Well, the 12V re-wire of My Avan and Prado has commenced and boy has it been hot and a bit difficult running cables in tight, safe places. My mate and I have actually got further than we planned in this the first day so we are both very pleased with ourselves.
New 6 B&S cable has been run from battery of the Prado Through Isolator then to the back and Anderson plug fitted, tested and works. Other cabling had to be removed at the same time. So the Prado is finished.
The Avan has had 6 B&S cable run alongside the 12 pin plug cable, through to inside then to rear of the Avan next to the battery in readiness for connection to the Ctek Smart charger, the Anderson plug is fitted to the cable next to the 7 pin plug, so that's done. We still need to run 6 B&S cable from Ctek Charger to outside rear of the Avan and connected to Anderson plug, more cable run from Battery to fridge, connect 4 Mts of 6 B&S cable to 120W Solar Panel with Anderson plug the other end, that will then connect to back of Avan when needed. The last job will be to wire in a double 12V plug to front inside of Avan for use of 12V appliances.
Tomorrow is another day that is predicted cooler thank goodness and will hopefully see that what has turned out a rather large job completed so I will give the final installment of the re-wire job when Finshed.
Few, at the end of today both my mate and I are buggered, mainly due to the heat I think.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 7th of January 2013 08:49:29 PM
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
It appears you're doing a thorough job there Doug, using 6 B&S. I assume the Ctek you're talking about is the 12v-12v job. Taking the steps you're doing to minimise the voltage drop should ensure stable operation of the Ctek.
I'm doing quite a bit of upgrading of the wiring of my Goldstream and if your rig is anything like mine, the bean-counters at the manufacturers are more concerned about dollars than ohms when it comes to wire sizes.
G'day Doug and thanks for the update re the Avan. Sounds like you have been putting in the hard yards along with the 6B&S. I like your idea of the double 12v power point. Mine goes in Friday for something similar but with a 12v externally for shower.
I reckon you will have no worries with your charging of battery what with CTek and solar..........sounds great.
JimRicho, you make a very valid point regarding manufacturers and the standard of wiring!
I think you should have a rest tomorrow Doug if it's going to be hot. Our temps show it will be 21degrees cooler the following day. Sounds like you are doing a great job. There'll be no catching you if it all works.
Qwik comment re overkill & manufacturer's wiring - I ran a second wire in paralle to my fridge (rather than replace it with a heavier wire) and the current draw dropped from 4A to slightly over 3A. I also have a fuse panel for each 12V circuit as well as a master circuit breaker; the circuit breaker will only cut out if there is a direct short but also can be manually switched off which is very handy.
-- Edited by Loki on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 08:25:27 AM
JR...Yes you are correct, Double 12V-12V Cteck Smart Charger.
ozi...I have a Outside 12V socket in my box of tricks so might fit that somewhere at the back of the Avan where I would set up the outside shower tent, plan with the tent was to use the 1900 Jump Starter for the shower. Could be handy at some stage to have external 12V socket anyway.
N&R...It's not going to be as hot today so will not go on strike. I need to get this job done and dusted while both my mate and I are in the work mood.
Note...The fridge and 12V sockets will be fused independently and if I do that extra external 12V socket will probably be wired and fused from the battery separately. Everything might sound a bit of over kill but hey at least it will work the way I want. I am prepared to do the hard yards now so that when back in the playground those happy hours will be enjoyed more and guilt free, mmm I don't remember any guilt when I was enjoying any happy hour before.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
If you ever feel guilty about having a happy hour, mate you do have a problem! LOL
Make sure you keep the beer cold! The true sign of an drinking problem is when you allow work to interfere with your drinking!
Jim
PS: You're right about a bit of overkill, you won't regret having a good robust installation. That heavy gauge wiring will allow the Ctek to do all its smarts as intended.
Sure thing, Cruising Cruze - the red lever with "70A" printed on it is the switch in the OFF position. The red button below it turns it OFF when pushed, quick and simple. I got it from J'car. I have it connected between the 'Bat' connector on the regulator and the the + terminal on the battery.
Hope it comes thru OK, first time I tried something happened.
Sounds like you are doing the job the correct way there Doug, an individual circuit & fuse for each system that way if you have a problem its much easier to find the fault as there is only one item that can cause it.
Multiple units powered from a single supply can be tricky in locating a problem.
JC.
__________________
Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
