I've retrofitted a 12v socket into the boot of my vRS hatchback linking to the 12v socket slot in the fuse box that i presume is for the estate versions original fitment socket. Just wondered what rating fuse the estates have on this circuit as i was hoping to only use a 10amp to keep the circuit nice & safe but my electric coolbox wants more & blows a 10amp fuse happily but is happy with a 20amp, dont want this to be too much though!

I have a mkI octavia but IIRC correctly the 12V socket has a 15amp fuse.

It's the same in the Octy II. This means the capacity of the plug is 12V x 15A = 180W, but I'd be slow to try anything above 150ish unless you have a spare fuse handy.

I've retrofitted a 12v socket into the boot of my vRS hatchback linking to the 12v socket slot in the fuse box that i presume is for the estate versions original fitment socket. Just wondered what rating fuse the estates have on this circuit as i was hoping to only use a 10amp to keep the circuit nice & safe but my electric coolbox wants more & blows a 10amp fuse happily but is happy with a 20amp, dont want this to be too much though!

Hi Nicky,

It more depends on what size cable you have used, if you have put small diamater cable and a big fuse, then there is a chance that the cable can "melt" and cause a fire, so if you are running at about 20 amps, you need something like 3mm2 for 27 amp, and 2mm2 for 17.5 amps

Radiotwo

I used this wire sourced from Maplin......Extra Flexible Wire : Equipment Wire : Maplin

Its rated up to 25amps so thought it would be sufficient on the basis the electric cooler seems to be taking up to a max 12amps, do i need something a bit chunkier perhaps or coupled with a 15amp is this within safe limits?

I used this wire sourced from Maplin......Extra Flexible Wire : Equipment Wire : Maplin

Its rated up to 25amps so thought it would be sufficient on the basis the electric cooler seems to be taking up to a max 12amps, do i need something a bit chunkier perhaps or coupled with a 15amp is this within safe limits?

Hi Again,

As you say it says it says max current 25Amp but at 0.43mm2, I cannot see how it can be !

This is the site I use as a reference:

VWP - standard cable

But without seeing the cable its hard to see off a picture, the best thing to do is if you have some kind of calaper then measure across the copper conductor (not the insulation)

Radiotwo

No wanting to hijack, but does the factory fit boot cigar socket come on with the igition or is it live all the time? Cheers.

I think its permanent live on my Elegance Estate.

Could you explain how you did this as I would like a socket in the boot too...

Thanks

Hi Again,

As you say it says it says max current 25Amp but at 0.43mm2, I cannot see how it can be !

This is the site I use as a reference:

VWP - standard cable

But without seeing the cable its hard to see off a picture, the best thing to do is if you have some kind of calaper then measure across the copper conductor (not the insulation)

Radiotwo

The stuff from Maplin says it has 55 stands measuring 0.1mm = 5.5mm, this works out at about 2.5mm2 so should be good for 20A safely so the max of 25A is probable but not a constant i'd say! When its dry i'll play with a 15A fuse inline instead!

For Stu99's beneifit & anyone else interested, I bought a 12v socket from ebay for a few pounds & cable from Maplin as per the link. I also bought an inline fuse holder. The socket is fitted to the drivers side right up against the rear seat just under the parcel shelf. If you flatten the seat, remove the parcel shelf then pull off the side bolster of the rear seat that dosent fold flat (there's a metal clip top & bottom so just pull on the top of the bolster slightly downwards & it pops off easily) You can see behind the carpet boot lining now to where there's a gap behind the capet below the seat belt reel. The carpet is held in place with a screw underneath the rubber door seal and rests against the underside of the parcel shelf support, undo the screw & pull the capret carefully away from and you'll reveal an earthing bolt point in the middle of the rear quarter panel. Hook up an earth lead connection for the power socket here. Put the carpet back then cut the round hold for the socket so it fits in the gap just below the seat belt reel, i simply used a stanley knife for this! To run a +ve lead to the fuse box you need to peel back the trim running along the door frame bottoms, do this carefully to not break anything, you can then see where the main wiring loom runs & run your wire in the same channel. I then located the spare 12v socket fuse slot in the fuse box, its raining out so cant go look what slot number it is but i think its on the 3rd row down in the middle, the little "which fuse is what" card will show you! I then used a spade connector to slot into the fuse slot. Its not as good perhaps as connecting to the back side of the fuse box but easier & perfectly safe! The inline fuse conenctor is then soldered to the end of the line then soldered to the +ve connection of the socket. As it turns out it should be a 15A fuse you need.

The stuff from Maplin says it has 55 stands measuring 0.1mm = 5.5mm, this works out at about 2.5mm2 so should be good for 20A safely so the max of 25A is probable but not a constant i'd say! When its dry i'll play with a 15A fuse inline instead!

Hi Nicky

I assume you have not measured your cable, but I think you will find maplins cable is

0.01mm, which works out at aprox .5mm2.

But as I say without seeing it or you measuring it its hard to say, but over a long length you will have a volt drop, and will draw more amps than normal.

Radiotwo

Hi Nicky

I assume you have not measured your cable, but I think you will find maplins cable is

0.01mm, which works out at aprox .5mm2.

But as I say without seeing it or you measuring it its hard to say, but over a long length you will have a volt drop, and will draw more amps than normal.

Radiotwo

It was pouring last night so no chance to have a look, hopefully tonight i'll get the chance! I cant see how Maplin can sell a wire rated at up to 650v & 25A with such a small cross area. Its not ultra thin cable from so i'd be more inclined to think it was at least 2mm2.

find some 2.5mm2

that should be plenty, if in doubt make the wire larger rather than smaller, your aiming for the fuse to be weak link, to be fair, wire rated for 15 amps will take well over double that before it becomes dangerous. It shouldnt catch fire as the insulation is flame retardent, so if it did melt, hopefully it just short to frame