Hi all,

I hope I can find someone that knows a bit more than me about the Fiat switched Power Outlet. :worship: I've posted this in general tech talk as I can't imagine my Qubo wiring is much different to a Multipla, etc, etc.

I've just put a leisure battery in the boot, and have run a fused lead from the leisure battery to a cig lighter plug that goes into the centre console ciggie lighter socket/power outlet.

The outlet is live only when the ignition key is in the "ON" position (MAR?). It goes dead when the ignition is off, and also when the engine is cranking. To me this looks remarkably like the output I would see from a split-charge relay, except perhaps that the output is live in the on position when the engine is not running....

Can anyone see any reasons why I cant just leave the leisure battery plugged in to the cig lighter in the centre console? (If it is ok, there is a spare power outlet plug hiding in the centre console that I could wire to permanently...:idea

Cheers,

Lee

P.S. I've seen some posts about the 12V outlet, but I'm not sure they answered the above.

I can't see it being any different to leaving a SatNav or phone charger plugged in permanently, and I'm sure loads of people do that.

What are you trying to do with the battery in the boot charge it?

Hi Andy,

Yes, the battery in the boot powers all the electronics that is being fitted in the boot. The idea is that the battery powers some of the electronics 24/7 and gets charged everytime I drive the car.

Even if the leisure battery goes flat then the main battery will still crank the engine.

The battery itself is a 85AH lead acid leisure battery which is designed for being repeatedly charged and discharged.

Cheers,

Lee

Andy Monty said:

What are you trying to do with the battery in the boot charge it?

Click to expand...

Step back. The powered outlets in the car are 12V power feeds. They may, or may not in your case, be directly coupled to the cars 12V battery circuit.

If I undestrand your circuit intent they you need to go into traditional caravan mode...yes, ....... oh my god not a caravan!

Your battery should be in parallel with the car battery, but only connected/charged when the alternator has sufficient "umph"to supply/charge the battery (and or additional appliances).

Your cheap solution is to supply a fused direct feed from the battery to your auxilary battery and 12V circuits. This will work but will drain all batteries in double quick time unless you detect the "lack of charge" situation. This is exaclty what car/caravan electric circuits are designed to do.

Have you ever shorted out a leisure battery with a high amperage cable?

Don't! it will burst into flames.

The idea of you charging a high amperage lead acid battery from your cigarette outlet does not sound safe at all... even with an inline fuse there is some risk that you cables may get crimped, cut, worn through with constant vibration so there could be a potential risk of shorting anywhere.

I would personally get a proper relay system from a leisure company or motorhome supply and do the job properly and safely with a cutoff switch on the secondary battery. not expensive at all to do, but my God, if that second battery shorts out, and its sitting on top of the petrol tank in the boot....

have you thought about the hydrogen gas that gets emmitted when charging your lead acid battery and the explosion risk sitting in your boot? perhaps its a gell battery or a sealed unit?

but scary stuff.

as the last poster pointed out re caravans, there is a charging circuit, it monitors the charge, and stops charging if the battery is full preventing over charging, and an isolation switch on the battery in motorhomes.

the batteries are also located in the bonnet space along with the main battery in most setups I beleive but will stand corrected if this is not the case, some may be fitted underneath the vans, but in a safe location.

hope this helps.

You really aught to use a sealed/drycell battery in the back mainly for safety and you and at least 8 gauge and 0 gauge is prefered for an efficient split charge.
Just add a relay of say 180amps if you are going to be drawing a lot of power and wire it to a switch or somewhere ignition fed.