Power outlet for a Fridge - what guage wire?

Submitted: Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 16:21
ThreadID: 12919 Views:2469 Replies:6 FollowUps:3
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Have just put a dual bty kit in my Prado120 to power my new fridge (Engel45). Am now thinking whether i need heavier gauge wiring to a separate power outlet in the rear, or if the factory outlet is good enough?. ... if you think heavier guage cable required then what gauge gives a negligible voltage drop .... is 4mm2 (20A) good enough??)
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Reply By: 90s_owner - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 16:45

Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 16:45
Drew,
Auto electrian used 6mm on ours (Engel 45) all works fine. If 120 is at all like 90 you can run the wire through the chassis rail to the back. Also fuse at the battery end.
Iam sure others here will have a more technical response 8-)
Glenn B.
AnswerID: 58805

Follow Up By: Tim - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 16:05

Monday, May 17, 2004 at 16:05
Come again? You can run it through the chasis rail? Is there grommets to get it into the back in a descent place? I got a 90 series 2 weeks ago and plan to have it fully kitted before June long w/e and its one of the many things on the list.
Tim
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FollowupID: 320583

Reply By: Mrs Diamond - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 17:23

Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 17:23
every one says 6mm.
ps or bigger
AnswerID: 58811

Reply By: Brian - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 17:54

Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 17:54
I used 50amp 12-24v Dual core Flex, ran earth back to the negitve on Battery!
Works great! Bonus is that the wire is double insulated less chance of rubbing through and shorting!

Brian
AnswerID: 58817

Reply By: Rossco100series - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 18:42

Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 18:42
As I'm a sparky by trade 6mm is plenty big enough

Rossco
AnswerID: 58821

Reply By: Baz (NSW) - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 18:51

Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 18:51
Hi drewT, we have a Electrolux 3 way older type at least 20 yrs came out of a Cub Drifter and we run a 6mm from the car to the camper with Anderson plugs, 3 ways have a very high amp draw much higher than engel and weaco so like everyone has said 6mm is plenty no lower.

Baz.
AnswerID: 58824

Reply By: DrewT - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 09:23

Monday, May 17, 2004 at 09:23
thanks for the feedback folks. off to buy some 6mm2 today (pity .. bought some 4mm2 on the weekend!!)
AnswerID: 58877

Follow Up By: Russ - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 20:00

Monday, May 17, 2004 at 20:00
Mate,
Do not rush into this, I have had problems over the last few years, my guess is that 6mm is minimum. So it depends on what vehicle you have, what you are going to run off it, fridge, light, shower etc.

I have a dual cab, in car charge kit was 4 mm, have made plenty of enq. with known 4x4 retailers, electronic experts, and have just had, what I believe is 12g wiring, 80 amp solenoide & 50 amp circ. breaker installed. Yet to test all this, but I am sick of having a flat battery on extended trips cos the wiring is not capable of supplying my 2nd battery in the back. With this apparently should have minimal voltage drop & should battery go flat, will not take long to charge it up. The last bit is the important bit.

Check it out b4 you install, don't take everyone's word for it.

RB.
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Follow Up By: DrewT - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 09:34

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 09:34
thanks RB. actually bought 80A cable (8mm2?) for both the charging circuit and the cabling to the rear power outlet. 60A fuses in the charging circuit (for each +ve bty connection to the isolator). 20A fuse to the rear outlet. only differing advice to everything said above is that if i can can a good earth in the rear somewhere, it is actually better than -ve cable back to the aux bty

PS: only running the engel off the rear outlet, plus the occassional accessory such as shower
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FollowupID: 320681

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