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02-20-2020, 08:11 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 7
THOR #17902
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Dual Battery Cable size
I have a 2020 Chateau 27R and i want to upgrade to two batteries. The batteries I intend to use are the Duracell 27DCX, since 6 VDC golf cart batteries won't fit. I'm going to use two 24" cables to wire the batteries in parallel. My question is, what should the AWG of the cable be? Thanks
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02-20-2020, 08:15 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
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Match or better the size that's feeding your single battery.
The bigger the better, but no less than what feeds your exisitng battery.
The smallest wire in a system is the judge, jury and executioner.
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02-20-2020, 08:30 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 7
THOR #17902
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It appears that the existing cable is 6 AWG. do you think i should stay with the 6 AWG, or can i go to 4 AWG. thanks
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02-20-2020, 08:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
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I would go as big as I could bend into position.
If you later decide on a 3000w inverter with 350 amp charging, you'll be ready to go.
Crimping ends is going to be crucial no matter the size you use.
While you're in tear up mode I'd redo those 6 cables with bigger.
Most of the labor is already done with the battery tear out.
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02-21-2020, 12:19 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 35M
State: Illinois
Posts: 5
THOR #16237
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I would just use the #4 gauge wire, that will be more than enough. That wire is rated for 80 amps.
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02-21-2020, 03:43 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
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When I went to 4-6 volt batteries I used 4 awg. Purchased thru Amazon.
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Pat & Becky & now Katie
Wenatchee, WA
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02-21-2020, 04:40 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Missouri
Posts: 2,324
THOR #6903
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I prefer nothing smaller than 2 when connecting GC2
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02-21-2020, 04:46 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wsthomas1
I have a 2020 Chateau 27R and i want to upgrade to two batteries. The batteries I intend to use are the Duracell 27DCX, since 6 VDC golf cart batteries won't fit. I'm going to use two 24" cables to wire the batteries in parallel. My question is, what should the AWG of the cable be? Thanks
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It all depends on the maximum current (amperage) you expect to draw from the battery. In other words, 1/2 of the total expected draw. Typically there is a 50 amp circuit breaker in the converter and the battery bank cable and a 100 amp circuit breaker on the cable to the generator starter motor and the jack motor. So, 4 ga will carry 100 amps (with a 3% loss), but to connect the batteries together, you would only flow 50 amps from each battery; thus the answer would be 6 ga. If you have an 1000 watt inverter, it should have a 100 amp circuit breaker, also; so the answer remains 6 ga is sufficient.
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Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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02-21-2020, 05:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388
It all depends on the maximum current (amperage) you expect to draw from the battery. In other words, 1/2 of the total expected draw. Typically there is a 50 amp circuit breaker in the converter and the battery bank cable and a 100 amp circuit breaker on the cable to the generator starter motor and the jack motor. So, 4 ga will carry 100 amps (with a 3% loss), but to connect the batteries together, you would only flow 50 amps from each battery; thus the answer would be 6 ga. If you have an 1000 watt inverter, it should have a 100 amp circuit breaker, also; so the answer remains 6 ga is sufficient.
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Is sufficient, sufficient, when given a very similar cost alternative?
That is my point. Mine isn't a mathematical solvent. It is a practicality of required labor vs the cost of larger wire and potential future draw solvent.
The labor is the same, the routing is the same, the cost differential is negligible and there is no down side to the larger wire(unless you all know of one that is pertinent.).
Unless you can't afford it, why not upgrade now for the potential 3000w inverter?
My system has a 350a fuse.
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02-21-2020, 05:16 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwmcguire
I prefer nothing smaller than 2 when connecting GC2
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The answer to the question is entirely different for 6 volt batteries in series vs the OP's 12 volt batteries in parallel.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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02-21-2020, 06:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Missouri
Posts: 2,324
THOR #6903
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12v Voltage Drop Chart
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02-21-2020, 10:39 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2011 FW Hurricane 33T
State: England
Posts: 1,281
THOR #16471
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HA! That is what I like about this site, someone asks a simple question and you get a rash of different answers!
Quote:
I have a 2020 Chateau 27R and i want to upgrade to two batteries. The batteries I intend to use are the Duracell 27DCX, since 6 VDC golf cart batteries won't fit. I'm going to use two 24" cables to wire the batteries in parallel. My question is, what should the AWG of the cable be? Thanks
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So all that was asked is what AWG is needed to parallel two 12v batteries, 4 ft total.
So the right answer is what Beau388 posted... it is only 4 ft and if there are upgrades later, the OP can deal with larger cable then.
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02-21-2020, 10:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Keystone
Model: Sprinter
State: Florida
Posts: 1,422
THOR #15553
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wsthomas1
I have a 2020 Chateau 27R and i want to upgrade to two batteries. The batteries I intend to use are the Duracell 27DCX, since 6 VDC golf cart batteries won't fit. I'm going to use two 24" cables to wire the batteries in parallel. My question is, what should the AWG of the cable be? Thanks
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It's just like AC voltage. you must size the wire to the load to be served. You must calculate the wire size per voltage drop using the distance of the wire. See attache voltage chart.
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2011 Keystone Sprinter 323BHS. Retired Master Electrician. All Motor Homes are RV's. All RV's are not Motor Homes.
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02-21-2020, 10:51 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2011 FW Hurricane 33T
State: England
Posts: 1,281
THOR #16471
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Sheeeeeeesh....
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02-27-2020, 03:47 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 877
THOR #17478
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I purchased a crimp tool, crimp lugs, and 4 gauge welding wire. Custom length on everything. Nice and clean.
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02-27-2020, 12:44 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
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Where did you pick up the crimp tool? Reasonable price for a one time job? I wonder if I could rent a crimper?
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Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
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02-27-2020, 12:46 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Keystone
Model: Sprinter
State: Florida
Posts: 1,422
THOR #15553
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
Where did you pick up the crimp tool? Reasonable price for a one time job? I wonder if I could rent a crimper?
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Most auto parts stores loan/rent tools. I know Advanced does.
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2011 Keystone Sprinter 323BHS. Retired Master Electrician. All Motor Homes are RV's. All RV's are not Motor Homes.
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02-27-2020, 01:36 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
Where did you pick up the crimp tool? Reasonable price for a one time job? I wonder if I could rent a crimper?
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Amazon of course. I bought this to crimp lugs for battery cables on my sailboat:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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02-27-2020, 05:30 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 877
THOR #17478
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
Where did you pick up the crimp tool? Reasonable price for a one time job? I wonder if I could rent a crimper?
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You maybe able to use one from an auto parts store, but I chose to purchase one for round $25 on up. As long as it is a compound or ratchet crimper it will be easy.
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