CAMPER BATTERY WIRE SIZE
Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 20:05
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SunriseBrett
Guy,
Novice here so be patient boys. I have a few questions regarding wiring of my Camper and car.
Question 1: I have a Jayco Dove Outback camper with a battery in it. The number 2 pin of my 7 pin plug on the camper will run the fridge and charge the batter while driving. Also, the wires that were in the camper for the battery are only a couple of mil at the most, but I keep hearing on this
forum everyone using 6B&S or heavier, why?
On the car though the number 2 pin (Aux/Reverse) of the 7 pin is wired up for Reverse. To get a positive current though this pin can I run a wire from the Positive on the car battery, via a switch in the car (to be able to switch it on and off) to the number 2 pin on the car plug with an in-line fuse using 4mm auto cable? The wires currently in the 7 pin plug are only a couple of mm or so.
Question 2: I want to run a fridge (Engle or waeco etc) and a spare battery in the tray of my ute and have heard on this
forum that you should use at least 6B&S, again why?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 20:35
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 20:35
Heavy duty cable, such as 6 B&S reduces or eliminates voltage drop over longer cable runs.
The longer the run, the more voltage drop that occurs which in turn reduces the ability to maintain a quality charge in a remote battery.
What is required at the remote end of a circuit is voltage of 14.4 volts (or better) when the alternator is supplying a charge.
Depending on the ability of the vehicle alternator to output a good quality voltage, a heavy duty circuit to the rear of your vehicle may be all that is required to connect an auxiliary battery that supplies power to a fridge.
An isolator is required in the circuit to keep the starting battery "isolated" from the auxiliary battery and eliminate the possibility of the fridge, or other higher current drawing device from flattening the starting battery.
Forget about using a 2mm wire and a connection on the trailer plug to feed anything in the camper.
6 B&S dual core cable terminating in 50 amp anderson connectors are the standard solutions for connecting to a camper battery.
Additional improvements such as dc-dc chargers can be added to give the best method of charging remote batteries in a camper or caravan. This enables a multi-stage charging method to AGM type batteries, which are the safest and best type of battery to use both in the rear of your vehicle and a camper or caravan.
AnswerID:
497301
Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 20:54
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 20:54
Hi Brett,
Totally agree with Bill here.
Don't mess with the 7 pin plug to transfer power to the camper, go for the anderson plugs.
Sidewinder, who is a business member here, but more importantly is one of the cheapest suppliers around, has all the gear you need at the right price and is free with his advice most of the time. When you are ready to go send Dereck an email and ask his advice if needed.
But Bill is right on the money for your situation.
Cheers, Bruce.
No connection to sidewinder just a satisfied regular customer.
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Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 22:14
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 22:14
Second Bruce's comments, spot on about the plugs and Sidewinder.
FollowupID:
773131
Reply By: ChrisE - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 01:14
Reply By: SunriseBrett - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 05:38
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 05:38
Thanks to all,
Thats the info i was after.
Kind Regards,
AnswerID:
497329