Help with electrical.

[andreuther]

I need some help with my electrical setup. My plan is to run 2 LED lights and an outlet in the cabin, 1 LED light and an outlet in the galley. I plan on using the outlets to run a small fan and charge my accessories. My plan is to use harbor freight solar panels to charge a boat/trailer battery. I have no clue where to start with all of this. I need a step by step walkthrough of the materials needed and how to install them. I will be the first to admit that I am an idiot when it comes to electrical issues. This is probably a redundant post, but I could not find my answers though searching. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Martiangod]

Are you talking 110 outlets or 12vlt?
12 volt side, you will need to fuse each cicuit, run to wires to each fixture, wired back to a terminal block or
The battery, fuse each cicuit close to battery or terminal strip. You could use inline fuses for simplicity
Or a fuse strip as a termi.al block
simple would be to use switched fixtures
So you dont have to wire switches.
On the 110 side can be as simple as a plug in strip and an
extension cord or as complex as the space shuttle

[KCStudly]

Have you seen the electrical forum here on the tnttt board? Lots of good info there, but, yes, it can be overwhelming to a novice.

Have patience, read up on the basics in the stickies and go from there. The "super simple electrical system" is a good place to start. Bruce's explanation of choosing wire and fuse sizes is also a good reference.

Stranded wire "for automotive use" is good place to start. Look for more fine strands rather than a few larger strands. Also, look to see that there is not a big fat skin of insulation over a tiny core of wire; some cheap wire makers try to make there products look more substantial by matching the outside diameter of the good stuff, while providing less of the expensive copper part.

Good wire can be surprisingly costly, especially when bought in small quantities, or when buying lots of different colors for a system. All of the little packs of one-zee-two-zee terminals add up, too, so it is advisable to plan your system out in detail and buy everything you need from a wholesaler, like Del City, or a local electrical specialty house (Like EW- Electrical Wholesalers).

Just my take on things.

[Mary C]

If you havent bought your solar panels yet you might want to check with Suncatcher, KC. and bdosborn and check around here sometimes there are good deals found by the "electrical guys" on the forum who are great to find good Deals and they know about the quality of them the solar panels. I have already read that yes HF sometimes can seem like a good deal but there are some quality aspects you have to be careful of. Good luck ! I may have the spelling of the guys names wrong but at least I tried!!


Mary C.

[Vedette]

Be sure to check ebay for your electrical components. You will save a ton of money.
Everything you need is there! Converters, lights, shoreline plugs, extension cords, etc. at about half of the price you will pay at local RV dealers!
There are some great fixtures too. I got the best galley light ever,very slim in depth, has built in switch, throws tons of light and it was cheap!
Good Roads
Brian