Auxiliary battery hook up help

[highdesertranger]

With those small wires still disconnected check the ciggy plug center conductor.

if it still has 12v it is not connected to the aux battery.
if it doesn't have 12v then connect the 2 small wires and recheck the center conductor. it should have 12v

Highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

I should be in the Blue Mtns in Baker county around the end of July. If you don't get it straighten out by then I will be happy to check it out.

Highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

With the house battery disconnected plug in the cooler if it has a on indicator light or if that is a 12 volt DC fan in your picture plug it in and see if it turns on. If it does not, turn on the vehicle till the lights on the dash come on and try again. If it comes on either time it is getting power from the vehicle battery as the house battery is not connected and the vehicle battery normally is the only other power source unless you are charging at the time with solar and it is somehow connected which it shouldn't be.

 

[Bohemian scout]

I finally found my receipt from my new battery installation December 2020 when I had the technician check the 12 V accessory plug. the report that the accessory plug is sourced by the engine bay battery not the auxiliary battery behind the driver seat. So I guess that solves that problem however I will Check that out for sure using the methods you both suggested. It’s still a mystery what the hell those thin wires are hooked up to probably the meth head hooked them somewhere in the vicinity thinking that would work. As long as everything else works properly after doing the checks suggested I will tape off those connections, tuck away and forget about it because I’m not taking the wall off to find out. I will also replace that connector on the thick red wire before hooking my battery back up. Now if I can just figure out how to change my portable renogy solar to permanent. Thanks for the help.

 

[wayne49]

You didn't ask the question, but you might want to clip the ciggy plug and direct connect (with a proper fuse) the fridge +12V cable to a bus bar connected to the battery bank's 12V.

Unless you have a reason for keeping the ciggy plug. Portability, etc.

There are many prior posts on CRVL about the shortcomings of ciggy connections.

 

[highdesertranger]

For now you can just put a lug on the cable and use the same terminal. Just use one of the pinch bolts through the lug.

Better yet go with military terminals. Then the lug needs to 3/8's. If it was me that's what I would do, use military terminals.

Highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

here I will help you spend some more money,

put that battery in a plastic battery box
add a master fuse to the positive side

Highdesertranger

 

[Bohemian scout]

You two guys lost me on those last two messages talking about a bus bar, lug, pinch bolts and military terminals but I’ll try to figure it out. I want to hook things back up but I want to make sure it’s safe, not cause damage or start a fire…
I do like to be able to use that 12v plug. This set up is simple and temporary because I’d like to add a real battery bank some day soon and proper solar, maybe a different van.

 

[highdesertranger]

here you go,

Buss Bar,
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Sys...620048032&sprefix=blue+sea+bus,aps,224&sr=8-5

military terminal,
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=military...ry+battery,aps,259&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_16

cable lug,
https://www.amazon.com/Ancor-Wire-L...ncor+battery+cable+lugs&qid=1620049121&sr=8-4

by pinch bolt I was referring to the two bolts that pinch the wire on that terminal you have.

Stay away from cheap stuff, Blue Sea and Ancor are top of the line. Stay away from anything that pinches the wire to hold it in place, for certain items this is impossible but for most things you can find lug terminals hook ups.

Highdesertranger

 

[Bohemian scout]

Master fuse?

 

[highdesertranger]

Battery fuse,

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Sys...s=blue+sea+battery+fuse&qid=1620050468&sr=8-4

Highdesertranger

 

[Bohemian scout]

Thanks Mike, that’s a lot of new info to check out and digest...thanks!

 

[highdesertranger]

You are welcome. Told you I was going to help you spend some money, LOL. Highdesertranger

 

[user 423]

That battery doesn't have separate terminals. To mount that type of fuse?

 

[highdesertranger]

Sure it does if you use military terminals. Highdesertranger

 

[user 37446]

Now thats a helpful thread on wiring up a battery as opposed to the other one that got closed.
No mention of large (3 ought') wire diameter either... Refreshing.

I just speed read through it, what kind/amperage isolator and are the grounds run back up to the engine bay (as opposed to the body bolts/seat frame)? That would be my main question.

Follow HDR's links, read up on the electrical subforum and always fuze the positive side with a fuze about equal to the wire capacity. You are mainly trying to protect the wire with the fuze. When I first started reading about 12v electricals I didn't quite get that but then in a house it's the same, the breakers are to protect the wiring, not the appliance or the light.

Here's an English (UK) website that does a pretty good job explaining things, just remember they use 240 vs our 120...
https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/knowledge-centre.html

 

[user 423]

Does the OP have a crimper large enough to install the lug onto the battery cable?

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't know if they have a crimper. But finding a shop with one and only doing one or two crimps in place shouldn't be to bad. I have a hydraulic crimper but I don't think they will want to wait until I am in the area. But I am more than willing. Highdesertranger

 

[user 37446]

I found that the battery stores (Battery Plus or Batteries + Bulbs) will crimp things for you. Stereo shops as well.
All for a fee but then you don't purchase the crimpers, connectors, make costly mistakes and have to carry it all with you.
Like anything else, you can become "tool poor". But for some, that's a matter of pride.

 

[Bohemian scout]

I plugged my 12 volt fan into the 12v aux plug show in the first photo right above the battery box. it didn't work so I'm assume the Thinner wires are in fact coming from the plug and need to be hooked up for that cig plug in to work. 
I can do without that plug for now if I can hook up the new 12 volt adapter that has a fuse to my auxiliary battery so I can plug my fridge in. 
HERE'S THE QUESTION...
Can I hook up the auxiliary battery without replacing the connector on the big red wire? For now...I know it needs replaced but will it suffice for now? I'm going exploring and then camping in a few days and need to hook up my fridge
Also can I plug in this other adapter (superone) because it has a voltage display and I could also plug in my 12 volt fan if needed. It has a 15amp fuse the other adapter has a 30amp fuse. I know it's not the best way bit will it work for now? Highdesertranger, I may take you up on that offer of help end of July in the blue mountains. I'm new to this area and with the pandemic I don't know anyone here in this area. Even finding a person/shop is hard. I though the tech who installed my new van battery and checked the whole system including the 12volt auxiliary plug would have been able to tell me these things but looks like he GOT IT WRONG!