Which wire for fridge power?

[big dog]

G'day all

Have just wired up my trailer connection harness on the weekend with only one wire left to do. This will be the power wire for the little fridge / cooler that I intend to put on the fromt of the trailer. Which would be a good wire to splice into to power up the fridge? Would prefer something that will not be a continuous supply even with the key in the off position (don't want no flat battery :D ) and the power line into the trailer has a fuse block already installed.

Many thanks for you anticipated replies.

TIA

[Daza]

Big Dog,

It depends a lot on how much current it pulls. Is there a label on it that says xxx mA or x.x A where the x's are numbers?

The best way from my point of view is to pick up the power directly from the battery running it via a suitable fuse and then through a relay (either a horn or driving light relay, about $6 at Dick Smiths) that is triggered by the tail light wire. This way you can't leave the power on without the key on but you are not dragging to much current from another circuit. If you want to go down this path but arn't too sure about the wiring send me a PM.

That's my 2 bob's worth....

[dshealey]

I had one of the little thermoelectric coolers on the bike for my 10/10ths trip, just plugged it into the passenger aux. power socket. It is only on with the ignition turned on.

[big dog]

Daza & Dave

Thanks for the responses blokes. What about joining the wire to the power side of the plug socket next to the pillion? That way, (as I see it) I can still use the socket for SWMBO if needed without having to remove the fridge plug. Have been thinking about getting the BMW plug and converting the bride's phone charger so that we can charge her phone as we ride.......

Daza, the draw off is around 5 amps IIRC. Ran the fridge okay on the trip to Canberra for this years Ulysses AGM, not a problem at all. From memory, I think I spliced the power wire into the tailight wire on my V Star. Lights only came on when the iginition was switched on. Curse you ADR39!!!! :)

Thanks again peoples.

[Daza]

Big Dog,

That'll work fine.... and that wiring is not too hard to get to.

[big dog]

Excellent, will see if I can spend some time on the weekend (what's that dear, mow the lawn? Maybe later..... :D ) and splice it in.

Thanks again all.