T6 Multivan - existing and new Auxiliary Power points

[TheKiwi]

Hey everyone,

Two questions really.

How are the 12v cigarette points in the multivan setup? I have recently installed a dash cam and only have it running off the cigarette plug in the front dash. Problem is is that it always has power (doors locked etc) and thus records constantly. It's great when you have a fridge/freezer in the back as it powers whilst you're away from the car. Can anyone confirm they will switch off when/if battery gets to a certain voltage?

Secondly, I'd like to install some USB ports. Ideally one in the plastic area near the mirror (for dash cam- only on when key on) and then maybe 4-6 ports in the back of the drivers/passengers seats somewhere so the kids can charge ipads etc (ideally always live, unless battery is too low, as is current I assume).

Any tips on how to route cables etc in the van?

Thanks in advance

[Sunny43.5]

I don,t think the car will switch off power when something is left on with the exception of the interior lights , they do have a timer and will shut down if the doors are left open . I would suggest that for the dash cam to find an accessory point in the fuse box that only powers when the ignition is on and then use an "add a fuse " to tap into for the power . I use add a fuses in my work all the time .Now as for USB ports behind the seats you could run a heavy power cable from the battery fused close to the battery , then mount your USB ports where suitable . Remember 4 USB connections would draw up to 10 to 15 amps so you need a decent cable to supply the power . You can buy multiple USB port gadgets from SuperCheap etc and then hard wire them into the van as before ie fused at the battery . Please dont make the mistake I made about ten years ago when I bought one of those reverse cameras with the screen as part of the rear view mirror , I forgot that the USB was 5v and decided to hard wire stright to 12v . Hmm that funny burning smell was an idicator that I goofed !! Recently I fitted one of those NFC phone holders right next to the gear shift in my van , I ran the wire internally to the fuse box and because it had a cigarette lighter style plug which was 5 volt output [same as usb] I purchased a female cigarette conector and wired that into an add a fuse . That kept it nice and neat , here are a couple of links worth reading for your information , it outlines howmany hours from abattery running a fridge you can expect and the second one shows how multiple portable devices running at the same time can draw upwrds from 10 to 15 amps depending on the individual devices Power and Charging Guide / Power and Charging Guide / Portable Fridges Portable Fridges Camping Fridges Portable Charger & Power Bank Buying Guide | Belkin

[Tornado T5]

i wired up a GPS unit piggy-backing off the cig lighter fuse as sunny suggested with "add a fuse" connector and also added a switch inline mounted into one of the spare dash "blanks". The switch lights up when active so I got into the habit of turning it off every time I left the van locked as the normal cig. lighter power always stayed active. By being lit when powered also acted as a reminder to my aging brain.

[Sunny43.5]

Another old fart like me with fading memory eh Tornado ? my problem sometimes as well . Came down to my work van the other weekend and found dead flat battery DOH , I had been the previous day listening to online radio on my samsung using bluetooth for the sound in the van . Well I just grabbed the phone and walked away forgetting that the key was still in the acc position and the head unit was still on , so head unit and the main amp were stilll running overnight with no sound . Only issue was when the battery got down to a certain level the amp and head unit were cutting on and off repeatedly and then the Android operating system in the head unit got corrupted , took me a bit of mucking around to reinstate the Android software but all good now . Bonus was that when I updated the software I was able to get the newer Android 7.1 up from 6.0