My wiring plans

[Joanne]

Hi all,

I've been thinking about how to set up the wiring systems on my trailer. I've broken the wiring up into three systems; the trailer running lights, the trailer battery charging circuit, and the cabin lights.

Here are the three diagrams that I came up with. Any comments, suggestions, or thoughts about what I've laid out?

Thanks!
Joanne

[angib]

Any comments, suggestions, or thoughts about what I've laid out?

How about a master on-off switch - in my experience, even if you switch off all interior lights and double check that you've done so, they just switch themselves back on again when your back is turned.....

Andrew

[shil]

I concur. Add a master on/off switch and a master fuse, in line between the battery and the fuse block.

[bdosborn]

Joanne,

Here's a link to a sketch I did showing wires sizes and fuse sizes. Add that to your diagram and it would be a great tool for everybody. I think Mike was looking for something like this.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ebdosborn/tea ... iagram.pdf
Bruce

[asianflava]

Those are the prettiest schemtaics I've seen in a long time.

[AmyH]

I have to agree Joanne, those schematics are gorgeous!

Amy

[Steve Frederick]

Joanne, POY-FECT!!!Want a job??? By CAD guy in my office doesn't do as nice a job. His are boring B/W. I agree with the master switch idea. You can get one that clamps on the battery positive post. I have a circuit-breaker in the line from the alternator to the trailer. It's a 30 amp unit from the parts store.

[Guest]

That's very nice Joanne!!!

[Lone Wolf]

I've said it before and I will say it again the people on this board are some of the best thinkers there are around. One thing I would add to charging circuit is a battery automatic isolator so if you forget to turn switch off it will not run your tow battery down. They are usualy installed on trailers with liftgates to keep batterys charged.

[mikeschn]

Very nice Bruce,

Thanks for sharing!

Mike...

Joanne,

Here's a link to a sketch I did showing wires sizes and fuse sizes. Add that to your diagram and it would be a great tool for everybody. I think Mike was looking for something like this.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ebdosborn/tea ... iagram.pdf
Bruce

[gardenwood]

Nice work! Any chance of getting the two schematics posted as a sticky for those of us who'll need this help in the future? Thanks in advance if this can be done.
Roger and Lois

[Guest]

Roger and/or Lois,
I just tried to capture that pdf sketch with screen hunter to do that for you but I see that you can't scroll down with that item, you can only capture what is shown on your monitor. Screen Hunter is the only tool that I have found that will change a pdf file into an image.
Maybe Mike knows a different way to post Joanne's images and also show Bruce's pdf file as an image at the same time in the same post, or maybe we could get Joanne to list the wire sizes in her drawings.

[Joanne]

Thanks all!

I'm really glad that I have been able to make a contribution back to this great group of folks who have given me the encouragement to build my own trailer!

I will revise the drawing to include a master fuse and master cut-off switch. I will also touch base with Bruce to see if we can calculate the appropriate wire sizes and fuses.

I'll be in Reno/Carson City most of next week so it may be a early next week before I have it all completed.

Joanne

[Joanne]

One thing I would add to charging circuit is a battery automatic isolator so if you forget to turn switch off it will not run your tow battery down. They are usualy installed on trailers with liftgates to keep batterys charged.

Hi!

If I understand your post correctly, I think I have it taken care of. The solenoid is normally open, but held closed by the toggle switch AND the ignition switch in series. Even if I forget to turn the toggle switch off, removing the key from the ignition will isolate the trailer battery. (I never leave my keys in the ignition.)

[Joanne]

Joanne,

Here's a link to a sketch I did showing wires sizes and fuse sizes. Add that to your diagram and it would be a great tool for everybody. I think Mike was looking for something like this.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ebdosborn/tea ... iagram.pdf
Bruce

Hey Bruce!

Would you assist me in calculating the appropriate wire and fuse sizes? I don't know the current draw for each of the electrical devices I've identified. I looked at your drawing but wasn't sure if my devices would have the same draw as the ones in your schematic.

Between us we should be able to improve the drawings and make them more useful for everyone.

Thanks in advance.
Joanne