Hi all. My caravan solar regulator instructions say I should connect all devices to the regulator.
The new diesel heater instructions say I should connect straight to the battery.
Is either of these a more suitable option?
Thanks.
Possum3 said
02:30 PM May 20, 2023
The heater uses a minimal amount of power - I would connect to battery - normally heaters are fitted to offside of van and batteries located on near side so a convenient source to run minimum cable length would be my deciding factor.
Vic01 said
02:40 PM May 20, 2023
Thanks. On start-up, they are said to draw 10 amps for a couple of minutes....
TimTim said
07:35 PM May 20, 2023
Just connect straight to the battery but make sure you have the appropriate size fuse in the cable. There is no reason to use the load terminals on the solar controller although they can be used for things like lighting circuits where you want things on a timer.
-- Edited by TimTim on Saturday 20th of May 2023 07:35:39 PM
Vic01 said
08:27 PM May 20, 2023
That's great, thanks for that. Yes, I'll be using a 15 amp fuse and 6mm auto wire.
yobarr said
10:23 AM May 21, 2023
Vic01 wrote:
That's great, thanks for that. Yes, I'll be using a 15 amp fuse and 6mm auto wire.
Good decision. When I had problems with my diesel heater sometimes being hard to start I visited a chap who knows his stuff. After a quick look he said "Installed by 240 volt electrician", which it was. "They know little about cable size, and that wiring's too small" he said, and after he re-wired it all with 6mm cables, no more problem. Do it once, do it well. Cheers
Stretch60 said
09:11 AM May 27, 2023
And they need a full 12volts to operate. Even though my light's, fridge and water pump ran at 11.8v the diesel heater wouldn't.
Breeze said
12:33 PM May 27, 2023
Absolutely diesel heaters should be wired direct to the battery. Not some existing fuse box or power distribution point. Low voltage is the biggest single cause of diesel heater failure. Green fuel tubing and the clear plastic filters supplied with the diesel heaters come a close second.
Just connect straight to the battery but make sure you have the appropriate size fuse in the cable. There is no reason to use the load terminals on the solar controller although they can be used for things like lighting circuits where you want things on a timer.
-- Edited by TimTim on Saturday 20th of May 2023 07:35:39 PM
That's great, thanks for that. Yes, I'll be using a 15 amp fuse and 6mm auto wire.
Good decision. When I had problems with my diesel heater sometimes being hard to start I visited a chap who knows his stuff.
After a quick look he said "Installed by 240 volt electrician", which it was. "They know little about cable size, and that wiring's too small" he said, and after he re-wired it all with 6mm cables, no more problem. Do it once, do it well. Cheers
Absolutely diesel heaters should be wired direct to the battery.
Not some existing fuse box or power distribution point.
Low voltage is the biggest single cause of diesel heater failure.
Green fuel tubing and the clear plastic filters supplied with the diesel heaters come a close second.