DC subpanel in 80 Series

[Glenn-BJ74]

I am looking into running a DC sub panel (Blue Sea) to somewhere in the back of a 80 series.
An obvious location is behind the rear side panels, but what a PITA if you have to trouble shoot with the back full of cargo.
Has anyone figured out a simple solution?

 

[Enigma]

I have a 1500watt inverter stuffed in my drivers side rear quarter panel, and my solar charger mounted near there as well if that helps. I'll try and dig up a picture.

 

[sailor]

What do you intend to run?

I ran a length of Duplex 10ga boat cable from the right side underhood fuse block and the battery ground back through the firewall bulkhead gland on near the brake booster then back along the door under the carpet to the rear cargo area. I have 2 fused 12V receptacles there for the ARB and something else- so no big load. Do not use chassis for ground as there will be voltage drop. You already are smart enough to splurge on the boat cable so I won't belabour that old saw. For higher current you would likely have to run a suitably larger conductor straight to the battery with appropriate circuit protection - preferably within 7 inches of the positive post. You could put the BSS fuse block in the pocket on the right side?

 

[bj70_guy]

I wish you would do a build thread Glenn - the way you roll it's sure to be interesting!

 

[Fantom]

Are you planning on having a sleeping/storage system in the back? I would just incorporate it into that. Alternatively you could cut into the factory inner panels and make a nice frame around the unit so it's accessible without having to take everything out.

 

[sailor]

Yeah- How often do you need to get at it? If well installed, you shouldn't be blowing fuses. There is a lot of unused volume behind the rear panels and you can keep it out of sight...

 

[RAYJON]

Jeep cherokee/grand cherokee fuse box, make a small bracket mount it in front of the second battery, they mount on the passenger side fender in the Jeep and have about 8ft of pigtail to the drivers side where they go through the firewaLL. Nice compact package has relays and several 30 and 40amp fuses and I think the yard charged me 10$ for it.

 

[RAYJON]

I have the ham, cb, 12 fridge, 12v plugs in console, and a spare 40amp tap all running off of it, each has its own fuse and wireing, real easy to diagnose any issues.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

I like the idea - fabricate a mounting plate for the Blue Sea 6 ST DC sub panel, high in the right rear storage compartment (winch controller compartment) so it is visible with panel in place and stays in place with the panel removed.

Being high on the side won't be in the way of any possible drawers that go in and I can pull the plastic side panels out without disconnecting a bunch of stuff to add loads, etc.

The idea is to:
1) Install waterproof 70 amp circuit breaker/switch (Bussman/Cooper) by the right side battery.
2) Run #6 welding cable back to the Blue Sea 6 pole DC sub panel ( Princess $2.00/ft).
3) Install DC sub panel that is easy to get at (as above).
4) From DC sub panel run the 3/4 hp PUMA off the hot terminal, the fridge, inverter and a number of smaller loads off the fused panel.

When the truck is not in use I can cut power at the switch by flipping the yellow switch in picture.

.

 

[wrongway around]

Id take sailors advice on the marine cable for any cable runs period. Unless this is for more of a city truck.

 

[RAYJON]

marine cable is sealed, moisture can get into welding cable, use something automotive or marine rated...

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

Thanks for the advice.
Since I moved from the Coast I can't get boat cable, which I always used before. The freshwater powerboat suppliers here in Kelowna (contacted 3) use automotive Pico wire.
I am going to Seattle latter this month I will pick up some down there.

Update - best price is for 25' spools of 4 gauge marine is from Amazon about $2.86 $Can per foot.
http://www.amazon.com/Ancor-Marine-Electrical-Tinned-Battery/dp/B000PM1GKQ?tag=ihco-20

You can also get 10-18 gauge flat 2 conductor boat cable from Amazon.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

Based on a minimum voltage drop of no more than 5% for 30 feet (return) with 44 amps draw at 14 volt - I should be using #4 AWG boat cable (5 mm diameter). Puma is 3/4 hp so 560 watts + 10% for fridge/misc = 615 watts/14 volt (engine running) = 44 amps.

http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/wire/voltage-drop-calculator.htm

 

[cruiserpilot]

I like this, within reason I don't think you can use too heavy a wire on long runs. Interested for
sure in a thread on this.

 

[gofast]

I've done exactly as described in post 9 with the same equipment even and the same locations. MY blue sea box has 12 circuits though but only 6 are occupied. My inverter is powered off the same supply cable and mounted to the side of my storage unit. I mounted my bluesea fuse box in the little access cubby with cover in the rear right panel in tthe cargo bay. My storage system still allows access to that panel.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

I need to see this.