How to test a circuit I've wired

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How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby szern » Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:55 am

Hello All! I'm totally new to wiring and have been trying my best to learn what I can through this forum & Youtube. I just wired a usb, 12 volt outlet & switch together and want to test it out to see if it works. Is it as simple as touching the + (black) and - (white) wires to my deep cycle marine battery poles? Thanks!
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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby Gettin Started » Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:07 am

That's how i tested my 12v wiring when building my trailer. Touch pos/neg to a small battery and see if it works.
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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby Dale M. » Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:14 am

Probably as long as you are sure of polarity (colors) .... Got a volt meter?..... Connect it up and check voltages are in correct place for 12VDC accessory plug and USB connector...

USB pin outs...
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Might feel more comfortable sacrificing (extra) USB cable for access to power for polarity checks...

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Be very careful with probes in USB connector and pins and area are very confined, short it out and probably "POOF" you let the "magic smoke" out...

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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby szern » Mon Jan 01, 2018 11:19 am

Thanks for your help and for the posted diagrams! It actually worked! I just touched the black wire (+) to the positive pole of my battery and the white wire (-) to the negative pole of the battery and the led light on the switch came on as well as the usb port! I am attempting to post a picture of the wiring as well as a somewhat current photo of my build. I've never posted pics here before so not sure if I will be successful.
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Last edited by szern on Mon Jan 01, 2018 11:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby tony.latham » Mon Jan 01, 2018 11:34 am

Just in case this thread is viewed by the next builder ––make sure your hot wire is properly fused before you run the test.

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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby szern » Mon Jan 01, 2018 1:24 pm

Thanks for the warning Tony. I am just learning electricity and wiring so I can use all the help I can get from you all on this forum. The device is a duel USB socket charger 2.1 amp and 2.1 amp with LED voltmeter and 12 volt power outlet and a switch. From what I've read I should use a fuse that is slightly higher than what the device will draw so do you think a 5 amp fuse would be good to use to test out the circuit. Something like the picture below?
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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby Boatguy249 » Mon Jan 01, 2018 4:41 pm

szern wrote:Hello All! I'm totally new to wiring and have been trying my best to learn what I can through this forum & Youtube. I just wired a usb, 12 volt outlet & switch together and want to test it out to see if it works. Is it as simple as touching the + (black) and - (white) wires to my deep cycle marine battery poles? Thanks!
Yes but you must do so while standing on your head



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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby tony.latham » Mon Jan 01, 2018 6:26 pm

The fuse should be rated to protect the wire size not the expected draw. There are lots of charts on what wire gauges will handle what amps with a 12v DC circuit.
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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby szern » Mon Jan 01, 2018 6:54 pm

Thanks again Tony - I'll check it out.
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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby szern » Mon Jan 01, 2018 7:39 pm

Based on this chart I found I should use 15 amp fuses since I'm using 14 gauge wire.

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Re: How to test a circuit I've wired

Postby tony.latham » Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:37 pm

szern wrote:Based on this chart I found I should use 15 amp fuses since I'm using 14 gauge wire.

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