Installing a 12 volt plug

[Gl111349]

At the current time my Flagstaff 5th wheel does not have a 12 volt plug inside anywhere. This fall I will be camping in Smokey Mountain National Park using the battery and need to install a plug.
I plan to run the wires back to my shut off switch but my question is how heavy of wire should I use and do I need to put a fuse in the hot line. The adapter I will be plugging in that goes to my Cpap machine has a 7.5 amp fuse in it.

[bob caldwell]

I'd use 14 gauge....look at trucks, some are awful long and with the ones that look like a light show at night don't have problems.....I, personally, wouldn't add a fuse. Machine has one.

[Happy Vibe]

I would add a fuse, this is a moving vehicle and if the wire should wear through between the outlet and the battery you could get a short to ground. This could cause a fire. I would put in a 15 or 20 amp fuse.

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

I would add a fuse, this is a moving vehicle and if the wire should wear through between the outlet and the battery you could get a short to ground. This could cause a fire. I would put in a 15 or 20 amp fuse.

ditto
I added a 12V plug in for powering the cell phones when at flea markets (I'm a vendor who sells flags, ball caps etc for extra income)

put the inline 15 amp fuse in as an added form of protection taking seconds to do and saves a lifetime of regrets.

[limblips]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

ditto
I added a 12V plug in for powering the cell phones when at flea markets (I'm a vendor who sells flags, ball caps etc for extra income)

put the inline 15 amp fuse in as an added form of protection taking seconds to do and saves a lifetime of regrets.

Double ditto. All power sources should be protected. The fuse in the device will protect the device but not the power source! And the protective device (fuse, CB, or other) should be as close to the power source as possible. If the wire were to short to ground before the fuse the fuse will not blow but you still have a high current direct short to ground!

[bubbles]

Remember, fuses and circuit breakers are to protect wiring. Fuses within a unit is to protect the wiring (circuit) inside the unit. A fuse at the source is certainly called for in your application. JMO

[bob caldwell]

Being how it's for your machine, at least use a fuse-stat ( auto- reset)

[Gl111349]

Thanks to all for the great advise. In line fuse is installed, wires are run from battery shutoff and ground and it works. The forum comes through again.

[NorSnrub]

I just taped into light with scotch locks.

[Radio]

I installed a 12 volt plug in the bedroom of our Rockwood 8280SS. I ran the wiring from the lighting in the cargo hold. It was close, accessible, easy, cheap, so on.

It's under the TV shelf in the side of the wardrobe. I intended it for low wattage loads like the weather radio and a 12 volt TV.

Works well.

[Wayne Joan]

Originally Posted by Gl111349

At the current time my Flagstaff 5th wheel does not have a 12 volt plug inside anywhere. This fall I will be camping in Smokey Mountain National Park using the battery and need to install a plug.
I plan to run the wires back to my shut off switch but my question is how heavy of wire should I use and do I need to put a fuse in the hot line. The adapter I will be plugging in that goes to my Cpap machine has a 7.5 amp fuse in it.

There is a 12 volt plug in the bedroom of our Flagstaff.

[NorSnrub]

The wire i taped into was fused from the camper and didn't need a double fuse.