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04-06-2017, 08:55 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Wire size for battery switch
Hello, i want to add a battery cut off switch to my camper. I need a wire that will go from the battery to the switch. What gauge should it be? Thanks for the help.
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04-06-2017, 09:01 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Englewood FL
Posts: 2,797
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mammoth
Hello, i want to add a battery cut off switch to my camper. I need a wire that will go from the battery to the switch. What gauge should it be? Thanks for the help.
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The same size as the wire that today goes from the camper to the battery (the one you are taking off!) I don't mean this to be cute, we don't know what you have (number of batteries, ect) but the best guide is to simply get some more of what is there.
__________________
2015 335DS
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04-06-2017, 09:01 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mammoth
Hello, i want to add a battery cut off switch to my camper. I need a wire that will go from the battery to the switch. What gauge should it be? Thanks for the help.
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at least 6 gauge , also depends on how far of a run , what's in use now for the battery supply ? keep it the same
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04-06-2017, 09:09 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Englewood FL
Posts: 2,797
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You can find pre-made ones of a variety of lengths at an auto parts store, usually #6. Or, you can just get a battery disconnect switch that mounts on the battery itself and you won't need any additional cables.
Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Battery-.../dp/B001N729FS
__________________
2015 335DS
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04-06-2017, 09:13 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein
The same size as the wire that today goes from the camper to the battery (the one you are taking off!) I don't mean this to be cute, we don't know what you have (number of batteries, ect) but the best guide is to simply get some more of what is there.
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Sorry. Its just 1 regular size 24 battery. I want to mount the switch on the outside of the battery box so i dont need much length. And im not sure what gauge is on there now.
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04-06-2017, 09:16 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein
The same size as the wire that today goes from the camper to the battery (the one you are taking off!) I don't mean this to be cute, we don't know what you have (number of batteries, ect) but the best guide is to simply get some more of what is there.
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This is whats there not. I dont know how to tell what size wire it is. 2 maybe? 
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04-06-2017, 09:20 AM
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#7
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mammoth
This is whats there not. I dont know how to tell what size wire it is. 2 maybe? Attachment 133973 |
If you are simply going to mount the switch on the front of the box, it looks like there 'might' be enough to simply cut and add ends (that will fit your switch) to the existing wire.
May not need any!
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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04-06-2017, 09:21 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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it's 6 gauge .
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04-06-2017, 09:22 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker
If you are simply going to mount the switch on the front of the box, it looks like there 'might' be enough to simply cut and add ends (that will fit your switch) to the existing wire.
May not need any!
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I thought of that but there's not much slack in the cable there. It would make things a little tight i think. I would like to mount the switch on the top and i dont think theres enough wire for that.
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04-06-2017, 09:23 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by northstar1960
it's 6 gauge .
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Ok thanks! That helps.
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04-06-2017, 09:35 AM
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#11
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,143
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I'm pretty sure I seen some short 6 Ga. battery cables at Auto Zone the other day when I was in there snooping around. Only a couple bucks.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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04-06-2017, 09:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker
I'm pretty sure I seen some short 6 Ga. battery cables at Auto Zone the other day when I was in there snooping around. Only a couple bucks.
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Ok thanks ill take a look. Did it have the circle crimps on it already? My wire connects to the bolt next to the post so id need the bridge wire to have 2 circular connectors. Ill check amazon too. But thanks for the heads up.
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04-06-2017, 09:43 AM
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#13
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mammoth
Ok thanks ill take a look. Did it have the circle crimps on it already? My wire connects to the bolt next to the post so id need the bridge wire to have 2 circular connectors. Ill check amazon too. But thanks for the heads up.
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It did.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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04-06-2017, 10:44 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,502
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Consider installing an inline ANL blade fuse to protect against shorts.
https://www.amazon.com/Link-ANLFH01-.../dp/B0002NRIKA
I have 300 amp ANL fuse going from each battery bank to the switch. This can protect against a catastrophic failure and prevent electrical fire. ANL fuse saved my bacon when a factory installed crimp on a general power distribution block came undone and the wire shorted against the frame.
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04-06-2017, 01:05 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dexter, MI
Posts: 410
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mammoth
I would like to mount the switch on the top and i dont think theres enough wire for that.
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I'd recommend against installing it on the battery box top, unless you are planning on using an extra long cable and just tucking the extra length inside the box. Otherwise, it may get in the way whenever you want to take the lid off of the battery box. I'd mount it on the side of the box (if there's clearance), or on the trailer frame itself.
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Eric & Abby
2016 Rockwood Roo 183
2014 Ford Explorer Sport
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04-06-2017, 01:07 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ebcobra93
I'd recommend against installing it on the battery box top, unless you are planning on using an extra long cable and just tucking the extra length inside the box. Otherwise, it may get in the way whenever you want to take the lid off of the battery box. I'd mount it on the side of the box (if there's clearance), or on the trailer frame itself.
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I looked there. Unfortunately the battery is very close to the sides and theres not much of a gap. Once i get all the parts and get into it i will have to see what my options are. It might have to go on the trailer or frame.
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04-06-2017, 01:22 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein
The same size as the wire that today goes from the camper to the battery (the one you are taking off!) I don't mean this to be cute, we don't know what you have (number of batteries, ect) but the best guide is to simply get some more of what is there.
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Ditto. Or step up one size or two. Auto parts stores usually have a selection of battery cables with gromet ends and wire gauges from 6ga up to 2 ga. I would use as short a wire and as large a ga as you can work with.
Best price on a cut off switch will likely be Harbor Freight or eBay/Amazon.
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04-06-2017, 02:24 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Mt Pleasant SC
Posts: 209
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google battery post disconnect and will find knife switch that attached to the battery post and then you just reconnect the wire to the switch.
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04-06-2017, 02:26 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by palmetto rogue
google battery post disconnect and will find knife switch that attached to the battery post and then you just reconnect the wire to the switch.
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I bought that one first. Was too big and couldnt fit in the box. That why i have to make the change to external switch.
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04-06-2017, 02:58 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 97
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That actually looks like 8 gauge to me but it is hard to tell. I know you said you wanted to mount it to the outside of the battery box but here is an alternative that is VERY easy to install. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just take the battery box lid off and unscrew it to disconnect the battery. 
Marc
__________________
2017 Wolf Pup 17RP.
2014 F150 1/2 ton Larait.
Lots of motorcycles.
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