Need Electrical Suggestions

[Archive]

I have had an Espar heater on my truck for the past three winters but they have all been mild compared to this one. After the Espar runs for two hours at below zero temps I can sure tell the drain on the batteries when I crank it. I would like to mount an auxillary battery under the passenger side bed and run the Espar (and camper in season) off of this battery. I assume I need a battery isolater of at least 135 amps. What size cable and what size circuit breaker do I need to use? The other issue is the Espar supplies the trucks heater blower with power. (20 amp fused and uses a relay) When the truck key is turned on the truck will also feed the blower motor. Is this a potential problem because of the unequal charges of the batteries? How can I get around this? I was thinking of a normally closed relay that would open the Espars circuit when the key is turned. Is there a normally closed set of contacts in a relay or does it take a special relay to do this? Any advise and reccomendations would be greatly appreciated.

... ... Kim

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'98 12-valve CC 2500 4x4 5-speed,Espar Heater,
Ultimate Bedliner, Turnover Gooseneck Hitch,
Bright-Box, Rancho RS9000
Combo Gage

 

[Archive]

For 135 amps, #1 copper wire should be used and a breaker rated around 150 amps should do the trick.

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[Archive]

Kim,unless you run the Espar while driving it seems that the relay wouldn't be nessary,the blower switch in the cab and the blower sw on the Espar would have to be on at the same time for crossover,even if they are for a short period it shouldn't cause a problem. As far as the breaker,I'd just use a fuseable link past the isolator,it will be much cheaper.

[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 12-19-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by illflem:
Kim,unless you run the Espar while driving

Thanks for the replys. I do run with the Espar running untill the engine is up to operating temperature, then I shut it down unless its reeeeally cold. Do you know if relays come with a normally closed set of contacts?
Do you know of a good internet site for ordering such goodies?

Kim





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'98 12-valve CC 2500 4x4 5-speed,Espar Heater,
Ultimate Bedliner, Turnover Gooseneck Hitch,
Bright-Box, Rancho RS9000
Combo Gage