inline fuse, how far from battery...

[Mx468]

How far from the battery can I hook up a inline fuse for my 2000w inverter? I originally tried to put a inline fuse in my battery box with my battery but the fit was too tight, can I install it further away outside my battery box closer to my inverter which is located about 5 ft away inside my closet? What's the furthest distance can I go? Thanks.

[blickcd]

Any distance should work, but the closer you are to the battery the safer you will be.

By safe, I mean that regardless of if the fuse is blown or even in place, the wire from the battery to the fuse holder will always be live. If cut accidentally, no fuse to blow and protect you, since that fuse is 'upstream'.

Hope that makes sense.

[Mx468]

Got it, makes sense. Thanks. I plan on installing it about 2-3 ft away from my battery.

[AtomicNo13]

A fuse is there to protect the wire. Should be within 8" of battery.

[Mx468]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

A fuse is there to protect the wire. Should be within 8" of battery.

I would but can't because it won't fit in my battery box, so I have no choice but to install it 2-3ft away which puts the inline fuse right in my closet next to where my positive line exits the trailer and goes into the battery box. I guess having a fuse a little further away is better than not having one at all. I'm also running 4awg wire from my inverter to my 200amp inline fuse and then to the battery.

[Mx468]

How many lines can I put on my positive terminal on my battery? I need to put 3 on, 1 from my victron battery monitor, inverter, and main positive line to my converter/charger.

[2dabeach]

Originally Posted by Mx468

How many lines can I put on my positive terminal on my battery? I need to put 3 on, 1 from my victron battery monitor, inverter, and main positive line to my converter/charger.

Mx468.......I'm not aware of a RV standard regarding the number of terminals you can connect to a battery stud. In the boating industry there is an American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standard E-11 that restricts the number of terminals connected to a battery stud to 4 terminals.

[jimfa440]

Originally Posted by blickcd

Any distance should work, but the closer you are to the battery the safer you will be.

By safe, I mean that regardless of if the fuse is blown or even in place, the wire from the battery to the fuse holder will always be live. If cut accidentally, no fuse to blow and protect you, since that fuse is 'upstream'.

Hope that makes sense.

Sir you are correct.
Signed
An Old Retired Engineer

[Hoagie]

Originally Posted by Mx468

I would but can't because it won't fit in my battery box, so I have no choice but to install it 2-3ft away which puts the inline fuse right in my closet next to where my positive line exits the trailer and goes into the battery box. I guess having a fuse a little further away is better than not having one at all. I'm also running 4awg wire from my inverter to my 200amp inline fuse and then to the battery.

Had this same issue on our last trailer (a Starcraft) when adding a line for the power tongue jack. No room for the fuse holder inside the battery box. I found a fuse holder at West Marine that was rated for wet locations and marine use. In 10 years after installation I never had one issue with it.

[Zil]

I ran the fused battery positive to a Blue Sea buss bar. Then cables from bus bar, each with a fuse. I used these terminal mounted fuses. https://shop.marinehowto.com/product...d-battery-fuse

[Mx468]

If I put 3 lines on 1 positive side battery terminal can I just stack them on top of each other? I tried to fit a extra terminal on my battery post but it’s a tight fit.

[gklott]

From ANSI/RVIA LV "Standard for Low Voltage Systems In Conversion and Recreational Vehicles": "The overcurrent-protective device shall be installed in an accessible location on the vehicle within 18 in. (457 mm) of the point where the power source connects to the vehicle circuits."

Recommend placing it as close to the battery as you can, but no more 18" from the battery.

Also from ANSI/RVIA LV:
"6-1.14 Stacking. No more than four terminals shall be secured to any one terminal stud. If additional connections are necessary, two or more terminal studs may be connected together by means of appropriately sized jumpers or copper straps."

Originally Posted by Mx468

I'm also running 4awg wire from my inverter to my 200amp inline fuse and then to the battery.

Am confused on the 4 AWG and 200A fuse. From ANSI/RVIA LV, for a 105 C rated 4 AWG, the maximum ampacity is 120 A. From ABYC E-11, Table VI-A, the maximum ampacity for a single, unbundled 4 AWG, 105 C conductor is 160A.

Your inline fuse protects the wire, and, taking the most restrictive, should be no more that 120A. For 200A, you should be using 2 AWG 105 C conductor or larger. You might need larger depending on the total length and voltage drop.

73/gus
Dr. Gus Lott, P.E.

[Paprika]

Just a thought: could you use a Marine-Rated Battery Fuse (MRBF)? These are heavy-duty fuses that mount directly on top of a battery post, and provide a terminal post that you can attach your cables to.

Two gotchas: an MRBF adds a couple of inches of height, so you need adequate vertical clearance in your battery box. And they're made for threaded battery posts, not lead posts, so if you have standard automotive batteries, you'll need post adapters. Still, if they'll fit, they are an excellent solution that puts the fuse right on the battery--no worrying about an unfused length of cable between battery and fuse.

[Mx468]

Originally Posted by gklott

From ANSI/RVIA LV "Standard for Low Voltage Systems In Conversion and Recreational Vehicles": "The overcurrent-protective device shall be installed in an accessible location on the vehicle within 18 in. (457 mm) of the point where the power source connects to the vehicle circuits."

Recommend placing it as close to the battery as you can, but no more 18" from the battery.

Also from ANSI/RVIA LV:
"6-1.14 Stacking. No more than four terminals shall be secured to any one terminal stud. If additional connections are necessary, two or more terminal studs may be connected together by means of appropriately sized jumpers or copper straps."



Am confused on the 4 AWG and 200A fuse. From ANSI/RVIA LV, for a 105 C rated 4 AWG, the maximum ampacity is 120 A. From ABYC E-11, Table VI-A, the maximum ampacity for a single, unbundled 4 AWG, 105 C conductor is 160A.

Your inline fuse protects the wire, and, taking the most restrictive, should be no more that 120A. For 200A, you should be using 2 AWG 105 C conductor or larger. You might need larger depending on the total length and voltage drop.

73/gus
Dr. Gus Lott, P.E.

I actually meant 2awg wire, not 4.