Tractor Electrical ?

[mcd176]

I have installed a 6 position fuse panel rated for 180 AMPS in my tractor to run the following:

1. Front Work Lights 55W
2. Rear Work Lights 55W
3. 3 Speed blower for heater
4. Radio
5. Dome Light
6. Empty

My question is this, what size wire should I run from my battery to the fuse block, it is around 12' from the battery to the fuse block, should I use 8 or 10 gauge?

-Mike

 

[rus_geek]

Without knowing how much power the blower/radio/dome light actually draw, it can be a tough call. To size the wire to the 180A of the fuse panel would take about 1/0 AWG over twelve feet. I'm sure that's overkill for the actual loads you're putting on. What size fuses do you have in each slot?

If you have a 5A fuse in each slot, you'll tap out at 30A and can use the 8AWG.

-rus-

 

[Soundguy]

if he's needing 180a.. he needs a nice beefy alt too!

I agree on the 8awg.. 4 if he had some sustained loads like a inverter.

soundguy

 

[mcd176]

I do not need 180A, I was just telling you all that it is a 6 pos, fuse block rated for up to 180 Amps.

Thanks for the advice guys, I will go with the 8 Ga.

-Mike

 

[roamrdb]

if i understand what you said correctly, you are going to run an 8 ga wire from the battery to the fuse panel with a run of 12 ft. the 8 ga wire needs some kind of fusible device as close to the battery as possible. if not fused thats a sure fire starter if it ever shorts to ground ,which is not an unlikely scenario on a tractor.

 

[mjncad]

Mike:

Attached is the wiring diagram I did for my modifications. Maybe this will help with yours too. For better or for worse, I mounted the main fuse near the fuse panel. I can always move it if need be.

Note, I don't claim to be an electrical expert...I just have enough knowledge to make it work or be dangerous depending on one's point of view.

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[mcd176]

Thanks guys, I wasn't thinking about the inline fuse untill you mentioned it, that could have been real bad!!

Mjn,

Excellent drawing, I will have to steal some ideas from it, thanks again for your help.

-Mike

 

[mjncad]

You're welcome Mike.

 

[pat32rf]

Whatever size you use, just make sure that it is the flexible type, not the normal 7 strand building wire...and fuse it

 

[ldabe]

JJ,
Do you have any other info, if someone wanted to purchase one?