Posted 2005-06-28 5:51 PM (#27314) Subject: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Hi, I'm ready to start running electricity in my LQ. The battery box is up under the nose. However, all of my appliances will be at the back wall of the LQ on the slant wall. I had planned to put in a cabinet against that wall, so to me it makes sense to put my fuse panel in there and run the 12v cable to the fuse panel.
My question is would I run the 12v cable inside the trailer or would it be better to run it underneath the trailer? It will be in conduit, either way. I'd prefer to run it inside, unless there's a reason not to do so.
Posted 2005-06-28 7:07 PM (#27317 - in reply to #27314) Subject: RE: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Expert
Posts: 2955 Location: North Carolina
If you're running 12 volts from a battery to various 12 volt appliances, you want to run the shortest distance either under or through the interior. The wire to carry power (in amps) gets very large, costly and heavy, at a given distance.
Posted 2005-06-28 7:38 PM (#27318 - in reply to #27317) Subject: RE: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Looks like it will run about 7 feet from the battery to the fuse panel, which is the length of the shortwall. The appliances will be situated next to the fuse panel. The only thing remote from the fuse panel are the lights. I will draw a diagram to post...
Posted 2005-06-28 10:55 PM (#27330 - in reply to #27318) Subject: RE: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Expert
Posts: 2955 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by NoSpam on 2005-06-28 8:38 AM
Looks like it will run about 7 feet from the battery to the fuse panel, which is the length of the shortwall. The appliances will be situated next to the fuse panel. The only thing remote from the fuse panel are the lights. I will draw a diagram to post...
I would place the fuse panel very close to the battery. and have wire run to each appliance. This keeps the unprotected wire to a bare minimum. (Unless you put a fuse between the panel and the battery, the wire could get damaged and set fire to your trailer) The fuse panel protects each wire to the appliance. That's the purpose of the fuse panel.
Posted 2005-06-29 10:34 AM (#27357 - in reply to #27314) Subject: RE: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Veteran
Posts: 173 Location: Arcata, CA
I agree with Hosspuller on this one. Consider putting the fusepanel under your step or futon backrest (inside but accessable). I put mine in the bootbox, but added louvered vents to allow air to get in there.
You're doing a great job, and I'm sure there are many folks that are learning from your well documented progress.
Posted 2005-06-29 10:48 AM (#27358 - in reply to #27357) Subject: RE: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Thanks, the point is well taken. I will put the fuse panel under the futon... Then probably run the wiring down through the floor and under the trailer. I crawled under it and there is a very good channel underneath alongside the floor supports (the fenders create a nice space) where I can install a conduit and the wire will be well protected. I thought it would be simpler to have the fuse panel near the appliances, but it turns out there's only 1 appliance that uses electric anyway. The diagram brought that fact to my immediate attention. DOHT!
Posted 2005-07-01 7:47 PM (#27508 - in reply to #27358) Subject: RE: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
Hi Michelle,
I agree with hosspuller and packerpete. get it as close to your battery as you can. Mine is about 7 feet away from my battery. I used a 8awg wire (a big wire) to run to my fuse block. I then used 14awg to run throughout the trailer (that's also what the factory wireing is), although if I had to do it again I'd probably use 12awg. Hope this helps.
Posted 2005-07-05 8:56 AM (#27599 - in reply to #27508) Subject: RE: running 12V electric - inside or out?
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Thanks, good to know about the guage. I got 14g for it, but can still change to 12g. The fuse block is installed and sit 3 inches from the battery. I ended up cutting the bottom of my wood firring strips a half-inch short so I could run a nice flexible conduit around the bottom of my trailer, it looks like that will work well. Hopefully I can get the wiring done this week and put up some pictures on my site.
running 12V electric - inside or out?
