How to Wire a Circuit Breaker for My RV Battery
DC circuit breakers are available in a wide variety of sizes, styles and capacities, for marine and automotive purposes. Midrange circuit breakers are available at ratings of 30, 40 and 50 amps. High-amperage circuit breakers are available at ratings of between 50 amps and 150 amps. Circuit breakers cannot be freestanding, and to function they must be installed inside a circuit breaker box. Multi-breaker boxes are familiar as the first user-accessible component on a domestic 120-volt service, and single-breaker boxes manufactured for 12 volt use are similar in appearance and function.
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Instructions
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1
Consult the manufacturer literature relevant to the 12 volt coach system of your RV, and determine what maximum voltage the circuit breaker should be able to carry. Purchase the circuit breaker size recommended by the vendor.
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2
Remove the ground wire from the negative terminal of the coach battery.
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3
Turn off power to the wire into which the circuit breaker is to be inserted by disconnecting the live, or hot--usually color-coded red--wire from the positive battery terminal.
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4
Determine a location along the run of wire between the battery and the 12 volt fuse panel where the circuit breaker is to be installed. The location should be easily accessible, yet not expose the circuit breaker to spilled moisture or accidental contact.
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5
Use wire cutters to cut the wire where the circuit breaker is to be installed.
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6
Use wire strippers to remove half an inch of insulation from each butt end of the severed wire. Twist the stands of the wire at each separate end so that two firm, rope-like braids are created.
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7
Remove the dead-front panel of the circuit breaker box to expose the two terminal connections. If the circuit breaker is inside, remove it from the circuit breaker box according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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8
Insert into the circuit breaker box the wire that will supply power to the RV from the positive terminal of the battery. It may be necessary to remove a "knock-out" to pass the wire through; if so, use a rubber grommet to protect the wire.
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9
Attach the stripped and braided end of the wire from the battery into the circuit breaker box terminal marked for that purpose, typically the terminal to the left of the breaker housing itself. Slip the braid fully into the circular receiver at the top of the terminal, and use your screwdriver to firmly tighten down the screw so that the wire cannot be moved.
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10
Insert into the circuit breaker box the wire that will supply power to the 12-volt fuse board. It may be necessary to remove a "knock-out" to pass the wire through. If so, use a rubber grommet to protect the wire.
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11
Attach the stripped and braided end of the wire to the fuse board into the circuit breaker box terminal marked for that purpose, typically the terminal to the right of the breaker housing itself. Slip the braid fully into the circular receiver at the top of the terminal, and use your screwdriver to firmly tighten down the screw so that the wire cannot be moved.
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12
Install the circuit breaker into the circuit breaker box according to the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure that the circuit breaker is in the "off" position. Replace the dead-front panel of the circuit breaker box.
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13
Replace the live wire on to the positive terminal of the coach battery. Replace the ground wire on to the negative terminal of the coach battery.
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Tips & Warnings
Even 12-volt electricity is dangerous. Always use caution when working around electricity.
No circuit-breaking component should be installed after the chassis battery. If a chassis battery is disconnected while the RV is in motion, all ability to control the vehicle will be lost. Install a circuit breaker only on coach battery circuits.
