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02-08-2016, 07:10 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Indianapolis
, Indiana
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 60
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12 volt panel - replace
I'm planning to replace the current 12 volt panel:
I'll use this new panel with BUS fuses:
The current panel uses 30 amp fuses? This seems like a lot. Should I use 30a Bus fuses in the new panel?
As always, thanks for the input, comments and suggestions.
Jason
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02-08-2016, 07:34 PM
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#2
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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That new panel looks like the same one I used when I pulled out the old Univolt in my '73 and replaced it with a modern 3 stage charger.
I simply duplicated the connections and fuse sizes that were on the old Univolt panel. I'm not an engineer, but I figured an engineer must have designed that layout back in '73. That guy or gal knew a whole lot more about electrons running around on those circuits than I ever will.
What model camper do you have?
Jim
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02-08-2016, 07:46 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Indianapolis
, Indiana
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 60
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It's a 1977 sovereign. I upgraded from the uninvolt last year to a modern convertor. The panel was separate from the univolt and now it needs to go.
Over the years, owners have made multiple changes to the interior 12 volt wiring. I might start with 15 amp on each circuit and see what happens. If it blows, I'll move up to 20, 25 then 30. ...not to exceed the current amps.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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02-08-2016, 08:42 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
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Searching my memory banks I seem to recall 2 30 amp fuses for the battery and charging system. 4 20 amp circuits for distributing the power to the trailer circuits.. Your photo looks like circuit breakers not fuses. I could be wrong.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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02-08-2016, 09:34 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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There should be no circuit in your coach that requires a fuse rating above 20 amps. The wire size is what determines the fuse rating. #14 wire is protected by a 15 amp fuse; #12 wire is protected by a 20 amp fuse.
Since there is no provision for protection of the heavy gauge wires from the battery and charge circuit from the TV. Additional 30 amp fuses in line with these wires is recommended. Modern converters have crow bar protection. As long as the wires from the converter to the fuse panel are rated for at least the max output (in amps) of the converter those wires are protected.
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02-09-2016, 07:22 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Indianapolis
, Indiana
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 60
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Most of the current wiring appears to be a mix of #14 and #12 wire. Is there any problem with using a 15 amp BUS fuse on these?
Can the old "short stop" breakers/fuses be reset? Or, once tripped, do they need replaced?
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02-09-2016, 08:45 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
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Not sure about your particular set up but in my 93 there are similar looking breakers that have a very small reset button.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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02-09-2016, 11:34 AM
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#8
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TG Twinkie
There should be no circuit in your coach that requires a fuse rating above 20 amps. The wire size is what determines the fuse rating. #14 wire is protected by a 15 amp fuse; #12 wire is protected by a 20 amp fuse.
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Though this is a typical approach for home wiring, 12v RV wiring may use smaller or larger fuses.
My recommendation would be to use a fuse for each circuit that matches the rating of the circuit breaker that is being used now for that circuit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonsherman
Can the old "short stop" breakers/fuses be reset? Or, once tripped, do they need replaced?
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The breakers you have are thermal self-resetting breakers. They will reset by themselves after cooling for a period of time.
__________________
To learn to see below the surface, you must adjust your altitude
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02-09-2016, 11:37 AM
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#9
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim & Susan
I simply duplicated the connections and fuse sizes that were on the old Univolt panel. I'm not an engineer, but I figured an engineer must have designed that layout back in '73.
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..must..not..post..reply...
__________________
To learn to see below the surface, you must adjust your altitude
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02-09-2016, 02:01 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1977 27' Overlander
Winnetka
, California
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 44
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Fuse panel
I just upgraded my fuse panel on my 1977 27' overlander and it looks like the same one I used. I did not change the fuse size and went with factory specs and I'm very happy to say no problems at all. One thing that will help is upgrading a lot of lights to LED it helps the electrical loads on the existing system.
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02-09-2016, 02:03 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1977 27' Overlander
Winnetka
, California
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 44
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Best upgrade by a long shot.
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02-09-2016, 02:35 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Indianapolis
, Indiana
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 60
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Yes. All lights are LED.
Thanks for all the input. I plan to match up the new-Bus-Fuse amps with the old circuit breakers in the next week or so. I'll keep you posted.
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02-09-2016, 04:11 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,017
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In the 76 AS they used 2 50 amp 32 volt buss fuses in hot side and 1 50 amp 32 volt fuse in ground wire. These are in battery connections at fuse panel. When I replaced old univolt w/converter kept fuse panel, changed nothing, only circuit that does not work is power on light that can be made to work but not worth effort, as I use blue night lite plugged into 110 outlet, and I like as I can see it when hooking up elec. looking into back widow without going into over head cab. to see if power is on.
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02-10-2016, 06:12 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1972 29' Ambassador
Boynton Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 568
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I've got a similar fuse panel, works well. When I upgraded the PO's install, I added a big knife switch to be able to isolate the batteries. I also added a master fuse, a 50 amp as I recall, one of big fuses and holders that the guys with the boom-box cars use. Good time to wire in an ammeter, if you don't have one hooked up already.
Having the extra slots is great, maybe run a few more wires to put some things on different circuits? Makes it easier to isolate a fault, better to have a few lights go out rather than all of them!
I store spare fuses in the unused slots, no fumbling around in the dark!
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