Technical Interior lights

[Ryanedgeworth89]

I have got 6 led spot lights in ceiling i put up in my work/camper van. Still havnt got round to investing in leisure battery and everthing eles so i can have off grid power. Would it be ok to wire these lights (switched) up to the spare perm live feed in drivers side fuse box? Dont plan to keep them on all the time just a little bit of light when is needed.

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

What year is the Ducato from?

There's an extra fusebox in the bottom of the passenger's side B-pillar which contains the connections for builder / converters which allow to connect extra load, that should be the place to use.

Once you confirm the year, it will be easier to provide appropriate information.

 

[Communicator]

I have got 6 led spot lights in ceiling i put up in my work/camper van. Still havnt got round to investing in leisure battery and everthing eles so i can have off grid power. Would it be ok to wire these lights (switched) up to the spare perm live feed in drivers side fuse box? Dont plan to keep them on all the time just a little bit of light when is needed.

The OEM cab courtesy light in my PVC had two x 5W bulbs, both of which could be switched on permanently.
Check the wattage rating of your individual LED spotlights and total up, but unlikely to be a problem for intermittent use, if vehicle is driven regularly.
From another angle, when on a two week camping trip in Canada many years ago, we used a 21W indicator bulb in a home made lamp, as a tent camping lamp. Never a problem, but then were driving long distances.

 

[Communicator]

The OEM cab courtesy light in my PVC had two x 5W bulbs, both of which could be switched on permanently.
Check the wattage rating of your individual LED spotlights and total up, but unlikely to be a problem for intermittent use, if vehicle is driven regularly.
From another angle, when on a two week camping trip in Canada many years ago, we used a 21W indicator bulb in a home made lamp, as a tent camping lamp. Never a problem, but then were driving long distances.

Hello,

What year is the Ducato from?

There's an extra fusebox in the bottom of the passenger's side B-pillar which contains the connections for builder / converters which allow to connect extra load, that should be the place to use.

Once you confirm the year, it will be easier to provide appropriate information.

The converters panel is optional, and may not be fitted to the OP's vehicle.

 

[the green vanper]

The converters panel is optional

Personally I've seen vans (starting from x250) with really basic equipment that had this panel, so perhaps it's an option that was installed as standard

Then we shall start with a year to give more accurate information, nevermind where we will suggest to connect the lighting to.

 

[Communicator]

One of the early tasks on my x244 PVC, was to map out the fuse boxes. The data collected shows, where and what, the common feed was for various groups of fuses.

 

[Ryanedgeworth89]

Yes i have the convertors socket behind drivers seat. Allready have fuse and wires (according to the book) for heated seats and rear heat windows. Its a 2017 h2l3 model.

 

[the green vanper]

In my opinion it would be best to hook up there

Here's the x290 converters' manual, as far as I remember the socket is described there.

Ducato X290 Converters’ and Upfitters’ Manual

Converters manual for the post-2016 Ducato. Lots of technical information, including some very useful wiring and electrical diagrams.

www.fiatforum.com

 

[Communicator]

Yes i have the convertors socket behind drivers seat. Allready have fuse and wires (according to the book) for heated seats and rear heat windows. Its a 2017 h2l3 model.

Unfortunately both heated seat, and rear window demisters, are probably ignition controlled.

 

[Ryanedgeworth89]

Unfortunately both heated seat, and rear window demisters, are probably ignition controlled.

Yes have left that alone.

 

[Communicator]

Thinking about your need for a B+ supply, one solution would be to use a 5A mini blade inline fuse. This could be connected to the load side of one of the three Midi fuses on the battery fuse board. In the x250 training manual, the Midi fuse furthest from the battery terminal post is designated for the converters socket, and rated at 50A (red).
You would of course need to find a suitable cable route for your purposes.
If deciding to adopt this solution, it would be wise to disconnect the battery negative before making the connection to the existing Midi fuse.
There is a procedure to follow when disconnecting the battery negative, which is designed to avoid damage to any of the various computers in the vehicle.

Alternatively you could use an "Addafuse" device on the cab fuseboard as originally mentioned. In the past, I have found that some of these devices are too wide to physically fit into the fusboard. Some careful filing was necessary. Also you would need to confirm which fuse is permanently live.

 

[Ryanedgeworth89]

Thinking about your need for a B+ supply, one solution would be to use a 5A mini blade inline fuse. This could be connected to the load side of one of the three Midi fuses on the battery fuse board. In the x250 training manual, the Midi fuse furthest from the battery terminal post is designated for the converters socket, and rated at 50A (red).
You would of course need to find a suitable cable route for your purposes.
If deciding to adopt this solution, it would be wise to disconnect the battery negative before making the connection to the existing Midi fuse.
There is a procedure to follow when disconnecting the battery negative, which is designed to avoid damage to any of the various computers in the vehicle.

Alternatively you could use an "Addafuse" device on the cab fuseboard as originally mentioned. In the past, I have found that some of these devices are too wide to physically fit into the fusboard. Some careful filing was necessary. Also you would need to confirm which fuse is permanently live.

Have added a piggyback fuse to the spare perm live in fuse box under steering wheel.