I'm organizing the front storage compartment on the old Fifth Wheel and wondering why the circuit breaker in the wire from the trailer plug to the batteries is mounted on the bottom of the frame. They went to a bit of trouble doing it, so there must be a reason, but as a fairly knowledgeable guy I can't figure what it is.I'd like to relocate a new breaker on the frame inside the compartment and dress up the wires which now run across low in the compartment. Anybody know a good reason why I shouldn't?Photos below. Thanks for any info.Joe

OP - your pics are way too big. Quote my post and note the use of the height parameter.

Put it where ever you want to.And make you pictures smaller when posting so that they are easier to look at :B

Old-Biscuit wrote:Put it where ever you want to.And make you pictures smaller when posting so that they are easier to look at :BSorry about the photo size--haven't posted here in years, and even then I don't believe I ever had occasion to post photos.2oldman--got it...height 200. Saw that option and will use it next time.Thanks for the comments.Joe

joeway wrote:2oldman--got it...height 200. Saw that option and will use it next time.You don't have to wait for a next time!

Dang! I need a GPS in here!Breakers mounted in exposed locations -could have- spray can undercoating coating which makes them endure for many times the length of service.

12v Circuit Breaker on outside of frame | Good Sam Community

brulaz
Explorer
May 28, 2014
So these pictures are of circuit breakers? Self resetting I guess?

Recently traced my battery cable into the TT basement, and then through another panel up into the TT floor, and found four of these things and a rat's nest of wires. Quickly covered it all back up and decided to run my solar charging cables separately and directly to the battery.

One of these days I may get up the courage to open it all up again and figure out where everything goes.
LarryJM
Explorer II
May 27, 2014
Alan_Hepburn wrote:
Why is a circuit breaker mounted remote from the batteries? Well, when batteries are recharging they generate hydrogen gas, which needs to be vented to atmosphere. If there is a concentration of hydrogen gas in an enclosed area and you generate an electrical spark in that area, say by a circuit breaker tripping, the spark and the gas make happy sounds together, not to mention fireworks...

While that thought is valid the reason I believe is just the opposite ... i.e. they are mounted close to the batteries for a valid reason. They actually take the place of fusable links and limit the amperage to high amperage items that have a connection direct to the battery. Below are the pics of those breakers on my trailer and where the go/come from and I bet a lot of others have similar setups and probaby just haven't found it yet or it hasn't corroded and failed yet.

CB after only 2 years

replaced and sealed

Larry
Alan_Hepburn
Explorer
May 27, 2014
Why is a circuit breaker mounted remote from the batteries? Well, when batteries are recharging they generate hydrogen gas, which needs to be vented to atmosphere. If there is a concentration of hydrogen gas in an enclosed area and you generate an electrical spark in that area, say by a circuit breaker tripping, the spark and the gas make happy sounds together, not to mention fireworks...
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 27, 2014
Kudos!

If you wire a 12 volt rated LED lamp across the two breaker studs, if you see it shining, the breaker has tripped. Just a hint...
tenbear
Explorer
May 27, 2014
joeway wrote:
tenbear wrote:
Seems to me you could mount the CB anywhere you want and run the wires in a split wire loom.

As far as the photos go, I set the width to 640. That makes a bigger photo but fits well on the forum page.

Ha...were you watching me work? I think it looks much better now.

I'l try W=640.

Again, Thanks to all.

Joe

Nice job! Looks really good. :)
Joe_Way
Explorer
May 27, 2014
tenbear wrote:
Seems to me you could mount the CB anywhere you want and run the wires in a split wire loom.

As far as the photos go, I set the width to 640. That makes a bigger photo but fits well on the forum page.

Ha...were you watching me work? I think it looks much better now.

I'l try W=640.

Again, Thanks to all.

Joe
tenbear
Explorer
May 26, 2014
Seems to me you could mount the CB anywhere you want and run the wires in a split wire loom.

As far as the photos go, I set the width to 640. That makes a bigger photo but fits well on the forum page.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 26, 2014
The people who do this are basically house electricians, that's why the white wires are often (NOT ALWAYS) ground on the 12 volt side of life. (Neutral equivalent).

They are also not scientists,, They may well not have thought about the effects of wind and rain and weather and corrosion on the connections.

However, That said, Seems to be in good shape.
Joe_Way
Explorer
May 26, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Dang! I need a GPS in here!

Breakers mounted in exposed locations -could have- spray can undercoating coating which makes them endure for many times the length of service.

OK, OK...got the photos fixed.

No undercoating on this one. I can still read the specs.

Thanks to all.

Joe
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 26, 2014
Dang! I need a GPS in here!

Breakers mounted in exposed locations -could have- spray can undercoating coating which makes them endure for many times the length of service.