ground and fuse jumpers

[rhltechie]

does it matter what gauge cable is used to make the jumpers for the fuse and ground block?

[looped]

fwiw i saved all the diagrams for wiring that i could find here to my computer for future reference, here is one that addresses guage to some degree.

[Larwyn]

Yes, the jumpers need to be heavy enough to carry not only the current of the circuit connected at it's own position but any downstream circuits also. I would use wire rated for the total load of the fuse block for the fuse block. If you can find a copper bar about 1" wide and 1/8" or thicker, drill and tap that for your ground buss and you will need no jumpers.

The easiest solution is to use a fuse block similar to the one that I used. The fuse block that I used has all the fuses already connected to the positive buss and for convenience a ground buss was included in the design. No jumpers required.

[rhltechie]

hi thanks for that...i had saved that one as well..good info on there! what i didnt see though was the detail of the jumper gauges. so maybe i should just go with 12g jumpers? i just hate to have bulky wiring for my jumpers if its unnecessary.

EDIT

hi larwyn...hmm...do you have a linky to what you used? you are saying with what you used i wouldnt have to do the jumpers correct?

[Larwyn]

I picked up that fuse block in the boating section at Bass Pro Shops or Gander Mountain don't remember which.
But I know I have seen it in other sporting goods stores also. Just check out the boating accessories, you should be able to find one.

Yes, no jumpers is a good thing. Fewer mechanical connections is a good thing...

[Larwyn]

I used a 6 position version of the one at this link.

http://bluesea.com/category/5/21/productline/126

[rhltechie]

oohh..this lil dodad looks pretty neat. so lemme get this straight, it also has the ground on it as well? you bring both wires from the battery to this device? if so...that def looks like something i would interested in!

[Larwyn]

oohh..this lil dodad looks pretty neat. so lemme get this straight, it also has the ground on it as well? you bring both wires from the battery to this device? if so...that def looks like something i would interested in!

Yes, it takes care of both the positive and the negative buss. Looks neat and was not all that expensive. Both battery cables go to the fuse block. I did put a 30 amp circuit breaker (auto reset) in the positive lead between the battery and the fuse block. Other than that the buss side of the DC wiring is taken care of at the factory which produced the fuse block.

[rhltechie]

ah..hmm..i am def considering switching my plans to this. it looks very organized as well...i like that.

you used something this little guy?

[Larwyn]

ah..hmm..i am def considering switching my plans to this. it looks very organized as well...i like that.

you used something this little guy?

Yep, that breaker looks just like the one I used.

[rhltechie]

i have placed an order! thanks larwyn..i am always looking for more ways for me to be lazy. another thing i wanted to ask you...your wire from battery to fuse to block looks huge!! what gauge did you use?

[Larwyn]

i have placed an order! thanks larwyn..i am always looking for more ways for me to be lazy. another thing i wanted to ask you...your wire from battery to fuse to block looks huge!! what gauge did you use?

That is 6 gauge welding cable. It's larger than needed but I had it on hand, it is very flexible and the piece I used was too short to make a worth while welding cable. Besides, I think it looks good there......

[rhltechie]

hehe.. i think you are right, it does look good. its not practical for me..but it looks great on your build!

I was looking at the above chart and its a bit confusing to me...do you think 12g would be ok for the battery runs or do i need to go into the 10-8 range?

[Larwyn]

hehe.. i think you are right, it does look good. its not practical for me..but it looks great on your build!

I was looking at the above chart and its a bit confusing to me...do you think 12g would be ok for the battery runs or do i need to go into the 10-8 range?

It would depend on the total load you could put on the circuit. If you can run everything with 20 amps total then 12 gauge would be okay. I like to run wire a little bigger than what the charts call for, it never hurts unless there are clearance or weight issues..

Yes that chart is a bit confusing. Looks like they used 8 gauge on the positive side of the inverter and 12 gauge on the negative side. I cannot think of a case where it would help anything to have the Positive cable larger then the negative cable, they are both in the same circuit.

[rhltechie]

I think i have espn cause i knew you would say "it depends" I concur with your running it a bit bigger than you might need. i have started a spreadsheet of all the things i will be running...so i will see what comes of it. i have plenty of time to decide all of this as i havent even gotten started!

i REALLY appreciate all of your responses to my inquiring mind