrote:
Went down to Idaho Marine today and got a 12 volt receptacle rated up to 20 amps. 8 gauge wire and connectors. Installed it all and my Engel runs great!!!

The automotive 12v went in the junk drawer!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

DJ

You do have a fuse in line correct. Your statement earlier (wired direct to the battery) suggests maybe not.

[_DJ_1]

Went down to Idaho Marine today and got a 12 volt receptacle rated up to 20 amps. 8 gauge wire and connectors. Installed it all and my Engel runs great!!!

The automotive 12v went in the junk drawer!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

DJ

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I am going to take a wild burro stab here and offer a suggestion that the "new" socket is not allowing some accessories full electrical contact between socket and plug. I went mad-dog with this problem several years ago and then did a Jack Nicholson with a pair of diagonal cutting pliers.

Now, everything is MARINCO marine grade, and no more poltergeist grade problems.

[Reddog1]

I have had male plugs that work only when you hold it in the socket with your hand. You push it in, and it will push itself out just enough to loose contact. Inly solution I found was to replace the male plug.

I understand there are at least two different female receptacles, 5 amp and 15 amp (I think). From what I have seen, the boat shops have much better female receptacles, but you gotta pay.

Wayne