What wires

[Lester22]

Hi all, we are doing are first camper build and looking at people's ideas, we are ready to wire up but not sure what wires to use , likes of Watts strength of wire, volts etc. We are only going to be running solar x2 kettle lights water stuff like that , any help be handy... cheers

 

[KUSKUS]

12 volt Planet should give you some pointers.

 

[MisterB]

Check out YouTube BUT don't rely on just one YouTuber, it's always better to confirm one against the other. I would start with Greg Virgo ..

 

[Lester22]

Yer was going to use the 12v anyways but wanted to double check, leading to the fuse box and breakers and just doing the lot blows my mind , am rubbish at wires to start with ha, this should be fun

 

[RedFrame]

Yer was going to use the 12v anyways but wanted to double check, leading to the fuse box and breakers and just doing the lot blows my mind , am rubbish at wires to start with ha, this should be fun

If that's the case you should be very careful, it may be worth spending a few Bob and getting a professional (not a you tuber) to specify your wiring requirements...?

I don't want to put you off, but if you get it wrong then, at best, you'll have constant problems, at worst, you're van's going to burn...

Cheers
Red.

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[Spriddler]

You might get more help in this Fun forum:

Self-Build Motorhomes

DIYers talk about Self builds here.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Here's the 12v Planet site

Voltage Drop Calculator | 12 Volt Planet

Use our Voltage Drop Calculator to select the correct Cable for your campervan, motorhome or boat wiring application. Auto and Marine Electrical Components from 12 Volt Planet - Cable Size Calculator

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[Tombola]

this will help you lots

 

[Lester22]

Like you have wires 11a 21a 33a whats best to use

 

[Figaro]

Please take professional advice on your electrics, if your not certain what you're doing it can go horribly wrong.

 

[Lester22]

I mite do , also as winter hits in and the roof starts sweating how can I prevent this, will the sound deading stop it or the insulation

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[RedFrame]

I mite do , also as winter hits in and the roof starts sweating how can I prevent this, will the sound deading stop it or the insulation

You should start a new thread in the "self build motorhome" section of the forum for this question, otherwise you are going to get very confusing answers all in the same thread

I am happy to continue advising you, but am starting to think that you may well be a troll... No offence intended..

Cheers
Red.

 

[Spriddler]

Like you have wires 11a 21a 33a whats best to use

The current-carrying capacity of the wire has to match or exceed the current (Amps) drawn by the items it's connecting. Fuses must be similarly matched. Fuses are there to protect the wiring from overheating/melting/burning........and causing a fire.

 

[Lester22]

You should start a new thread in the "self build motorhome" section of the forum for this question, otherwise you are going to get very confusing answers all in the same thread

I am happy to continue advising you, but am starting to think that you may well be a troll... No offence intended..

Cheers
Red.

No troll here , am just trying to find and learn as j go, I have a vauxhall movano 2.3 13 plate, looking sorry for its self

 

[Lenny HB]

I've put a link to a cable size calculator below, you need to aim for a volt drop of 3% or less the lower the better.
I suggest you use standard auto cable the thin wall stuff is stiff and harder to strip. Also be aware thin wall cable size is often quoted including the insulation so you need to go up one or two sizes.

Cable Size Calculator - Cable sizing and selection | 12 Volt Planet

Cable Size Calculator - Read our guide to selecting cable of the correct type and size for your automotive, marine or leisure wiring application. Auto and Marine Electrical Components from 12 Volt Planet

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[mitzimad]

forget about running a kettle on basic electric set up it draws far to much power

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[jwells]

These links maybe of some use, if you have not come across them!

Climbingvan | A Van Conversion Guide and Electrical System Design

Climbingvan is a self-build campervan resource. Read our van conversion guide and check out Nomadic Energy, our electrical design service.

www.climbingvan.co.uk

Nomadic Energy | Climbingvan

Nomadic Energy designs more campervan electrical systems than anyone else, each perfectly tailored to its users by our team of engineers.

www.nomadicenergy.co.uk

They also do a very useful ebook, "The Van Conversion" !

 

[autorouter]

There are at least two factors to consider when sizing wires. The wire should be thick enough so that it won't overheat and cause problems like melted insulation or even a fire. Also it should be thick enough so that the voltage at the other end of the wire doesn't drop so much that the device doesn't work properly. If you size the wire so that the voltage drop is less than 3%, then you will find that it is well thick enough to avoid any overheating problem.

That's the reason nobody stresses the overheating problem, and we concentrate on the voltage drop problem. The voltage drop depends on wire cross-sectional area (CSA) in square millimetres. Also the current (amps), and the wire length. The percentage drop also depends on what the voltage is to start with. 12V wiring is much more susceptible to voltage drop problems than 240V wiring.

The cable size calculator in Lenny HB's post will give you the answers if you ask the right questions.

As an example, for a circuit of length 2 metres carrying 30A, a 6 square millimetres wire has a voltage drop of 3.14%, for a 10mm2 wire it's 1.82%. So the preferred choice is 10mm2, because it's less than 3%.