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I'm going to install this here accessory panel in the bed of my truck, but I know jack diddly about electrical. What would be the best or easiest way to wire this? I have upfitter switches but this panel also has it's own on/off switch. So I'm not sure if wiring it to an upfitter switch is worth the effort since it's kind of redundant to have two on off options. But I'll do it if it's the best way!
I also have the button in the bed to turn on the lights back there.
I personally would use an upfitter switch, but that’s me. The spade on the bottom of the switch is your +12. The one in the middle of the ciggy lighter in yellow is your ground. I did a usb port in the bed for my wifi backup camera to see the Anderson ultimate hitch when hooking up to the fifth wheel.
It looks like that device won't pull more than 2 amps given the 2 amp fuse. That shouldn't require a large wire. My favorite wire gauge calculator (link below) shows that you should be able to use 14 gauge wire. (2 amps, 60' round trip at 12 volts) We want to see less than 3% voltage drop. 12 gauge is better.
There should be a fuse near the battery. That fuse that comes with the device may protect the device but you need a fuse that protects the wire. Upfitter or direct to the battery, either one works. The Upfitter solution can protect you from someone draining your battery by connecting to the device.
The panel has a 15A circuit breaker, not a switch. It's bad karma to use a breaker for a switch. I would therefore use an upfitter switch as a source. Wiring from those is easy. What's hard is cutting a hole for the thing and then keeping moisture out of the device once installed.
BTW the 2A fuse protects the USB charge ports only - the 15A breaker protects the 12v outlet.
It looks like that device won't pull more than 2 amps given the 2 amp fuse. That shouldn't require a large wire. My favorite wire gauge calculator (link below) shows that you should be able to use 14 gauge wire. (2 amps, 60' round trip at 12 volts) We want to see less than 3% voltage drop. 12 gauge is better.
There should be a fuse near the battery. That fuse that comes with the device may protect the device but you need a fuse that protects the wire. Upfitter or direct to the battery, either one works. The Upfitter solution can protect you from someone draining your battery by connecting to the device.
The panel has a 15A circuit breaker, not a switch. It's bad karma to use a breaker for a switch. I would therefore use an upfitter switch as a source. Wiring from those is easy. What's hard is cutting a hole for the thing and then keeping moisture out of the device once installed.
BTW the 2A fuse protects the USB charge ports only - the 15A breaker protects the 12v outlet.
Dang, this is why I ask smarter people about these things. I thought that was an on/off switch lol!
It looks like that device won't pull more than 2 amps given the 2 amp fuse. That shouldn't require a large wire. My favorite wire gauge calculator (link below) shows that you should be able to use 14 gauge wire. (2 amps, 60' round trip at 12 volts) We want to see less than 3% voltage drop. 12 gauge is better.
There should be a fuse near the battery. That fuse that comes with the device may protect the device but you need a fuse that protects the wire. Upfitter or direct to the battery, either one works. The Upfitter solution can protect you from someone draining your battery by connecting to the device.
Why did you use 60' round trip for the wire length? Wouldn't I only be going about 8' ish from the device to the battery, and then the 8' back to the panel?
How/where do you plan to mount that in the bed area? For it to be weather proof, it will need to be in an enclosure of some sort...which could make fuse access an issue.
Dang, this is why I ask smarter people about these things. I thought that was an on/off switch lol!
The manufacturer refers to it has a circuit breaker switch. It is intended to be used to switch off power to the outlets. I don't know why the other post referred to its use as "bad karma". A switch is designed to operate for many. many cycles, much more than a standard breaker. So, a breaker used routinely as a switch, may not last as long as a true switch. I don't know if the manufacturer has incorporated design features into their circuit breaker switch to make it more durable to repeated cycles.
There are circuit braker switches used in aircraft, so I hope the bad karma does not extend to them.
How/where do you plan to mount that in the bed area? For it to be weather proof, it will need to be in an enclosure of some sort...which could make fuse access an issue.
Well the panel itself is waterproof (marine grade), but I have a canopy to cover my bed anyway. I was going to put it near one of the tail lights.
The manufacturer refers to it has a circuit breaker switch. It is intended to be used to switch off power to the outlets. I don't know why the other post referred to its use as "bad karma". A switch is designed to operate for many. many cycles, much more than a standard breaker. So, a breaker used routinely as a switch, may not last as long as a true switch. I don't know if the manufacturer has incorporated design features into their circuit breaker switch to make it more durable to repeated cycles.
There are circuit braker switches used in aircraft, so I hope the bad karma does not extend to them.
I would hope not, because my aircraft has a ton of circuit breakers lol That's a lot of bad karma!
I don't know why the other post referred to its use as "bad karma". .
Well, that's because...
Originally Posted by shawnee1
A switch is designed to operate for many. many cycles, much more than a standard breaker. So, a breaker used routinely as a switch, may not last as long as a true switch. .
And then observed...
Originally Posted by shawnee1
There are circuit braker switches used in aircraft, so I hope the bad karma does not extend to them.
Actually it does. As an aircraft mechanic I learned there are things on aircraft that are designed to be turned off /on repeatedly and those things will get a switch in line with the breaker. Things like lights and coffee makers. The breaker (or fuse) is there to protect the wiring. Things not intended to be turned on/off a lot will only have a breaker. We sometimes had equipment replaced several times because it "keeps tripping breaker". Turns out the breaker was used as a switch and was worn out.
I think the OP would be best served by wiring into an upfitter. It easy and already protected by a fuse. Plus has the option to be turned off.
