Hello everyone, I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks now lol looks theres a lot of great info and people here
Ive started building a motorhome out of my 2001 Mitsubishi Fighter pan we plan to do a lap around the great country as soon as its finished.
Have got a bit done now just trying to get my head around wiring etc. I understand double pole power points must be used for all the 240v sockets
but all my lighting will be 24v DC. My question is can i use single pole switches for the 24v lighting?
Cheers KTM
Dougwe said
05:23 PM Sep 11, 2015
Welcome to the gang KTM, you lurker you, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I will let those with sparky quals answer your questions. My line of thought is you only need double pole for 240v. I await the answer.
If you don't get it here pop your question into 'Techies'.
Muzzlehatch said
05:38 PM Sep 11, 2015
I bought a box of 20 3W LEDs SPOTS for buggerall, cant remember, cuppla bucks each and most of my other stuff Engel fridge, pumps, etc is 12V. How come you are wiring up 24V internally?
Yeah a single pole switch is fine for low voltages. (IMHO they are fine for 240v too but I dont make the rules and it's not a bone I choose to pick over).
Remember you will need to put in fuses. They aren't really there to protect the apliances. They are more to protect the wiring since the low voltage circuitry can pull high currents / low resistance if shorted and you get to start a fire in your walls.
240v wiring mostly tends to go bang somewhere but a short in 12v wiring tends to get red hot along the affected conductor and set fire to everything.
Be carefull working with batteries too. A spanner dropped across the terminals will be red hot in seconds burning your hand and the sparks can lose an eye. PPE is a good idea. And care always.
Kind Regards and welcome...
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Friday 11th of September 2015 05:47:52 PM
Woody n Sue said
09:41 PM Sep 11, 2015
And it's welcome from us two2
Why 24 v I am no expert but isn't most things camping 12 v I understand the desire for a bit more bang but will it hinder what toys you can get and run in your rig ?
Woody
KTM said
10:31 PM Sep 11, 2015
Thanks for the comments people.
Ok I'm now thinking i will go with a 12v system! The only reason i thought to go 24v with the house batteries was because
theres a 24v charge coming from the alternator.
I will be running a decent solar setup with a 60amp MPPT, now can i feed the 24v from the truck alt straight into the MPPT
along beside my solar panels and then have 12v feeding the house batts?
If not whats the best way to get the 24v down to 12 usable volts.
Im not sure if theres room to run a separate 12v alt but i guess this could be an option.
KTM
Woody n Sue said
11:45 AM Sep 13, 2015
Hi KTM. Although I can't help with the 24 to 12 v there is sure to be someone who can however I think it's time to ask this question in the techie forum as you will get a much wider audience there and I am sure it won't take long to get the answer you need
Woody
Hello everyone, I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks now lol looks theres a lot of great info and people here
Ive started building a motorhome out of my 2001 Mitsubishi Fighter pan we plan to do a lap around the great country as soon as its finished.
Have got a bit done now just trying to get my head around wiring etc. I understand double pole power points must be used for all the 240v sockets
but all my lighting will be 24v DC. My question is can i use single pole switches for the 24v lighting?
Cheers KTM
I will let those with sparky quals answer your questions. My line of thought is you only need double pole for 240v. I await the answer.
If you don't get it here pop your question into 'Techies'.
I bought a box of 20 3W LEDs SPOTS for buggerall, cant remember, cuppla bucks each and most of my other stuff Engel fridge, pumps, etc is 12V. How come you are wiring up 24V internally?
Yeah a single pole switch is fine for low voltages. (IMHO they are fine for 240v too but I dont make the rules and it's not a bone I choose to pick over).
Remember you will need to put in fuses. They aren't really there to protect the apliances. They are more to protect the wiring since the low voltage circuitry can pull high currents / low resistance if shorted and you get to start a fire in your walls.
240v wiring mostly tends to go bang somewhere but a short in 12v wiring tends to get red hot along the affected conductor and set fire to everything.
Be carefull working with batteries too. A spanner dropped across the terminals will be red hot in seconds burning your hand and the sparks can lose an eye. PPE is a good idea. And care always.
Kind Regards and welcome...
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Friday 11th of September 2015 05:47:52 PM
Why 24 v I am no expert but isn't most things camping 12 v I understand the desire for a bit more bang but will it hinder what toys you can get and run in your rig ?
Woody
Ok I'm now thinking i will go with a 12v system! The only reason i thought to go 24v with the house batteries was because
theres a 24v charge coming from the alternator.
I will be running a decent solar setup with a 60amp MPPT, now can i feed the 24v from the truck alt straight into the MPPT
along beside my solar panels and then have 12v feeding the house batts?
If not whats the best way to get the 24v down to 12 usable volts.
Im not sure if theres room to run a separate 12v alt but i guess this could be an option.
KTM
Woody