Another 12 Volt Question
Submitted: Monday, Dec 29, 2014 at 20:19
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Kevin S - Life Member (QLD)
The 12v circuit for the single outlet in my caravan has a 10 amp fuse. The 300 Watt inverter that I use in the plug is protected by a 30 amp fuse. When I plug in my printer the 10 amp fuse blows. Can I put in a larger fuse or do I need a heavier circuit to support a larger fuse?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers, Kevin
Reply By: Zippo - Monday, Dec 29, 2014 at 20:45
Monday, Dec 29, 2014 at 20:45
The fuse/circuit-breaker rating on any circuit is selected to protect the circuit wiring (and FIXED hardware). If you need a higher fuse rating, you need heavier cable.
AnswerID:
543496
Reply By: oldtrack123 - Monday, Dec 29, 2014 at 22:23
Monday, Dec 29, 2014 at 22:23
HI
Do NOT Encrease the fuse size
The cables& outlet will not be able to carry the curent &fire would be a distinct possabilty The inverter should be wired, with as short a cable run as practical, direct to the battery with a QUALITY 30A fuse in line near the battery
Cable size should be mininum 10B&S
Not 10 mm auto cable
PeterQ
AnswerID:
543499
Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2014 at 11:54
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2014 at 11:54
Hi Kevin
The 300W inverter will have a start up surge current as well, most are rated at 300W and 600W surge. Personally I would hard wire the inverter with 8 B&S cable and a 50A breaker.
300W at 12V is 25A so best to check that wiring before trying to increase fuse size.
Regards
Derek from ABR
AnswerID:
543516
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2014 at 21:07
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2014 at 21:07
Don't forget the efficiency of the inverter. It's safer to divide the 240 V AC power by 10 than 12 to get the current drawn when an inverter is supplying that power. A 300 W inverter will draw at least 30 A at maximum power.
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830498
Reply By: Kevin S - Life Member (QLD) - Saturday, Jan 03, 2015 at 10:08
Saturday, Jan 03, 2015 at 10:08
Thank you for your responses. You have confirmed my suspicion that no short cuts were available. I thought I would need to run a new lead as it is not easy to change wiring in a caravan.
Sorry for the delay in acknowledging responses. I posted the question forgetting for the moment that I was about to head into the mostly Telstra signal free Victorian High Country.
Thanks again.
Kevin
AnswerID:
543652