battery to PD4045 wiring size

[m.colley]

the PD4045 is wired with a few exceptions, mainly the battery to the PD4045 connection and the battery disconnect. The run will be very short, less than 10ft round trip. The Blue Seas wiring chart says 10awg wire will handle the 30A load but I'm asking for advice from those here on the forum. Would you run 10AWG (preferred since I have it on hand) or step up to 8AWG.


Martin

[Shadow Catcher]

Mine is 6 ga but a long run. One thing to remember is that it is a two way street. as it is feeding ALL of your 12V stuff.

[Gettin Started]

the PD4045 is wired with a few exceptions, mainly the battery to the PD4045 connection and the battery disconnect. The run will be very short, less than 10ft round trip. The Blue Seas wiring chart says 10awg wire will handle the 30A load but I'm asking for advice from those here on the forum. Would you run 10AWG (preferred since I have it on hand) or step up to 8AWG.


Martin

If you believe the calculations in the app below (i have no reason not to), 10 feet and 30 amps seems to give you a 5% voltage drop. IMO battery power is too valuable to let 5% fall on the floor. Input 6ga in the calculator and it gives you a 2% drop.

If 10 feet round trip means 5 feet each for pos and neg cables, then 6 ga gives you 1% loss and 10 ga would be 2.5%. My 2 cents is use the bigger wire.

http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop- ... &x=65&y=14

[m.colley]

the PD4045 is wired with a few exceptions, mainly the battery to the PD4045 connection and the battery disconnect. The run will be very short, less than 10ft round trip. The Blue Seas wiring chart says 10awg wire will handle the 30A load but I'm asking for advice from those here on the forum. Would you run 10AWG (preferred since I have it on hand) or step up to 8AWG.


Martin

If you believe the calculations in the app below (i have no reason not to), 10 feet and 30 amps seems to give you a 5% voltage drop. IMO battery power is too valuable to let 5% fall on the floor. Input 6ga in the calculator and it gives you a 2% drop.

If 10 feet round trip means 5 feet each for pos and neg cables, then 6 ga gives you 1% loss and 10 ga would be 2.5%. My 2 cents is use the bigger wire.

http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop- ... &x=65&y=14

Yes by roundtrip it would be 5ft each. It really isn't even that far but I like round numbers. I'll suck it up and buy some larger wire, whats a few more dollars.

Thanks

Martin

[H.A.]

W.

[Gettin Started]

Whats your expected maximun continious load ?
10awg of course adequate for 30 amp. But will you be drawing 30 for any length of time ?

As you already have 10awg on hand and want higher ampacity or less voltagedrop, you can just run two (or more) 10awg conductors for each battery terminal.
This maybe 'unorthodox' as far as RVs. On a larger scale, its common practice in industry.

Good thought...alternative way to get higher gauge without purchasing new wire.

Per the calculator I included a few posts up, 2 10ga conductors in parallel, 5 feet each, at 30 amps brings voltage drop down to 1.25%. Closer to the benefit of 6ga without buying new wire.

[m.colley]

Whats your expected maximun continious load ?
10awg of course adequate for 30 amp. But will you be drawing 30 for any length of time ?

As you already have 10awg on hand and want higher ampacity or less voltagedrop, you can just run two (or more) 10awg conductors for each battery terminal.
This maybe 'unorthodox' as far as RVs. On a larger scale, its common practice in industry.

Good thought...alternative way to get higher gauge without purchasing new wire.

Per the calculator I included a few posts up, 2 10ga conductors in parallel, 5 feet each, at 30 amps brings voltage drop down to 1.25%. Closer to the benefit of 6ga without buying new wire.

Thats a good idea I hadn't even thought of. My biggest load for now will be the Shurflo water pump and the AM/FM CD player. All interior lights are LED and fan(s) will be modded computer fans. Eventually I may add a TV/DVD player. That will be the extent of my 12V loads. The water pump will only be used when dry camping and at the hunting land until I get the well up and running again. Thanks again for the suggestions.


Martin