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csichoice's avatar
csichoice
Explorer
May 06, 2013

12 Volt Wiring Questions

I have a 2011 Forest River Berkshire 390bh this motor home has two batteries for starting and four house batteries. The four house batteries must be six volt because they have cables running from positive to negative and it is a little confusing for me. I am trying to hard wire in a Dometic portable ref/freezer. The 120 electric was easy but now for the 12Volt? Do I just pick a set of the 6 volt and hook the positive cable to one battery and the negative to the other 6 volt battery? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Class A
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    May 07, 2013
    I apologize it I am sounding harsh here, but if you don't know the difference between 12V and 6V batteries, you're shooting craps trying to wire the thing up yourself. Grab a partner and have a go, but IMHO, don't try it yourself. You may not like the results of the "smoke" test...Dennis
  • GENECOP's avatar
    GENECOP
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2013
    Don't deal with the batteries, find a 12 volt wire feeding a light or switch and grab your power from that, it will already be fuse protected..
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    May 06, 2013
    Locate the two main wires coming off all four batteries that go to the Inverter or converter DC power distribution center.
    What is draw of the Dometic unit.? Use wire sized as specified and don't forget voltage drop. Remember to add circuit protection, fuse or circuit breaker.
  • Iraqvet05's avatar
    Iraqvet05
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    I'd find someone familiar with the use of a multimeter and have them check voltage between at the points you suggested. The batteries are probably wired in series and in parallel but the use of a multimeter will help.

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