Colin Heseltine Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 I am looking for the mythical 12v rear permanent power feed on my 2021 420R. Has anyone ever found this cable and if so where did they find it. Do you have a photo of where you found it? I have spent some time underneath the car with torch but can see no sign of a spare connector.I have seen comments about looking for cable tied up in transmission tunnel but cannot see one.Or is it underneath the faux leather transmission cover (I hope not).Would have tried the google site search but for some reason this does not appear to be working today.Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 31, 2023 Member Share Posted August 31, 2023 Start here. and please let us know if it isn't there.JonathanPS: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=site:caterhamlotus7.club+power+supply+boot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heseltine Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share Posted August 31, 2023 Jonathon,Thank you.I had seen that post and used that as initial guide. I do not think it is in boot. The boot is carpeted and had I seen a stray connector at that time it would have been labelled and left available. I do not really want to remove the transmission cover unless someone says yes it is under there. I have tillets and these would need removing first. Looking for a particular colour cable is a no go due to colour blindness.Regards,Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David White Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Unfortunately I don't have a photo, but this is roughly where it is located under the transmission cover. To reach it from above, you may also have to remove the plate labelled (2). Cover is awkward to get off as you'll have to remove the gear knob and may have to slacken off the handbrake via the adjuster attached to the side of the differential.I doubt you'll be able to get to it from below as the prop shaft is in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heseltine Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share Posted August 31, 2023 Managed to remove the transmission cover without removing seats, no cable under the cover. Did not remove the ally panel. Will have another look with camerascope from underneath.Now looked with camerascope and cannot see a cable tied to chassis rail.Is there anything else at rear of car which has a permanent feed I could piggyback onto, i onl;y need a few miliamps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K7 VCT Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 My factory build one is in the boot to cockpit area. Easily accessible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heseltine Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share Posted August 31, 2023 David,Did you draw that cable in yourself or was it in the manual. The manual I have seen does not show it marked on the similar schematic.K7VCT. How do you define boot to cockpit area.Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldboarder Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Mine was tied into the wiring loom near the rear drivers side wheel. Underneath the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David White Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Hi Colin,I drew it in based on where I found it on my 2019 self build car.Kind regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Interesting, I only had a partial wiring diagram for my 2019 420r, and it only showed one power socket, on the car it obviously was located under the fuse box. The wire supplying the socket was long enough to reach the rear. Near the handbrake (and in the tunnel) the only connections were for the reverse switch, handbrake warning light and and seat belt warning light (not used). My 2011 academy car had the power socket supply in the boot (actually tied to the loom as it went down the diagonal behind the drivers seat), but no factor 12v socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattB Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 I found this photo online a while ago - sorry, can't remember where. Saved it for when I have time and nice weather to go digging around the propshaft to find the 12v feed (one of the two white plugs).MattB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Just looking back at photos from the same area on my 2019 (kit) 420R, and these connectors are not present. At the bottom of this page you can see the absence of connectors in that area https://caterham420detailedbuildblog.co.uk/2020/02/21/tunnel-side-carpet/. I suspect the 420 is using a different chassis loom, given the ECU is different Duratec to Sigma (post 2017 ish). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heseltine Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share Posted August 31, 2023 Chris Zooming in into your picture there is a rubber sleeve over something. Could that be it? Mine looks a lot like yours rather than the previous picture. I have had the camera up there a few times now, can see brake pipe, main cable run and washer pipe, but not actually above them. Problem is it would mean drilling all the rivets out.I guess the fuel pump feed is the only other always live cable (when ignition on).Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K7 VCT Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Basically on the bulkhead behind the drivers seat. Cable tied neatly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luegonigel Posted September 3, 2023 Share Posted September 3, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heseltine Posted September 19, 2023 Author Share Posted September 19, 2023 As there appears to be some confusion on this issue I decided to drop an email to Simon Lambert at Caterham.I had an initial response from Lee Bristow as follows:Your model will have an additional 12v twin connector located at the rear of the car. If this connector is not visible along the section of wiring loom running down from either side of the differential, then it has likely been secured in the area under the tunnel blacking plate in front of the differential.I investigated further but did not wish to start drilling rivets out without being 100% certain. I had a number for Lee and spoke to him and he went into factory to investigate.He got sidetracked but then emailed my back with updated response:I must apologise for the confusion, as it transpires that the UK spec Duratec loom does not have the additional 12v socket connector, unlike the EU spec Duratec.So no 12V socket on UK Duratec. I did pose the question as to when a 12v socket is fitted to the car why is it put where no-one can get to it. Because very few people use it was the response. If you cannot get to it easily you wont use it I said. He did agree with me and said it did not make any sense.So whilst I had the transmission tunnel cover fully off the car and the boot floor out I have put in my own cable.Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted September 19, 2023 Member Share Posted September 19, 2023 Congratulations on tracking down the answer and thanks for sharing it.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heseltine Posted September 19, 2023 Author Share Posted September 19, 2023 Jonathon,No problem. I though it best to try the horses mouth even though the answer was not the one I really wanted.Hope saves someone else from searching needlessly.Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 "I did pose the question as to when a 12v socket is fitted to the car why is it put where no-one can get to it. Because very few people use it was the response. If you cannot get to it easily you wont use it I said." You couldn't make it up......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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