sagexpman
Loveland, Colorado
Full Member
Joined: 04/08/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
Just finished installing a Perko battery switch on the Jayco. I have a pair of 12 volt Trojans on the way next week. Both the original + and - wires are 10 gauge. The + from the trailer goes to common terminal on the switch and then you have to run a + from terminal 1 and 2 to the batteries + terminal. I used 10 gauge wire for this. The length is about 5 to 6 feet from the switch to the batteries. I will also use 10 gauge - wire to tie the two batteries to the trailer - wire.
So here is my questions, do you see and problem using 10 gauge wire from the switch to the batteries at a distance of 5 or 6 feet? I will post some pix after I get the batteries installed.
I know that Big Johnson made this mod and posted some pix of it. That's where I got the idea. In his pix the wire size appeared to be a larger then 10 gauge.
Thanks for the help,
Rick
1998 HD Chevy Silverado 2500
- Super Charged Vortec 5.7
- Air Lift Suspension System
- Drawtite WD hitch with 1200# bars
- Drawtite DC sway control
- Honda EU3000IS
2005 Jayco JayFlight 31BHS
|
wolfe10
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 10/08/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
Wire gauge is based on electrical load (in amps).
If all you run is some lights, etc. 10 gauge is fine.
But if you run a TV, lights, inverter powering other stuff, you will have quite a voltage loss using 10 gauge wire.
The conservative answer (the way I go) is that it costs little more to oversize the wire and KNOW that you will not experience an excessive voltage drop.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
|
wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I see no problem however I'd be inclined to pick up the proper length of starter cable (Ford type with lugs on both ends) as it's pre-made and it's 4ga and it's easy to work with and hook up. Quite literally designed for the job
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
|
hwybnb
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2001
View Profile
|
Edit to correct my misunderstanding.
I think AWG 10 wire is a little light. I would go with AWG 4.
|
ScottG
Bothell Wa.
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
|
I used 4 AWG which I bought on-line with all the lugs I needed for less than half the cost of wire alone at a local HW store.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4 Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
|
|
|
riddellr
Belleville, IL, USA
Full Member
Joined: 08/03/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I recently performed a similar project, but I used the Interstate US2200 6 Volt Golf Cart batteries. I retained the original 30 amp fuse rating that was on the original battery and kept with the 8 gauge wire that was factory installed in the unit. Last weekend, I was camping and had the fridge, stove vent blower, furnace, 5 lights (bulbs), 9" 12v TV and 13" 120v TV (on 200 Watt Inverter) all powered at once with minimal voltage loss (Fluke measured 12.5 volts under load at the distribution panel). I don't know what your load will be, but I'd say mine was pretty heavy for those couple of hours.
Hope this helps,
Bob
|
sagexpman
Loveland, Colorado
Full Member
Joined: 04/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks for the replies guys. I have been out of town for a few days and have not had a chance to thank you all. Pix are coming soon......
Rick
|
smkettner
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
How many amps is the converter charge rated at?
I would not go smaller than the OEM wire to the battery.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
|
sagexpman
Loveland, Colorado
Full Member
Joined: 04/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I believe that the converter is rated at 35 amps. The original wiring to the battery is 10 gauge so my thought is that 10 gauge to connect to the switch would be okay.
|
sagexpman
Loveland, Colorado
Full Member
Joined: 04/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Okay the Perko battery switch mod is done complete with a new pair of Trojans  Here are the pix..... (Thanks for the idea Big Johnson)
|
|
|
