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Stupid electrical question
05-25-2011, 12:26 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Erial, NJ
Posts: 35
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I purchased an analog voltage gauge for my coach battery. The aftermarket kind that hot-rodders use. The directions say to use 18 gauge wire and to run the hot wire to a fuse that will receive power when the ignition key is on. Now, two questions:
1. Can I substitute 12 gauge household wire, since it's a little stiffer and easier to fish, and since I have a plethora of it? I'm thinking it should be ok since it's heavier and should handle the current.
2. Can I run the wires right to he battery so I will have a constant readout?
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05-25-2011, 12:34 PM
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#2
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Community Administrator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,593
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooper
I purchased an analog voltage gauge for my coach battery. The aftermarket kind that hot-rodders use. The directions say to use 18 gauge wire and to run the hot wire to a fuse that will receive power when the ignition key is on. Now, two questions:
1. Can I substitute 12 gauge household wire, since it's a little stiffer and easier to fish, and since I have a plethora of it? I'm thinking it should be ok since it's heavier and should handle the current.
2. Can I run the wires right to he battery so I will have a constant readout?
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Copper stranded wire is the only acceptable wire for use in recreational vehicles. Stranded wire is much less susceptible to breaking due to vibration than solid wire. #12 copper stranded wire is acceptable for what you want to do but is overkill. Wiring to the battery is acceptable but don't forget the fuse.
__________________
2007 Newmar DSDP 4023
Discovery is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
If you want to see what man made go East; if you want to see what God made go West.
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05-25-2011, 12:39 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Erial, NJ
Posts: 35
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Thanks RJ, I got an inline fuse, so I'm good too go there. Looks like I'll have to pick up some CSW since all I have is the solid stuff...
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05-25-2011, 12:39 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 63
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Yes & Yes!
Heavier gauge wire is always better, just cost more. Running the wires directly to the battery is fine, it's just a drain will always be happening, very small but non the less, will always be. Personally it is probably so small of a load that it would never bother most people, but if it did then put a switch in line so it could be shut off if needed during storage....
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05-25-2011, 12:46 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RJay
Copper stranded wire is the only acceptable wire for use in recreational vehicles. Stranded wire is much less susceptible to breaking due to vibration than solid wire. #12 copper stranded wire is acceptable for what you want to do but is overkill. Wiring to the battery is acceptable but don't forget the fuse.
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Huum....maybe true but I sure see LOTS of RV'S with solid wire, and can’t remember ever having to replace a solid wire that broke somewhere in the run - -oh and I work on RV electrical every day at work and it seem's to follow me to sleep...
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05-25-2011, 12:50 PM
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#6
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Community Administrator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,593
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Jim,
I should have qualified my remarks to the 12 volt system. Obviously the AC system has romex but the OP was referring to the 12 volt system.
__________________
2007 Newmar DSDP 4023
Discovery is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
If you want to see what man made go East; if you want to see what God made go West.
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05-25-2011, 12:51 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Erial, NJ
Posts: 35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by InfinityJim
put a switch in line so it could be shut off if needed during storage....
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I like that idea...
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05-25-2011, 01:03 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 1,422
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Why don't you just wire it to a cigar lighter plug and just plug it in? That would be easier and you can pop it out when not using it. Just a suggestion.
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05-25-2011, 01:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 1,422
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Also you can get one of those fuse jumpers and tie it into like a radio fuse and the other side to a ground and it will only be on when the key is on.
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05-25-2011, 01:41 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Erial, NJ
Posts: 35
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I like the switch idea the best
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05-25-2011, 02:53 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 593
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RJay
Copper stranded wire is the only acceptable wire for use in recreational vehicles. Stranded wire is much less susceptible to breaking due to vibration than solid wire. #12 copper stranded wire is acceptable for what you want to do but is overkill. Wiring to the battery is acceptable but don't forget the fuse.
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X2 on that.
And do NOT forget the fuse.
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94 F-700/24 foot U-haul box home built
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05-25-2011, 03:26 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mcdonough, Ga.
Posts: 1,393
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I installed several of these for my custmers. The easiest and fastest way, Is to run a small wire to the fuse block. Turn the key on and off until you find one of the Connectors on the fuse block that goes off with the switch. Install the hot wire here. Run the ground to the closest ground path. Now your guage will turn on and off with the switch.
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06-01-2011, 09:31 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: The Dungeon in Broomfield, CO
Posts: 164
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Are you serious? A volt meter? How much current could it possibly use?
22-24ga wire would be more than sufficient. Install it with a momentary switch, and press it when you want to see the voltage.
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Damn, I'm Good! 
"I've got dozzens of friends, and the fun never ends, that is, as long as I'm buying."
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06-02-2011, 05:52 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Erial, NJ
Posts: 35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HotMech
Are you serious? A volt meter? How much current could it possibly use?
22-24ga wire would be more than sufficient. Install it with a momentary switch, and press it when you want to see the voltage.
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Did you read my entire question? I realize it uses little current. That's not why I'm using the wire I asked about.
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