12v "power Board"
Submitted: Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 15:17
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Member - Sean S (Int)
Hi,
This is my first post to this form.
I have had a duel battery installed in our Prado for our fridge.
I would like to have the ability to run 12v into our tent to support things like the laptop, lights, DVD player, GPS, and inverter for charging camera, UHF handhelds and so on.
I had an Anderson plug installed at the back of the prado (External) (175amps , need to check).
What I think I need is some sort of Anderson to “universal plug power board” with about 15meter of cable, fused.
Does such a thing exist? Is it a case of building it from scratch? Am I on the right track?
Thanks.
Sean
Reply By: whyallacookie - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 15:36
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 15:36
Haven't seen anything available. The only ones I have found are the pathetic little cigarette style "multiple outlets" from supercheap and the like.
I built my own, similar to your thinking in a plastic jiffy box with a few outlets on it. We don't run the fridge, that stays in the car but use it for lights etc.
Next time I'll probably just et one of the little gell cell packs available from marine stores for about $70 and use that I think
AnswerID:
255075
Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:49
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:49
I built my own using parts from Dick Smiths.
FollowupID:
516261
Reply By: flappa - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 15:42
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 15:42
I'm not sure how you would go trying to run all that stuff at once. I'll leave that for the 12v "experts".
The theory though , is fine. I built my own for my CT. It runs from my CT battery to a Fuse box , that then runs different items, Fridge, lights , and a cigi plug for an Invertor. On one of these circuits I run a light circuit that I can plug a few different lights into from a seperate switch box.
I didn't find anything commercially available so I built my own.
AnswerID:
255076
Reply By: Mainey (WA) - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 15:56
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 15:56
Sean,
leave the Inverter in the vehicle, "hard wired" to the Auxiliary battery and run the camera, UHF handhelds and whatever else you want off it there.
Inverters put out 240 Volt - so is not something I would use in a (wet) tent !!!
Run a fused 'extension' cable from the Aux battery (via the Anderson plug) to your tent to run the laptop, lights, DVD player, GPS, etc from a common 'power board' connection available from most Auto electrics stores like Jaycar etc.
Make sure the complete length of all the cable is thick enough to avoid any voltage loss at the far end, use the thickest cable that will fit the Anderson plug, too thick is not a hassle, too thin is..........
AnswerID:
255078
Follow Up By: Member - Sean S (Int) - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 16:23
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 16:23
Great - Thanks good advice re: InverterI hadn't thought of that.
I'm not sure what you mean by Common 'Power board' connection. I took a quick look on JayCar but could not find anything that would seem suitable.
Sean
FollowupID:
516241
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 18:52
Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 18:52
Ummm, a wrong word terminology...
a 240v powerboard, one of those untidy white plastic things that lay on the floor behind most desktop computers, with the 240v outlet power cables going to printer, computer & monitor etc.
Plug the 'powerboard' into the Inverter outlet to turn it into a 4 connection Inverter to recharge all the 240v items in the vehicle NOT the tent.
***Remember the Inverter is designed (hopefully) to switch off if it overloads***
disconnect one item at a time till you have the right mix.
The 'powerboard' MUST have individual toggle on/off switch's for each lead connected to be effective.
Plug a 12v extension cable into the Anderson plug to charge only what is required to run off 12v in the tent.
FollowupID:
516400
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 11:23
Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 11:23
Looked at a similar power board at a hardware store yesterday, was 10 Amp rated, and 400V with an auto disconnect for power overload.
It had the 4 x toggle on/off switch's and they were lit when in use, $24.
However I've been using the standard 4 x toggle switch 10A powerboard ($12 to $21) and I'm happy with that, as nothing I have runs over 10A anyway.
FollowupID:
516756
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:09
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:09
Hi Sean
Dick Smith has great waterproof boxes that I use when I make up custom harnesses. Give them a try.
Make sure the wire is thick to prevent voltage drop.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
255085
Follow Up By: Grungle - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:34
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:34
Very nice work there Derek. Looks very
well made.
Nice to know you can customise to the customer requirements.
Regards
David
FollowupID:
516258
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 18:16
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 18:16
Thanks David I try make the products as best I can.
FollowupID:
516268
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 19:22
Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 19:22
If the cable coming out of the Anderson Plug is rated at less than the fuse at the battery, you need a fuse near the plug.
e.g. if you have a 70 amp fuse/breaker at the battery feeding the Anderson Plug and the extension cable you are plugging into the Anderson Plug is rated at 50 amps, you have a possible fire
hazard. You need a 50 amp fuse at the Anderson plug in the extension cable.
Similarly if your distribution box is going to have thinner cables running from it to fridge, lights etc e.g 15 amp rated cable, then you need 15 amps fuses at the distribution box to avoid a fire
hazard.
AnswerID:
255100
Reply By: Andrew Kilby (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 06:57
Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 06:57
I actually saw exactly what you are proposing at a caravan parts store yesterday. I t had 5 individually switched and fused outlets plus a volt meter for $109 all that was needed was a box to mount it in.
From my experience Jaycar Electronics would would be the cheapest and have the best range of boxes or parts if you wanted to build your own.
AnswerID:
255307
Reply By: Hillbilly123 - Friday, Aug 10, 2007 at 22:40