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Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
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  #1  
Old 28 Oct 2007
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Auxiliary Power Distribution

Hi there,

I have installed an auxiliary battery in my defender. I have connected the fridge directly to it through a fuse but now want to take a second feed of the battery for lights, water pump, etc etc. What is the best way to do this? I guess that taking a feed off and then just splicing additional feeds into that is not the best way forward.

I am rubbish at electrics so aAppreciate your help!

Bruce:confused1:
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  #2  
Old 28 Oct 2007
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I don't know the best way to do it, but what I have is a nice thick cable from the battery to a '10 fuse box' from where various cables run over the landy to where they are required.

I think the shorter the thick cable is the better (ie: don't put the fuse box down the back of your vehicle on the sun porch)
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  #3  
Old 28 Oct 2007
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My auxilliary battery is in a box (fed with very oversized welding cable) in the box I have a feed for the fridge (with a ten amp circuit breaker) and then routed via another circuit breaker I have 12v sockets for lights, etc... I went for circuit breakers so that I can switch stuff off easily, and you don't need to change them if they trip. I also am no electrician, but what I do know is everything should be fused or have circuit breakers. Also watch out for high currents and too thin cables!
Gil
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Old 28 Oct 2007
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As the above post says Circuit breakers are a MUST, and I'd look at getting an electrical engineer to look at it once your done, explain to him/her what trip your going to be doing and they shouldn't take any money off you for a 10 minute inspection if they are nic people.

I'm Commenting as YOUR insurance company WILL disallow ANY claims if you don't tell them about your modifications in case of fire/theft and you will also need an engineers note of inspection.
I know this because my mate Paul burnt out his tricked out blinged up Clio when his Xbox Power supply caught fire (it was funny as hell), once the insurance accessor looked at it and found the changes to his wiring they didn't pay up.

It will only cost pennies on your insurance when you explain to them the required mods, so in this case be honest.
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  #5  
Old 28 Oct 2007
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Have a look here S.B.M.C.C. Forum check out all the old posts, or just ask a question


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  #6  
Old 28 Oct 2007
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Thanks Guys,

Appreciate the input. I will look into both the circuit breakers and the fuse box options. Any ideas on where I would be able to purchase one or the other in the UK?

Bruce
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