Seeking Safety Advice

MattL

Adventurer
I'm looking for some advice on how to safely set up my power system. I'm a complete beginner with wiring.

The picture below is what I have. Basically 85Ah AGM battery that will power a 60qt ARB fridge, an inverter, and solar controller where solar panels will feed into (mainly a camp situation not in transit).

Should I be wiring things through some sort of master fuse box or am I okay with the fuses built into the ARB fridge wiring and whatever may be used in the inverter (if there is one?).

Basically I don't want things to become a hazard on or off road but want to keep it as simple as possible.

EIrLJvW.jpg


Also, does anyone recommend any particular terminal connections for multiple wires?

Thank you!
 

comptiger5000

Adventurer
IMO, everything should be fused within a few inches of the battery. Inline fuses or a fuse block is fine, whichever is easier for you to package. For the inverter, it may not be practical to fuse it if the cable run is less than a foot. More than that and I'd want a fuse on it. A big ANL style inline fuse would do the trick.
 

SoCal Tom

Explorer
I used this fuse panel on mine
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QMTAZ1W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It has LEDs that light up if the fuse blows.
You should also have one big fuse ( or circuit breaker) between the battery and the fuse panel , as close the the battery as reasonably possible.

I also added one of these to monitor power use
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B013PKYILS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For multiple wires there are a few options,

Delcity has some options https://www.delcity.net/store/X-&-Y-Connectors/p_802072

I usually just go up one size with the crimp connector.

If you use the crimp connectors get your self a good set of crimpers like this one
https://smile.amazon.com/Hilitchi-P...rd_wg=DkL2j&psc=1&refRID=NKP3F4ZGX8HWYJY72TY9
 

Joe917

Explorer
As said fuse all positive wires at source. (the fridge fuse will protect the fridge wiring but not the wire leading to the fridge)
Fuse for the wire size not load.
Use appropriate wire sizes, https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437
Use lots of wire support, assume everything is going to move, look to avoid chaffing.
Use the correct size crimp connector for the wire gauge. Pull hard on the crimped connection to check it. If you were to test to destruction the wire should fail before the crimp lets go.
 

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