12 Volt negative return
Submitted: Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:31
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Vic Heals
Evening all,
When wiring up the camper trailer there seems to be two schools of thought. One is to earth the accessories onto the chassis, the other is to run all negative leads back to the negative terminal on the battery. Which one is correct.
I'm no auto elec as you can tell but there is enough info on this site for me to want to do it myself. I just don't want to blow anything up.
Reply By: snoopyone - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:40
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:40
Back to the battery is best by far.
Run them all together on trailer and one decent wire back to battery
AnswerID:
454492
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:42
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:42
Hi, the concensus is run the earth back to the battery in the same size wire as the positive. The positive wire should be heavy enough to carry the required current. Cheers,Bob
AnswerID:
454494
Reply By: Member - nick b - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:51
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:51
I would of thought like a car both , battery earthed to chassis ?
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454496
Follow Up By: snapper49 - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:54
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:54
with a caravan same as a boat if you have dis-similar metals especially alluminium and you run an electric current through it you run a severe risk of causing electrolysis ie corrosion of the alloy
definately do not earth to any part of van
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 00:07
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 00:07
Won't hurt to have the van earthed via the chassis ( as
well as a neg return to the front plug )
At 12V, you won't have any stray current trying to go thru the aluminium cladding if its earthed as above !!
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Follow Up By: Vic Heals - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 07:09
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 07:09
Thanks for all the replies.I think I'll play it safe and run the negative back to the terminal.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:35
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:35
Do both - you can never over-earth your added electrics.
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454619