I've been looking around here but not finding exactly what I'm looking for and I don't know enough about electrical to "translate" the info on here to my application.
Our camper is a 5'x10' and I am planning on using a circuit breaker and a 6 way fuse box. Here is what I am thinking for my six circuits from my fuse block and what I can find about how many amps each draws:
1. Fantastic Fan - less than 3 amps on high
2. Stereo - 4 amps
3. (1) cigarette lighter TYPE outlet that also has 2 USB ports & (2) double pin plugs (unknown amp draw due to being outlets)
4. (2) LED map type reading lights (unknown amp probably really low since LED), (1) standard bulb porch light & (2) interior lights using 921 bulb (~1.4 amps)
5. (3) double pin plugs
6. (3) interior lights (~1.4 amps each), (1) LED porch light & (1) standard bulb porch light.
So my questions are:
I have a lot of FREE 17ga wire, a short amount of 9ga, 8ga & 5ga wire. Which wire should I use to go from the battery to a circuit breaker then to the fuse box? Is 17ga heavy enough for my circuits as I have described? If not, can I get a larger fuse box and split the appliances into more circuits? Or do I HAVE to get heavier wire to go from the fuse box to the accessories? I would much rather run more free smaller wire than have to go buy some larger gauge.
What size circuit breaker should I get for between my battery and fuse box?
What size fuses do I put in my circuits?
For the outlets I am not sure what else I would use them for other than charging a phone/tablet (not a computer), a freestanding fantastic fan or a small clip on car fan. There is no way we will be using an inverter to run 110v appliances. I plan to build adapters as I don't want to put cigarette type outlets in my walls due to how I have built them and they are too bulky sticking out of the walls.
Also, I have seen it suggested a lot to put a main switch right after the circuit breaker to power the whole camper down. I think I am just going to get a quick release battery terminal. I put them on all my vehicles for when we go camping if a door accidentally gets left open. I had a boy scout leader who would get his tool box out and unhook the battery every time we got to a camp site, brilliant thing I learned young but upgraded.
Freestanding fantastic fan: http://www.amazon.com/Fan-Tastic-01100W ... 1_2&sr=8-2
Clip on fan: http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-SP570804- ... ns+12v+fan
Reading lights: http://www.amazon.com/LICENSE-PLATE-CHR ... TJOE3FVDYM
Double pin plugs: http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-47965-2-P ... PDKIKX0DER
Standard porch light: http://www.amazon.com/Lumitronics-Repla ... 6X3LNWFD5C
LED porch light: http://www.amazon.com/Lumitronics-Remov ... 6X3LNWFD5C
Fuse block: http://www.amazon.com/6-Way-Illuminated ... ZUGH00IZBP
Circuit breaker like this, unsure of size: http://www.amazon.com/Amico-Protection- ... B0OJ7553H5
Marine Quick release battery terminal: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DNU3MNG?psc=1
I do plan on getting a removable solar panel to charge while we are camping, just not worrying about that right now because my battery and fuse box will be very easily accessible in a tongue box.
I know many if not most builders run both 110ac and 12dc but I know so little about electricity I didn't want to make it too complex. Additionally, I NEVER plan on selling our camper and don't plan on staying at places with shore power. If we end up doing so often I will figure out a converter.