(Revised!) My first wiring diagram.

[Evan Gaffney]

Hi all,
Like many on here, I am lurking and planning for a long time in advance before I actually make sawdust. I'm trying to plan the electrical system for my tear now, and I'm a little intimidated. I studied physics in college and I've worked on 12v systems in cars before, so you could say I'm "informed, but not experienced."

Here is what I'm thinking for my power system:

-Shore power goes to basic power strip for interior and galley 110V outlets (I'm thinking this for simplicity, but are there safety issues?)
-Shore power also goes to PD9245 charger/inverter, charging an optima deep cycle battery.

12v system includes:
-2 galley outlets
-2 cabin outlets
-2 galley lights
-2 porch lights (both on same switch)
-2 switched reading lights
-Dome light
-Fantastic fan
-Stereo (nothing fancy)

All lights will be LED (warm white)
110v outlets will not be used much (tiny microwave and maybe coffee pot) and only when hooked to shore power (no inverter).

I would like to be able to go off the grid for a couple days without charging (no 110, obvioulsy).

Okay, so here goes. I apologize if this wiring diagram makes no sense at all, but my skills are limited in this department.



Here are my questions:
Which optima battery would be appropriate for this application?
Is my power strip idea safe for the usage discussed?
Are there obvious faults in my diagram?
What did I leave out that you would put in?

[Forrest747]

looks good.


I would now plan all the wires and switches and led lights and outlets. A power strip does simplify stuff for sure and has that built in circuit breaker.

Depending on length from converter to battery but 10 gauge wire should be enough.

low wattage wires go 20 to 22

AC cant go wrong with 14/2.

what fuse block you thinking and neutral return?

Just some things to think about

[absolutsnwbrdr]

looks good.

+1

Theres nothing wrong with the powerstrip. Definitely helps simplify the AC wiring!

[bobhenry]

You might want to ground your drivers side porch lite.

Just picking at ya !


I did catch one thing you have porch lites wired together you may want to switch them seperatly.

I placed my porch light switches just inside the door on each side . It saves ya from crawling all the way in and looking for it or having to walk around to the switched side.

[Forrest747]

As we would say in Bedford never trust anyone from north of Indianapolis. They cant even put thier socks on with out making sure it was ok with the Daleys and the Irish.


Other than that he does have a good point about switches close in the door.

[bobhenry]

And I am just a little bit north of indianapolis !

[Evan Gaffney]

You might want to ground your drivers side porch lite.

Just picking at ya !


I did catch one thing you have porch lites wired together you may want to switch them seperatly.

I placed my porch light switches just inside the door on each side . It saves ya from crawling all the way in and looking for it or having to walk around to the switched side.

Thanks, Bob. I was expecting a little picking on the rough draft, so no worries. Just the kind of input I was looking for!

Things to fix:
-Take porch lights out of series and rig them in parallel
-Switches on both sides for porch lights (and I suppose dual switches for the dome light would be nice too... )
-In line fuse and kill switch from the battery

What else? Any input on my battery/charging system choice?

[bobhenry]

When I wired Chubby I located the inside light switches by simply lying down and place my hand comfortably flat on the wall. That was where the switch panel went.

And yes there were his' and her's inside lights and switches to match the his' and her's. porch lites and the his' and her's doors

[jss06]

Looks good.

May I suggest you move the PD9245 as close as possible to the battery. You want to avoid voltage drop between the charger and the battery as much as possible.

I run the same converter in my trailer. It works good.

[Dale M.]

Yeah... Put porch light switch near "each door" and it only needs to operate light at that particular door....

Also put in his & hers reading lamps (maybe dome lamps too) or three way switch on single dome lamp...

As for diagram, ground drivers side door lamp as someone else mentioned...

Dale

[Engineer Guy]

On my way to Quartzsite AZ, as written up in the 'Trip' section here, I chatted up a fellow with a sweet CT Conversion. He had a Motion Detector LED Porch Light that really impressed me. I assume the 'ON' time was Switch-selectable. I also assume they aren't cheap just yet, but it sure was convenient.

As we stood outside BS'ing, it would come on only if one of us moved or gestured. It was bright, but not obnoxious. I mentally Bookmarked one for retrofit to my lil TT, or a future CT Conversion.

Besides after-hours set-up when stuff is being hauled in/out the Door, I could see one of these Lights up by the Tongue for tasks up there...

[Evan Gaffney]

On my way to Quartzsite AZ, as written up in the 'Trip' section here, I chatted up a fellow with a sweet CT Conversion. He had a Motion Detector LED Porch Light that really impressed me. I assume the 'ON' time was Switch-selectable. I also assume they aren't cheap just yet, but it sure was convenient.

As we stood outside BS'ing, it would come on only if one of us moved or gestured. It was bright, but not obnoxious. I mentally Bookmarked one for retrofit to my lil TT, or a future CT Conversion.

Besides after-hours set-up when stuff is being hauled in/out the Door, I could see one of these Lights up by the Tongue for tasks up there...

Motion detectors are a thought. I'll look into it!

[Evan Gaffney]

Okay, i tried to address all the issues mentioned in this new diagram. Let's start with the obvious.

-I moved the charger/converter closer to the battery to reduce voltage drop

-I moved the fuse block up front

-I put all the lights (LEDs) on one fuse and wired them all from the same block (front bulkhead)

-I fixed the porch lights. Each side now has its own switch by the doors

-I ran an extension cord off the AC power strip to put an AC outlet up front.



I have some other ideas that I haven't incorporated yet:
-A 3 way switch for the dome light, run from both doors (next to porch light switches). This thread has a diagram http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11307
-Some rope light LEDs around the cabin to act as trim AND mood lighting with one of these bad boys (http://www.amazon.com/Dimming-Controlle ... E93KJV802H) as a dimmer
-Some extra wires from front bulkhead to rear bulkhead (just in case)

[aggie79]

You may want to think about a battery disconnect switch and a circuit breaker in the hot lead of the battery.

Also, you may want to check your radio to see if it draws power to keep the station settings, etc. If so, you may want to add a disconnect so you don't discharge your battery by the radio current draw.

[Evan Gaffney]

You may want to think about a battery disconnect switch and a circuit breaker in the hot lead of the battery.

Also, you may want to check your radio to see if it draws power to keep the station settings, etc. If so, you may want to add a disconnect so you don't discharge your battery by the radio current draw.

Both excellent ideas, added to the punchlist. Thanks!