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Old 08-31-2014, 07:56 PM   #1
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wiring my box truck

Hello there!
For some reason the search bar isn't working for me in the forums, so I'm about to ask questions that I know there are millions of answers to on the site... sorry! I'm having trouble navigating the forum.

I have four t-105s (trojan deep-cycle golf cart batteries). I'm about to begin wiring my dc system, which I feel fairly competent about doing. However I'm stuck on the first step- I don't know what gauge wires to use!

I'm running LED lights, a flojet water pump, a dc outlet to charge my phone, and a small fan that vents the battery box. I have an iota dls-55 converter/charger and a very simple fuse box.

I won't have a refrigerator or microwave or air conditioner... nothing will be running all the time.

Anyways, thanks for your time! The link for photos is below!

http:/boxtruckdreams.wordpress.com

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Old 09-02-2014, 02:57 PM   #2
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Re: wiring my box truck

I got 12 gauge stranded high heat wire. Should be alright...
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Old 09-03-2014, 08:50 AM   #3
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Re: wiring my box truck

This is a great online calculator to determine cable size: http://www.solar-wind.co.uk/cable-sizing-DC-cables.html
I use it all the time. Input the highest amperage (combining possible loads) per wire run and the length of the run and click calculate. You'll want to stay within 1-3% acceptable loss.
My guess is that your pump will be rated at around 5 amps and the phone charger around 1 amp. You'll have to figure out the LED draw and add them together.

Using this tool I was able to calculate all of my runs for an acceptable loss of 1%. This required using 8awg wire.
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Old 09-03-2014, 11:33 AM   #4
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Re: wiring my box truck

if you use google you can: skoolie.net + wire , or skoolie.net + wiring

that's how I search web sites...probably a newer way to do it

the leds and fan (assume 12v computer fan), and a charger port wont pull crap for amps (maybe 2 or 3 total) you can use really small wire here

the sureflow will be your biggest draw (5-10 amps guess)

the Iota 55 amp convertor will give you 55 amps of usable 12v when plugged into 120V

why so many batteries, for those loads?

a big invertor for 120v?
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Old 09-04-2014, 08:23 AM   #5
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Re: wiring my box truck

Are you talking about hooking up the batteries together and with a charger or are you talking about hooking up just lights and other stuff that uses the power.
If possible be sure to use a bus bar for the the batteries, it will help them get equal charge and it is a convenient way to hook up the chargers/inverters/fuse boxes.
When hooking up the batteries I would say find the correct size for a 1% loss then go one bigger if possible.
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