[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Hi all - I'm getting there on my 2006 Chevy Express 3500 passenger van conversion. It came with a single separate Group 31 AGM battery which powered a fan, some lights and an outlet. I'm installing a fridge and need the usual outlets and usb connectors to be able to work on my laptop on the road. I was thinking of getting a second battery, but my main questios is this ... how do I connect the battery to the engine so it's charged from the engine as I drive? I'm not getting solar at this point, though maybe a suitcase panel.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]The chap I bought it off suggested taking the power from the aftermarket hitch and rerouting it. That wire is plugged into a 20A fuse in the fusebox under the seat (pic attached). I don't know what gauge that wire is. I've currently disconnected everything. including the fuse, so can start from scratch.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Here's what I've learned is the order:[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Engine >>> fusebox >>> fuse >>> isolator >>> battery | battery >>> breaker/fusebox >>> fuses >>> fridge/fan/outlet/whatever[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is that correct?[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]So ... two questions. Can i just replace the current wire coming from the 20A fuse with the appropriate gauge wire (and what would that gauge be?) and 2) What isolator should I get? I understand there are different flavors. I don't want to have to remember to shut it off. [/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Thank you all, and please forgive me for the noob qs. I have never studied electricity, except perhaps in middle school. And besides, that was in a 240V world.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]The chap I bought it off suggested taking the power from the aftermarket hitch and rerouting it. That wire is plugged into a 20A fuse in the fusebox under the seat (pic attached). I don't know what gauge that wire is. I've currently disconnected everything. including the fuse, so can start from scratch.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Here's what I've learned is the order:[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Engine >>> fusebox >>> fuse >>> isolator >>> battery | battery >>> breaker/fusebox >>> fuses >>> fridge/fan/outlet/whatever[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is that correct?[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]So ... two questions. Can i just replace the current wire coming from the 20A fuse with the appropriate gauge wire (and what would that gauge be?) and 2) What isolator should I get? I understand there are different flavors. I don't want to have to remember to shut it off. [/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Thank you all, and please forgive me for the noob qs. I have never studied electricity, except perhaps in middle school. And besides, that was in a 240V world.[/font]