Earthing for new lights

[Richardwhite]

Hi there folks,

I've got a quick, and probably very simple query about how to earth new electrical items...

I wired in a new fuse box for the leisure electrics today, all good and working with fuses for each thing (fridge, heater, radio etc). However I want to add some extra LED lighting and although I know that the positive can be wired into the new fuse box, where should I wire the earth/negative wire? I've had a dig around to look at the existing electrics and I can see a point that they all return to.
Any advice would be great, I'm definitely not destined to be an auto electrician!
Cheers
Richard

[bluedirtydigit]

Just find a screw or bolt close to the light fitting that screws in to metal and attach there, if not one close by you can always drill a hole and attach self tapping screw just make sure you have some bare metal to make a good contact.

[AdrianC]

where should I wire the earth/negative wire? I've had a dig around to look at the existing electrics and I can see a point that they all return to.

The whole of the bodywork is earthed. Everything metal.

[Mocki]

where should I wire the earth/negative wire? I've had a dig around to look at the existing electrics and I can see a point that they all return to.

The whole of the bodywork is earthed. Everything metal.

Assuming the leisure battery is chassis earthed and split charged.
I came across one recently that wasn't, everything was connected back to the battery independently and the battery was only charged by a mains charger on hook up. There was no connection to chassis earth!

[AdrianC]

where should I wire the earth/negative wire? I've had a dig around to look at the existing electrics and I can see a point that they all return to.

The whole of the bodywork is earthed. Everything metal.

Assuming the leisure battery is chassis earthed and split charged.

Good point.

I came across one recently that wasn't, everything was connected back to the battery independently and the battery was only charged by a mains charger on hook up. There was no connection to chassis earth!

<gibber>

[Richardwhite]

Brilliant, thanks chaps

As far as I can tell the rest of the electrics are as they should be - chassis earthed and with a split charge relay that all works fine. It was just a case on how to add extras! The only thing missing is the Westy BBB but I've got a separate charger so no probs there.
Thanks again!

[California Dreamin]

Earth close to the light unit (perhaps on the light mounting itself if screwing into metal), or the nearest existing earth point, Best use a crimped eyelet connection. However, the issue is often attaching a connection to such a small gauge wire (used on LED lights because of their low power) without breaking it.

Martin

[CJH]

However, the issue is often attaching a connection to such a small gauge wire (used on LED lights because of their low power) without breaking it.

Very true - tiny wires are difficult to terminate. Double crimps help (bottom half of this page) - first crimp holds the insulation, second crimp holds the bared wires - then a bit of solder won't hurt, and a bit of heat shrink adds mechanical strength even if it isn't needed on an earth wire.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I always solder - can't abide crimped connections as I have seen so many that have corrosion in them. Always shrink tube them also as the insulation gripping can be a weak point after soldering which can lead to fracturing of the wires due to work hardening.

[Richardwhite]

Thanks for the advice OBG, I'm never really sure if it's better to use crimps or solder - especially when joining two lengths of wire.
I need to extend the +ve wire from the battery to the new fuse box by 6 inches - in an ideal world id replace the whole length but in this case the wire disappears behind the cupboards and I don't want to remove the whole interior just for that! It's joined with a connector block at the mo but does anyone have a better method?

[Cableguy]

You can join if you know what your doing.

[Richardwhite]

Questionable...