Adding an accessory outlet

JGator

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 14, 2012
Messages
118
I'm adding an accessory outlet, the round auto type. The outlet is rated @ 15 amps however doubt I'll ever get close to 15 amps. The most I might pull would be 5~ amps when using my thermoelectric cooler which is rated @ 5 amps. The motor alternator output is rated @ 15 amps according to the manual.

What gauge wire should I run? Coming from the battery the distance is 10~ feet.

Jim
 

robert graham

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Apr 16, 2009
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6,908
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Walmart sells a black plastic battery box with a 12 Volt outlet built into the top, with a breaker and a battery guage...about $25...might save you some trouble, unless you just want your outlet built into your dashboard/control panel....
 

minuteman62-64

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Apr 12, 2011
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1,350
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Lots of posts on appropriate wire/fuse size for various applications. For a 10 foot run, 12 ga would allow you close to a 20 amp draw. Seems like overkill for what you want. To use the full capacity of the outlet (why not - who knows what you'll be doing in the future?) you'd go 14 ga protected w/15 amp fuse/breaker. Or, if you're sure you won't be going that heavy draw, use 16 ga protected w/10 amp breaker.

No problem going w/bigger wire - just a little more expensive and harder to handle/connect. Many of the posts on here say don't go smaller than 16 ga for any of your circuits.
 

TTavenier3

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Jul 18, 2012
Messages
105
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

just my .02 i would use 12 gauge copper core wire and a inline fuse with a 15 amp fuse. . if you want it to work weather to boat key is on or off i would wire it directly to the battery. if you want it on only when the boats on run it to the blower switch or a switch if you have one. not sure what boat you have. good luck. just a fyi if you can soilder your connections dont just crimp them doing so will keep the connections from corroding or being pulled out.:cool:
 

TTavenier3

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Jul 18, 2012
Messages
105
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Walmart sells a black plastic battery box with a 12 Volt outlet built into the top, with a breaker and a battery guage...about $25...might save you some trouble, unless you just want your outlet built into your dashboard/control panel....

those battery boxes are alot more than that. i think i seen one at my local walmart for 49.99.
if you can get them for 25 bucks ill have you buy me 2 and ship them to me and ill send you a check.
 

JGator

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 14, 2012
Messages
118
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Lots of posts on appropriate wire/fuse size for various applications. For a 10 foot run, 12 ga would allow you close to a 20 amp draw. Seems like overkill for what you want. To use the full capacity of the outlet (why not - who knows what you'll be doing in the future?) you'd go 14 ga protected w/15 amp fuse/breaker. Or, if you're sure you won't be going that heavy draw, use 16 ga protected w/10 amp breaker.

No problem going w/bigger wire - just a little more expensive and harder to handle/connect. Many of the posts on here say don't go smaller than 16 ga for any of your circuits.


I tried to search for other posts on gauge recommendations and found so many unrelated posts to what I need to know :confused: ... Anywho I have plenty of 16ga and some 14ga wire in my shop...
 

JGator

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
118
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

those battery boxes are alot more than that. i think i seen one at my local walmart for 49.99.
if you can get them for 25 bucks ill have you buy me 2 and ship them to me and ill send you a check.

This is on a pontoon and wanted to mount the outlet in the helm.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Just come off an empty slot on the accessory fuse panel with 14 ga. wire and a 15A fuse. The fuse panels are located in the helm, no need to go all the way to the battery.
 

JGator

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 14, 2012
Messages
118
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Just come off an empty slot on the accessory fuse panel with 14 ga. wire and a 15A fuse. The fuse panels are located in the helm, no need to go all the way to the battery.

Where would you recommend I run the ground to?

Jim
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Many times there is a ground buss on the fuse panel. I have no idea what you have (can't see it) but if you post some pictures under there I would bet we can find it for you.

PS, it will have a bunch of black wires going to it.
 

JGator

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 14, 2012
Messages
118
Re: Adding an accessory outlet

Thanks for all of the valued advice. I decided to run 14ga with the 15amp inline fuse directly from the battery. It was actually much easier than using the fuse block.

Jim
 
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