Running 12v to the back of vehicle
Submitted: Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 16:02
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Road Warrior
Hi
I am wanting to run 12v power to the back of my vehicle. Ideally, I will have a plug in the boot to run devices (like a fridge and/or recharge a battery unit) and another next to my towbar so I can plug the trailer into it and run a fridge or whatever in the trailer when we are on the move.
I was planning on using Anderson plugs and #8 B&S cable, but I am not sure what to do at the engine-bay end. Do I just use a 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker or do I need a relay? (someone told me I did). Narva make a nifty little relay that takes a blade fuse, but instead of using a blade fuse they have a mini-breaker that goes into the aperture the fuse normally goes into.
The car does have a 30A power feed going to the rear from factory, which is always hot, but after pulling all the boot lining away on the weekend and seeing this wire for myself, the gauge of it is way too light in my view to handle that sort of current over an extended period. It's pretty small.
Any advice or pointers would be great, thanks.
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 17:34
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 17:34
Use 6 B & S and a resettable fuse I have 60amp ones at the battery and in the van at the batteries.
6 B& S will be heavy enough and the fuse will be too.
These can be bought at Sooper crap or off Derek on here
www.sidewinder.com.au
He is the best one to advise you as
well so give him a try His wire prices are better than any
shop.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - johntoyo - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 17:38
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 17:38
Hi Road Warrior. Try these people www.sidewinder.com.au
Apart from good products and service they have a FAQ section where you can generally find out what you need to know.
I just fitted one of their kits for my 12v to the rear like your after. No problems at all and I feel confident in knowing that it will fulfill my needs both now and when I add more gear.
I ran dual core 13mm 140amp. to a 50amp anderson, also via a Waeco smart fridge connector in the back of the vehicle.
Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
444525
Reply By: Road Warrior - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 20:28
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 20:28
Thanks lads
Looking at the Sidewinder kits, I don't really need an isolator do I? Or would it be a handy thing to have in case I park up somewhere with an appliance running off the battery (without the engine running) and it intervenes to stop the battery going flat?
AnswerID:
444566
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 20:49
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 20:49
An isolator is usually used to split 2 batteries so you can run auxiliaries off the second one.
You need a low voltage cutout.
Waecos and Engels usually have them built in but may still run your battery below a start level.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - johntoyo - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:00
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:00
Not needed but nice to have. Disengages your battery at a determined (low) voltage preventing you running it flat.
Still need a re-settable fuse as close to the battery as you can reasonable mount it. I have fitted both.
Myself I favor the lowest rating that will still power your gear and 30amp works for me. Simple to upgrade as your power needs climb.
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Follow Up By: Road Warrior - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:09
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 21:09
Yeah gotcha. The only reason I asked is that I looked at Sidewinder's website and saw the diagrams in the FAQ and got a little confused because I don't have a dual battery setup but the diagram showed an isolator for a single battery system:
FollowupID:
716715
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:00
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:00
You can use them If you want to
Also notice that Derek specifies 6 B & S right through to the trailer and 6mm as an offshoot.
Also a higher rated breaker than previously posted.
I have a 60 cos couldnt get a 50amp resettable at the time
Cheers
FollowupID:
716724
Follow Up By: justvisitingfornow - Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:33
Monday, Feb 07, 2011 at 22:33
Hi RW
Sorry for some reason I can't log in today so using a visitor account, I have been asking for over a week now why the site is restricting my access but am still waiting for an answer.
RW please email me and I will walk you through what you need.
Regards
Derek from ABR
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