I'm considering installing an auxiliary battery in my '88 camper. I've looked through the list archives, and I think I know basically what to do. However, I still have a couple of questions: (1) By what route have people run the wire from the starting battery to the auxiliary battery? Under the carpet? Under the floor? Do I drill a new hole in the starting battery compartment? (2) How much amperage will flow across that wire? I need the amperage to figure out what size wire, relay, and fuse to use. If I have a 90 amp alternator, do I need to be prepared for 90 amps on that wire? If I want to be able to jump start my (dead) starting battery from my auxiliary battery across that same wire (I could put in a by-pass switch across the relay to do this), then how many amps are there during a jump? I should mention that I'm currently leaning toward putting in a new relay, rather than using the fridge relay. But: (3) If I were to use the fridge relay, is the existing "+" wire from the starting battery to that relay really heavy enough to handle the current between the starting battery and the auxiliary battery? I realize many people have used it, but it looks kind of thin to me. If I use it, should I add a fuse to it? Similarly, is the relay itself really heavy enough? Thanks for the help. -Steven Sittser |
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