Anderson plug installation

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 14:39

ThreadID: 38258 Views:29449 Replies:4 FollowUps:3

This Thread has been Archived

T-Ribby

Hi all.
Got an Anderson plug and deep cycle battery on my camper-trailer.
Going to get the corresponding plug installed on my 4WD towing machine.
When I'm talking to an auto electrician who does these installations, what
should I insist on e.g. heavier wiring than standard ? I don't mind paying a bit more for a
longer lasting system.
cheers
T-Rib

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - 'Lucy' - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 14:59

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 14:59

I would never presume to 'advise' an autolec on anything relating to his technical speciality.

AnswerID: 197800

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 20:41

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 20:41

OI dont know about that!! Sometimes the trade certificate hanging on the wall gets in the way of common sense.. Michael

Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message

FollowupID: 456421

Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 15:05

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 15:05

You will need to install a Redarc or similar isolater under the bonnet, then you need to run 8mm cable from the Redarc to the anderson plug. Make sure you run Earth AND Active from the front, don't use the chassis for earth. MAke sure there is a circuit breaker between the battery and the Redarc.

On the trailer, run the two cables from the Plug to the battery, and fit another circuit breaker to the active. Then earth the battery to the camper chassis.

When running my cables I also had a 5mm cable for the electric brakes as well as the 2 8mm battery cables, and I pulled them through a bit of poly garden hose which was a tight fit, and then cable tied this to the top of the chassis rail.

Finally make sure the anderson plugs are soldered rather than crimped, because they get a lot of dust and water in them which will render a crimped connection useless very quickly.

AnswerID: 197802

Reply By: Grungle - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 16:43

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 16:43

Hi T-Rib,

Depending on the size of the Anderson plug on the trailer (whether its a 50A or 175A plug) I would use the recommended cable for the plug. My 50A Anderson plug is made to fit 16mm square cable so this is what I used. You are talking a long distance from the engine bay to your camper battery so this is what I would recommend to reduce voltage drop and handle high current loads (very flat battery). Also run both +ve and -ve back to battery and don't ground to chassis. Any good auto elecy will do this anyway.

Also I would recommend an automatic resetable circuit breaker of around 20-50A (depending on how many batteries you have in the camper) at each end in case the cabling shorts out in the middle somewhere due to rubbing.

An isolator is a good idea as well but you can do without if you remember to disconnect the camper plugs.

Regards
David

AnswerID: 197814

Reply By: T-Ribby - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:18

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:18

Thanks all for your replies. To Lucy: nor would I, but I would require (insist was a bad choice of word) a wiring job of the standard posted by Gerhardp1 and Grungle above.
Now at least I have some guidelines of what is needed.
thanks
T-Rib

AnswerID: 197820

Follow Up By: Member - Vincent A M (NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:59

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:59

if you can use Tinned wire (mainly used in marine) this will not corrode as quick as copper does & make sure the ends are sealed as most are just crimped & are exposed to the elements & moisture just gets sucked up the lead, Liquid tape works well.

FollowupID: 456383