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Geewizard's avatar
Geewizard
Explorer
Sep 09, 2021

Load center wiring

Here's my question: If one were to disconnect the negative cable from the battery to the load center (fuses, breakers, etc) AT THE LOAD CENTER, shouldn't one have no power to all the 12v devices?

And if one still has 12v going to those devices with that negative cable disconnected, doesn't that mean there's a wiring error? Such as the negative part of the circuit being carried by ground wires?

Just curious.....
  • I have been going through my Arctic Fox wiring. The only other source of power I was seeing was from my 20 watt solar panel on the roof. It still manages to supply 12v in the shade but not enough amps to power anything. I disconnected it while working on it.
  • I would expect the battery ground cable to be connected to the frame as well as the load center. In that case, disconnecting ground from the load center would not disconnect ground from the battery.
    Did you trace the ground wire to see where or how many places it is connected?
  • Depends.
    - Brakes are often direct wired to the battery thru the emergency breakaway switch, so it doesn't accidentally get disconnected while towing.
    - Propane detectors, you don't want them accidentally disconnected.
    - Solar often bypasses the 12v panel, so it can keep the battery charged when in storage.
    - Inverters may have their own connection to the battery, so it can be placed close to the battery bank. Long runs of 12v at high amperage tend to have big voltage drop.

    If you want to be sure everything is disconnected in storage, put in a disconnect at the battery that disconnects everything at the battery terminal.
  • There is a wiring issue. It could be if connected to shore power, the converter is suppling 12 vots DC. If plugged into truck, the truck battery is suppling 12 volts DC. If not plugged into or shore power, the ground and neutral are connected together in the camper's 120volt distribution panel or fault in system.
  • I'm not on shore power nor am I connected to the truck.

    If I disconnect at the battery end, everything is unpowered as it should be.

    I'm trying to find out if this is normal. I think it is because the negative terminal of the battery is connected to the frame ground as are the ground wires.
  • Don't forget your truck battery is supplying 12 volts to your camper via the pigtail if connected.
  • Hi,

    If on shore power the converter will provide power to the 12 volt side of the rv.

    If not on shore power, then try disconnecting at the battery end.
  • I think it just depends on how the rest of the wiring was done. So, maybe not wrong, but at least a secondary path.