Split Charge - which wire / fuses for accessories?

[Zimbok]

Hi, I've just bought a Raw Components split charge kit with the additional fusebox and also an 80ah leisure battery to fit under the passenger seat. I haven't yet fitted it but I'm hoping that when I follow the instructions I'll be able to fit it ok.

Say I get that far successfully my aim is to use the leisure battery for (1) the cooler box (I've already bought the 12v cigarette type fitment and fitted this where the coolbox sits - just plug in the coolerbox), (2) the vans radio/cd, (3) the sink tap /submersible pump type thing and (4) some type of lighting for the inside of the van.

Now this is where I get totally lost and I have searched this forum to get an understanding but still I am a more than a little confused. Which / what wire (colour / thickness / amp?) and what fuses (8a, 15a, 10a etc?) would I use for each of the above. If I could afford it yes I'd take it to an electrician and it may be better to wait until I have some spare cash to do so, but if I could get some guidance perhaps its something I could tackle myself.

Cheers in anticipation.

[California Dreamin]

Hi, I've just bought a Raw Components split charge kit with the additional fusebox and also an 80ah leisure battery to fit under the passenger seat. I haven't yet fitted it but I'm hoping that when I follow the instructions I'll be able to fit it ok.

Say I get that far successfully my aim is to use the leisure battery for (1) the cooler box (I've already bought the 12v cigarette type fitment and fitted this where the coolbox sits - just plug in the coolerbox), (2) the vans radio/cd, (3) the sink tap /submersible pump type thing and (4) some type of lighting for the inside of the van.

Now this is where I get totally lost and I have searched this forum to get an understanding but still I am a more than a little confused. Which / what wire (colour / thickness / amp?) and what fuses (8a, 15a, 10a etc?) would I use for each of the above. If I could afford it yes I'd take it to an electrician and it may be better to wait until I have some spare cash to do so, but if I could get some guidance perhaps its something I could tackle myself.

Cheers in anticipation.

I presume you have 1 heavy wire (50 amp) going from the leisure batteries positive terminal upto the auxilary fuse boxes buz bar (bar feeding all the fuses) this 'feed wire' should really have it's own fuse close to the battery (40amps)
As for individual fuse ratings....look at the consumer rating of each of your anchillaries then add around 50% for the fuse rating (go to the next fuse rating up from your calculation)
At a guess:
Coolerbox is 4 - 8 amps so maybe 10 or 15 amp fuse.
CD radio 2 - 4 amps, so 5 or 10amp fuse.
Interior lighting is normally pretty low so 10 amps
Pump...quite a surge so 15 amp

Colours: you could either give all the positive feeds to your anchillaries a different colour or just stick to Red.
All earths black or brown.
Cable sizes rated at least double there consumer rating ie: 8amp fridge at least 16amp cable.
Note* cable lengths more than a couple of metres go for the next rating higher to allow for voltage drop.
So that 16 amp cable feeding the fridge now needs rating at 25 amps.

All rough guides..if in doubt go heavier gauge.

Martin

[Zimbok]

I presume you have 1 heavy wire (50 amp) going from the leisure batteries positive terminal upto the auxilary fuse boxes buz bar (bar feeding all the fuses) this 'feed wire' should really have it's own fuse close to the battery (40amps)

Martin, many thanks for the info. I had a look at the details relating to the fusebox on the website and it states...

"8 Slot Surface Mounted Fuse Holder Kit - The kit is designed to enable easy connection of the fuseholder to the battery for a multi-accessory installation, one cable off the battery split into 8. A master 30 amp fuse and high quality splash proof fuseholder protect the wiring to the input side of the 8 way fuseholder. 8 standard blade fuses are supplied for the fusebox (2x10, 2x7.5, 2x5, 2x3 amp). Each circuit of the 8 way split is capable of running a maximum of 15 amps. The total current that can be pulled through the fusebox as a whole is governed by the master 30 amp fuse"

Would I be able to use the same guage wiring / cable for all the ancillaries I mention (and use the different amp fuses) or is this not the case.

Cheers,
Howard

[California Dreamin]

Absolutely.....use the same gauge wire but that wire must be rated at least 50% higher than your heaviest consumer.
As the highest single circuit must not exceed 15 amps I would recommend 2.0mm2 17.5amp cable for all. 4.5mm2 35amp minimum as your supply.
As I said...always rate higher over longer lengths, fuse ratings should always be less than the cable rating on that circuit.
Martin

[Zimbok]

Cheers Martin, Thanks for that.