Confused about electrical wiring

[lhopkins]

Okay. I am building a TD and i am at the stage now where I need to make major decisions about electrical wiring and have no idea what to buy. I do not mind paying a professional to wire it for me but i don't know where to start. My idea is to have a portable A/C inside the cabin and vent through the bottom of the TD. That is the only major appliance I will have (this is a request from my wife). The other items include two outside lights, two inside cabin lights, and a TV inside and a hatch outlet to plug in coffee maker. What do I need to buy? I want both shore power option and battery option when there is no shore power. Do i buy an inverter, converter, what? I have seen where a fuse panel is needed? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[TPMcGinty]

Okay. I am building a TD and i am at the stage now where I need to make major decisions about electrical wiring and have no idea what to buy. I do not mind paying a professional to wire it for me but i don't know where to start. My idea is to have a portable A/C inside the cabin and vent through the bottom of the TD. That is the only major appliance I will have (this is a request from my wife). The other items include two outside lights, two inside cabin lights, and a TV inside and a hatch outlet to plug in coffee maker. What do I need to buy? I want both shore power option and battery option when there is no shore power. Do i buy an inverter, converter, what? I have seen where a fuse panel is needed? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Where do you live? Maybe there is someone close by that can help. If lived nearby me I would be willing to help.

[eamarquardt]

Yer gonna have a DC system and an AC system. They can be completely separate (except a battery charger will be need to connect to the AC to power it).

A DC system can be as simple as a battery, charger, and fuses. Or any number of doodads can be connected to it. Solar panels, solar charge controller, low voltage disconnect, circuit breakers, 120 volt battery charger, etc, etc, etc.

An AC system can be as simple as a power strip and an extension cord or it can be complete with circuit breakers, GFI, etc, etc, etc,

A lot of people swear by these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PROGRESSIVE-DYN ... 7d&vxp=mtr

Gives you all the essentials for a simple AC and DC system in one package. There are other (imported) brands on the market but PD seems to have a good reputation.

I'd suggest you get one of the PD modules. Then you just have to wire it to your AC input, to your DC circuits, and your AC circuits.

You can go on their website: http://www.progressivedyn.com/all_in_one_pd4500_1.html and download the installation manual. After you read it you can plan your installation and ask more detailed questions on the forum. Rather than spend money on a "professional" installer I'd spend the money on a unit like this and do it yourself.

I'm gonna build my system out of separate components but I have a lot of parts on hand and want a more sophisticated DC set up and a very simple (extension cord) AC set up. I have no use for AC other than for the battery charger and (perhaps) an air conditioner. Both of these can be plugged into an extension cord or single power strip.

Here is a good site that talks about which size wire to use: http://www.rallylights.com/hella/SensibleWiring.aspx

On the AC side 12 gauge should be adequate for the supply side and 14 or 12 gauge should be sufficient for the circuits depending upon your load and the circuit breakers you install.

Read, ask questions, plan, ask more questions, execute.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[Shadow Catcher]

I will second Gus, Progressive Dynamics has one of if not the best reputation in the RV world. One idea is not having the AC attached, ours works very well and for which I did a write up.

[bdosborn]

Electrical Linky

Bruce

[Bogo]

Electrical Linky

Bruce

On that cabin electrical diagram. I notice the positive (+) wire from the converter to the battery is 8AWG, the negative (-) wire from the converter to the battery also needs to be 8 AWG too, not 12 AWG. The current supplied by the converter needs a proper return path back to the converter. Don't rely on the ground path through the frame being good. With 40 Amps going to the circuit breaker panel, then it also needs an 8 AWG wire from the battery to it. Same goes for the ground block.

For those 8 AWG wires it may be easiest to get generic battery terminal wires with the eyelet ends already on them. It will depend on what type of termination the devices like the cutoff switch and fuse block has. Using pre made generic battery terminal wires may mean getting 4AWG is easier, but over sizing only means extra weight and cost and these are likely to be short wires.

If your battery has stud posts, then wires with eyelets will be easier to use. Note: They generally use slightly different sizes for the eyelets on positive and negative wires. 3/8" is standard for positive and 5/6" is standard for negative. With the old style car battery post, get military style battery terminal clamps and then you can use wires with eyelets on the ends.

Military style battery clamps:

Military part numbers are embossed right on them: A52425-1 and A52425-2 I know NAPA sells them. It is also possible to find them in non lead versions.

[bdosborn]

Yeah, I saw that after I posted it. Embarrassed I missed that in 2005 and I wondered if anyone would catch it.

[eamarquardt]

Yeah, I saw that after I posted it. Embarrassed I missed that in 2005 and I wondered if anyone would catch it.

Perhaps a recall is in order.

Cheers,

Gus

[bdosborn]

Not by me, I'm done arguing over one line diagrams. I broke my own rule by replying to this post.

Bruce

[bdosborn]

Oh alright, here it is:



Bruce

[lhopkins]

Thanks for all the help. So now i think i have settled on the Super Simple wiring listed in this thread. I also assume i can buy a charger to plug into the electrical strip to charge the battery while plugged into shore power. This takes care of the power in my galley. What is do not know is how to run wiring to my fan on top of the camper and run wiring to my lights. Do I go from the battery to fuse box and from the fuse box to the lights and fan?

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=37732&start=15

[Tommy2tone_1999]

I am dumber than a bag of hammers when it comes to electrical work, so easy diagrams like this are a HUGE help. Can someone modify this to show how I would add a PD 4045 to the system?

[bowhuntersd]

can an inverter be spliced into this configuration for offshore camping?

[Shadow Catcher]

Off shore, you going to sea? For off shore-power yes you can. I actually wired our Morningstar Sursine inverter to work with our Progressive Dynamics power center with a 30A DPDT switch (finding the switch was the hard part).

[bowhuntersd]

Let me rephrase that, how about when I'm not at a spot that provides electricity and off the grid! got pictures or how did you do it? I'll find the switch. oh wait, I think I found your comment in another site. found the switch but it looks confusing to hooking up! Is this the relay your talking about?

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/produc ... U=70185037

Oh and by the way, Just because you see me as a new participant in this site doesn't mean I'm a dumbass. No body likes a smartass when looking for advise!!