12 Volt System Fuse boxes

Submitted: Friday, May 13, 2011 at 19:02
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I intend tidying up the 12 volt wiring in my caravan by installing a fuse/breaker panel. Just wondering what rules everyone uses to arrive at the ratings of their fuses/breakers they installed. For instance 12 volt fridge drags an average of around 4amps or so.

Am doing this so will be able to more easily isolate any problems.

Appreciate any help at all
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Reply By: Rockape - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 19:31

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 19:31
Kevmac,
the fuse size is there to protect the wiring and not the appliance so if the wiring is 2.5 sq/mm you would use a 15a fuse, 1.5 sq/mm 10 amp fuse.

If you can get a hold of a DC tong tester you can check your max load on a circuit and put a fuse in that is say a couple of amps above that load, that is as long as you don't exceed the current carrying capacity of the cable.

I would think that most of your 12volt wiring would be 10 amp cable except for your fridge which maybe 15/20 amp cable if it originally had a 3 way fridge installed.

Have a good one
RA.
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Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 20:24

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 20:24
Thx for the info............

Think after 30 yrs as a TElstra Technician I would know !!!
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Reply By: aussiedingo. (River Rina) - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 20:30

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 20:30
G'day kevmac, if you go to a marine accessory outlet (whitworth's mailing catologue) they have a panel of rocker switches 6 or 8 with individual glass fuses fitted - you can adjust amperage fuses to suit accessory, just have to re name (dymo) pre printed accessory label,
hoo roo
"the only thing constant in my life is change"




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Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 21:57

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 21:57
will take that on board as well thx
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Follow Up By: paulnsw - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 09:24

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 09:24
Stay well away from glass fuses. Difficult to buy QUALITY glass fuses.

Use blade fuses, available everywhere and make substantially better connection.
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Reply By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 22:01

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 22:01
Hi Kevmac,

ABR Sidewinder, a Business Member of ExplorOz has gear to suit you.

The 12 Volt Shop in WA also has a comprehensive range of fuses etc.

Either estimate or measure the current draw for each circuit and use a fuse next standard size above. eg: for a 6A draw use a 10A fuse.


Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 07:37

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 07:37
Kevmac
From another ex PMG/Telecom/Telstra tech I've found that most of the problems in vehicle wiring relate to poor negative ground connection and fuse contacts.
When I wired up the Humvee and now the Oka I used that figure eight cable that has a black sheath Cable in a size suitable for the current draw and then there are no problems with ground connections.
For fuse boxes I use these ones Fuse box which have ground/neg connections as well so all wiring is neat and tidy.
Yes it is a bit expensive to set up but in the long run well worth the effort and cost.
Make sure you remove and clean the spades on the fuses regularly as those alloy spades oxidise and lead to HR joints, which leads to heat which etc etc.
Fridges especially seem to have more probs than most.
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Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 15:10

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 15:10
Used the exact same fuse box in my van.
Also put in fuses that were the next size up from the load as said above.
Used heavy wire at all conections.(bit of overkill).
System working 100% with virtually no voltage drop.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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Reply By: kevmac....(WA) - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 08:33

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 08:33
Thx to all of you for your quick responses and help............have a fair idea now !
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Reply By: KenInPerth - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 14:49

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 14:49
So is this what all us "aged" ex PMG guys do is it - re-wire our RV's. I guess it is "in our blood".

Good to see a few people remember what the PMG is - they were the days.

I remember well the 50V battery banks in the bowels of exchanges amongst all the lead covered cables ..... and the paper insulated wires.

Now there is a lost skill - the guys that did the "lead wiping" on the cable joints.

I am showing my age .....

Ken
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Follow Up By: goddosglory - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 21:14

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 21:14
you just got me thinking about my dad..he,s ex PMG/TELECOM /TELSTRA
I remember burning out the wiring loom in my old mark 2 zephyr...he re wired the whole car for me..never missed a beat in the whole time i had it...he turns 80 at the end of this year..and he too is still going strong
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Follow Up By: KenInPerth - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 23:21

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 23:21
Your dad is a little in front of me - I bet he remembers the lead joints and pressurised cables in the "good old days".

Ken
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Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:59

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:59
scary ..................
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