I need caravan help! Electrical

clivvy · 16-05-2010, 08:40

Hi all, I've got a little Elddis Wisp which we are fixing/modernising. We need to run some electrical cable to the thetford, and hot taps. I was told any 2core 2.5mm...2.5mm?? Is that right?? Can any one advise the correct electrical wire? I've got some normal household 3 core knocking about, is that any good? I've also got some lighting 3 core...??
Hope you can help!

Terranoman · 16-05-2010, 08:47

What voltage are you putting through it? 12v or 240v?

MudLifeCrisis · 16-05-2010, 11:05

12v with 2amp fuses , 1mm should be ok.

solarman216 · 16-05-2010, 12:25

The problem with 12v over long runs is volt drop, I had a narrow boat and when calculating the cable needed to run air horns at the bow I measured the voltage with the air horns on and found that 12v at the battery gave 11.2v at the horns with 6mm cable, when running things like fridges that are sensitive to volt drop, I ran 16mm cable and the fridge was near the stern, so the answer is to measure the volt drop, there is a calculation but lot easier just to stick a meter on it, Rick

clivvy · 16-05-2010, 13:21

well, i am running 12 volt toilet, and taps. Distance from battery isnt very far at all, 3 meters ish...??

You mention fuses...where do i fit these? I read that the cable goes directly from feed to toilet/taps??

rayf3262 · 16-05-2010, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

well, i am running 12 volt toilet, and taps. Distance from battery isnt very far at all, 3 meters ish...??

You mention fuses...where do i fit these? I read that the cable goes directly from feed to toilet/taps??

Fuses are there to protect the wiring under fault conditions. So ideally they should be fitted close to the power source in the +VE lead.

lacroupade · 16-05-2010, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarman216

I had a narrow boat

I'm really starting to hate you Rick!!!

solarman216 · 16-05-2010, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacroupade

I'm really starting to hate you Rick!!!

This is our boat doing the Thames 2007

16-05-2010, 08:40	#1
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	I need caravan help! Electrical Hi all, I've got a little Elddis Wisp which we are fixing/modernising. We need to run some electrical cable to the thetford, and hot taps. I was told any 2core 2.5mm...2.5mm?? Is that right?? Can any one advise the correct electrical wire? I've got some normal household 3 core knocking about, is that any good? I've also got some lighting 3 core...?? Hope you can help!

16-05-2010, 08:47	#2
Terranoman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northamptonshire Vehicle: Terrano II Posts: 622	What voltage are you putting through it? 12v or 240v?

16-05-2010, 11:05	#3
MudLifeCrisis Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St Albans Herts Vehicle: 1997 Mav 2.7tdi lwb Posts: 1,377	12v with 2amp fuses , 1mm should be ok.

16-05-2010, 12:25	#4
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,432	The problem with 12v over long runs is volt drop, I had a narrow boat and when calculating the cable needed to run air horns at the bow I measured the voltage with the air horns on and found that 12v at the battery gave 11.2v at the horns with 6mm cable, when running things like fridges that are sensitive to volt drop, I ran 16mm cable and the fridge was near the stern, so the answer is to measure the volt drop, there is a calculation but lot easier just to stick a meter on it, Rick

16-05-2010, 13:21	#5
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	well, i am running 12 volt toilet, and taps. Distance from battery isnt very far at all, 3 meters ish...?? You mention fuses...where do i fit these? I read that the cable goes directly from feed to toilet/taps??