Additional fuse box - question???

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Nov 8, 2011

Hi thinking about putting an additional fuse box in the rear of my disco so i can use it for 2 spare 12v sockets, 2 55w work lights, 240v inverter.

Won't be using em all at the same time so was wondering what size wire i need to run from the battery to the boot??? Would be putting a fuse in the cable near the battery to be safe.

Cheers for any sensible info

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 8, 2011

160 A welding cable

Pikey · Nov 8, 2011

Watts divided by Volts = Amps the sums are simple enough Work out Amperage add 10% for safety margin and size cable accordingly.

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Nov 8, 2011

Have been thinking about using 8 gauge wire.
Just found the calculator on here and using 40A at a length of 10ft = 8 gauge.
Probably will get either a 6 way or 12 way distribution box with busbar.

Thanks for any sensible help guys as i haven't tried this before

Mr Noisy · Nov 8, 2011

AWG8 sounds good mate

AndyPoole · Nov 9, 2011

Also remeber that you get a voltage drop down the cable which can be calculated by knowing the resistivity per meter length of wire or by using

Voltage Drop Calculator - for single and 3 phase ac systems and dc systems

I would basically go for the biggest wire that you can afford / route down the vehicle a as a sfety factror and b to overcome voltage drop esp if you want to run an inverter.

When i ran the cables for the 12N caravan plug which should be 15A I ran two 50A cables (I had the cable laying around so did not cost anything) to overcome any voltage drop.

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Nov 9, 2011

Mr Noisy said:
AWG8 sounds good mate

Yep thought so as i won't be using all of the stuff at the same time

Just trying to figure out the route from the battery to the boot area??
Will be needing 2 sockets so i can plug my shooting lamps in.

Think i might need a second battery with a split charge too as i don't fancy being stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat battery

Thanks for the info - keep it coming lads!!!

Suffolkandgood · Nov 9, 2011

Glad someone asked this as its something I shall be doing at some point, I will be running some BIG powercable from the bay to the boot to run my amp so will wire in my distribution block to enable me to have a worklight and cig sockets fitted to the rear. Is there a half decent route to run cable front to back?

Mr Noisy · Nov 9, 2011

Yo guys

If you use your disco offroad/for work/without any carpets then I would definitely recommend through the bulkhead via a grommet, up the A pillar and along the gutter line and then down the D pillar, you don't really want large power cables on the floor in a working vehicle.

AWG4 would be plenty for a large amplifier, plenty of light and a few 10A charging sockets.

I have done a few 3kw audio installs and plenty of car wiring and I have come to the conclusion that there is a lot of bull**** around, seeing as my small 2x70w amp runs happily off the built in permanent live for the caravan socket (i didn't want to run another wire) and my 10000lb winch is fitted with an inline 150amp fuse.

Seeing as all winches are 'apparently' drawing into 400amps at heavy use, I beg to differ.

Cheers

Additional fuse box - question???

DEFENDER90-DAZ

New Member

The Mad Hat Man

Well-Known Member

Pikey

Dummy Ejection Facilitator..

DEFENDER90-DAZ

New Member

Mr Noisy

Coming in your ears.

AndyPoole

Active Member

DEFENDER90-DAZ

New Member

Suffolkandgood

New Member

Mr Noisy

Coming in your ears.

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