Triple battery setup run down.

[mudski]

Do I need to run an inline fuse?

[megatexture]

Probably should though I haven't as of yet but I do have a mega fuse waiting for when I get time. Mines twincore insulated and in split tube in the chassis rail till the rear wheel so I didn't bother but I will be.

I have a thermal circuit breaker on the camper in the tool box.

[Matt195583]

I read through a few pages of this and thought I might be able to offer some advice.

If you hook 2 or 3 battery banks up via a VSR you will greatly decrease the life of your batteries as when hooked up the battery in the worst condition will cause the alternator to over charge and kill the better batteries. You really need a Dc to Dc charger to manage the charging. I've had this happen on my boat which has one start battery and two house batteries together, one of the house batteries was replaced just be fore I bought it and within a year that new battery was shagged due to over charging.

[mudski]

Yes I know I need a dc to dc charger but I wanted to know if I could hook it up direct for now. Then I'll fit the charger later.
cheers.

[Yendor]

Yes you can. Just remember it won't fully charge the battery in the camper.

I would make sure the camper battery is fully charged before you leave and put it back on charge again as soon as you get home.

For safety, fuses or circuit breakers should be used. The fuse is there to protect the wire, so use fuses suitable for the rating of the cable.

[mudski]

Thanks bud. This is just so i can get it working, not as it should but working in the meantime. I have a 30amp ciruit breaker sitting here. Would that be efficient for 5mtrs of 8b&s cable?

[Yendor]

That should be fine. If you had to go out and buy one I would say make it a 40amp.....the 30 amp should do the job.

Should also be fused at both ends.

[mudski]

Thanks. Should I run one of those massive inline fuses that people use on their car amps. The clear jobbies with the gold plated fuse. The only reason I'm asking is because of the cable I'm running. 8b&s. I might see whats available at Jaycar too. I need something that can accommodate the larger cable.

[Winnie]

I used a 40A maxi fuse for 8mm cable.

[Yendor]

Thanks. Should I run one of those massive inline fuses that people use on their car amps. The clear jobbies with the gold plated fuse. The only reason I'm asking is because of the cable I'm running. 8b&s. I might see whats available at Jaycar too. I need something that can accommodate the larger cable.

That's up to you if you want to spend the money. Either will work fine.

With 8B&S you should be using battery lugs.