Member Since: 29 Nov 2021
Location: SW London
Posts: 261
Battery cable gauge
Sorry if this is posted somewhere, I just couldn't find it.
What gauge should the positive cable be from a front mounted leisure battery to the rear tailgate? About 6m length.
Just for a 12v compressor fridge, 12v lights, USB etc.
Thanks
PeteEverything's a hammer.
10th Jul 2022 11:43 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
As big as you can, to have the least losses. I'd have thought a 4mm² would do it.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
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10th Jul 2022 12:14 pm
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 305
depends on what you're prepared to accept as a transmission loss whihc is in turn dependent on how much current you intend to pull.
12v planet has a cable calculator in their knowledge base probably at least 6m of cable by the time you've done the wiggles round for routing etc maybe 7m
to get better than a 3% drop at 14v you'd be looking at 8.5mm
https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/cable-sizing-selection.html05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
10th Jul 2022 3:48 pm
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Member Since: 29 Nov 2021
Location: SW London
Posts: 261
Richard, Duc750 - thanks both.
I feared the technical explanation way over my head, but you're clear that size matters.
10mm² is way overkill for a fridge and some lights, but it wont fail!
and could potentially allow a battery in the boot too ?
11th Jul 2022 7:13 am
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Member Since: 29 Nov 2021
Location: SW London
Posts: 261
Thanks, plan is for the second battery up front, I just wasn't sure if I then needed a battery type cable to the rear.
Seems not.
Thanks
PeteEverything's a hammer.
11th Jul 2022 9:41 am
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 305
There's nothing special about "battery cable" really it's just how the vendors classify it most of the time. In reality it's larger cross sectional cable with good copper content and decent insulation.05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
11th Jul 2022 10:10 am
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Member Since: 29 Nov 2021
Location: SW London
Posts: 261
Thanks, on that basis I'm going for some thickish bendy stuff in red.
Just need to figure how best to get from front to back.
PeteEverything's a hammer.
11th Jul 2022 10:17 am
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 305
That's actually the easy bit. You have the channels for the existing wiring on the floor running from the a post to the c post.
The bendyness is generally proportional to the quality of the insulation and the copper inside it.05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
11th Jul 2022 10:47 am
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Member Since: 29 Nov 2021
Location: SW London
Posts: 261
Thanks, hope so.
I'll take a look at how to remove the carpets/trims.
PeteEverything's a hammer.
11th Jul 2022 11:11 am
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 305
No carpet needs to go to get through to the c post. Run the cable through the clutch cabl gromit and then down the inside of the a post into the cable channel. Lift up all the plastic trim remembering catch the 11 million metal clips that have just sprung out with a range equivalent to an intercontinental ballistic missile. Drop the cable in and secure it. Routing to the back bins requires some trim removal in the rear quarter05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
11th Jul 2022 11:20 am
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Member Since: 29 Nov 2021
Location: SW London
Posts: 261
I've just had the back bumper and arches off to fit a wheel carrier. Know what you mean about the clips
Maybe underneath along the chassis?
PeteEverything's a hammer.
11th Jul 2022 11:45 am
jenseneverest
Member Since: 12 Jun 2017
Location: somewhere
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