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reilersjr · 10-09-2012, 06:10 PM

Hey all,

I took the plunge and purchased a Magnum Energy ms-2012. I have a Winnebago Journey 36L which, the batteries are located on a slide out tray.

Has anyone wired this configuration before?

What I'm planning on doing(as I don't have much choice) is to use 5' 4/0 wire from the battery to inside the RV under the bed. Shunt on negative, fuse on positive, then 12" 4/0 wire to the Magnum. I know this is "backwards" from what I've read(you want the fuse as close to the batteries as possible) but I don't see I have much of a choice with the slide out tray.

Will I be OK doing it this way? The other option would be to mount the shunt and fuse outside, exposed to the elements. Plus, I'd have to build some sort of contraption to hold it to the tray that would move in/out with it.

Any and all ideas are welcome!

Thanks,
Rick

mgscott4 · 10-09-2012, 08:56 PM

You should be fine. The fuse is a 250 or 300 amp fuse used as a catastrophic failure device. It will still blow if it is 5 feet away from the batteries.

However, the 5 feet of wire is not protected. If this section of wire shorts, it will continue to be a short after the fuse blows. Use wire loom and secure it well for extra protection on this section of wire.

Edit: After re-reading your post
Thinking about it, if this section runs under your bed and shorts it could be a big problem (fire). Forget what I said above. Put the fuse on or near the battery tray to protect the entire circuit.

bluepill · 10-09-2012, 09:40 PM

If by "Under the bed" you mean the area that is actually in the bedroom, in an unvented space, enclosed by wood and topped by a mattress, it would be the very last place that I would consider installing an inverter/charger that gets quite hot and requires good venting and is a potential fire hazard.

Just sayin'

My rig has the factory inverter/charger in the electrical bay with the genny transfer switch and power cord storage. Reasonably vented and all metal. What sort of set-up is yours?

Ed-Sommers · 10-10-2012, 08:48 AM

If you are like me, and a large portion of RVing people, and turn off the inverter at night, the noise, and heat problem would be nill.

The shorting out possibility (I wouldn't call it a problem) would still exist so an extra measure of safe installation is necessary, but it sounds as if you have already taken that into consideration.

Ed
Who usually says "Just Do It".