Wiring questions

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Wiring questions

Postby jonesnforcampin » Wed Apr 20, 2016 4:08 pm

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.
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Re: Wiring questions

Postby H.A. » Wed Apr 20, 2016 5:50 pm

Of.
Last edited by H.A. on Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Wiring questions

Postby jonesnforcampin » Wed Apr 20, 2016 9:10 pm

So any idea on fuse sizes? Or circuit breaker size? Do I just add up the amps and go the next size up?
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Re: Wiring questions

Postby MtnDon » Wed Apr 20, 2016 9:49 pm

Isn't 11 amps on 17 gauge pushing the limit a little? Also I believe wire length in the circuit also plays a factor when sizing the wire size to the load as we usually try to limit the resistance and the resultant voltage drop. Another useful resource.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: Wiring questions

Postby H.A. » Wed Apr 20, 2016 11:34 pm

jonesnforcampin wrote:So any idea on fuse sizes? Or circuit breaker size? Do I just add up the amps and go the next size up?


If you are asking main ampacity ?
Ultimately, an OCPD is to protect its conductor from catching fire. Ampacity of 8 awg is 40-55amps depending on its insulation & ambient temp. So for fun we will we assume its not unusually hot location and decided its going to be THW insulation, we go middle of road and say 50amps.
So a 50 amp OCPD is suitable.
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Re: Wiring questions

Postby jonesnforcampin » Thu Apr 21, 2016 6:23 am

Well..... I was talking to the wife and she informed me that she would like to get a portable TV/DVD combo. Guess I will be redoing the out let circuits to include heavier wire and more circuits with a bigger fuse box.
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