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brandss · 08-25-2021, 12:30 PM

I am thinking about installing a Thetford Sanicon Turbo sewer system and the instructions say to run the power to the battery with a 35 amp in line fuse. What I was wondering is if I could simply run the power with inline fuse to the power supply already in the wet bay for the water pump. I am not an electrician so thought I would ask those smarter than me.

Podivin · 08-25-2021, 12:39 PM

I wouldn't expect the fuse for the water pump to be 35 amps, it's probably less than that. Nor would I expect the wire to the pump to be heavy enough to carry 35 amps.
Also, if you were to ever run both at the same time you'd run the risk of blowing the fuse, or overheating that wire.
Overall it'll be better to run a new power line to the Sanicon.

Old-Biscuit · 08-25-2021, 12:40 PM

No.....
Water pump circuit is probably fed by a 15A fuse and wiring will be smaller gauge---12ga

35A needs 8ga wire directly from battery pos ...in line fuse or even a 35A DC Circuit Breaker should be close to battery connection

brandss · 08-25-2021, 01:44 PM

Thanks, appreciate both of the comments. With that said I assume I can run to either the chassis batteries or the house batteries. Anything wrong with that thought process?

Podivin · 08-25-2021, 01:49 PM

Direct to either house or chassis batteries is fine.
If it will make a shorter (or much easier) wiring run you can also connect to the generator where the main battery lead comes in to it (it'll have a heavy wire/cable on it just like the main cables coming off your battery).

K7JV · 08-26-2021, 07:32 AM

Just did somewhat what you are talking about for our Esteem. I ran #10 from the 12 volt fuse panel to the "wet bay" (such as it is) and terminated it with a panel mount PowerPole receptacle. I put a PowerPole terminal pair on the portable SaniCon cable, and it should be good to go.

Yes, the SaniCon specifies a 35 amp circuit. And yes, #8 wire is appropriate for permanent installations, in raceways. In my case, the entire run is "in air", and add to that the fact that 35 amps is not even close to the running current of the SaniCon. It is more like 20 to 25 amps, as verified with a clamp-on ammeter, running un-loaded.

I actually gave myself two options. I ran the internal run of only about 10 feet to the PowerPole receptacle, but I also prepared a 25' cable with a PowerPole connector pair on one end and large alligator clips to connect to either the engine or the coach battery terminals.

My "built in" installation has been verified and works well (though I've not yet "pumped poo"). My reason for the PowerPole receptacle is that I put the same connectors on my small air compressor so I can use it without having to access one of the two batteries. Makes for a nice, clean installation.