Adding New Fuse block to Westy Control Panel-Batt or Rectifier?

[beetlepete]

Morning. Am ready to rewire bus that just came back from the body shop. As we do most camping off grid, I am adding a Blue Sea 6 spade fuse block to the front of bus. This will now handle:

Radio
Amps
Waterpump
Fluorescent Lamp
Clock
USB Charging Stations

My goal, with a kid that likes to read at night and use their phone at the same time, is to reassign most if not all electrical systems that are used to camp, to the House Battery.

My original plan was to run a single wire from the House to the new fuse block. But when we are at a site with Shore Power does it make more sense to utilize the rectifier. Who's only job is to run the fridge and charge the House.

So reviewing the Current Flow Diagram, found in Literature - 78 Westfalia Repair Manual, I could spade jump off of the thru side of switch E2, the BATTERY/CITY POWER switch. So if we had 120v on site all our camp stuff would run off rectifier.

QUESTIONS does it really matter? Are there current draw issues on the control panel?

The rectifier was replaced by a modern IOTA unit with venting, and I will wire with no larger then 12 gauge wire as there is no voltage drop issues at those length.

Thanks for your help
_________________
Beetlepete
79 Westfalia Deluxe, Mexico Beige

[telford dorr]

I would wire to the house battery. If on shore power, the battery will be charged by the shore powered charger. As long as the power draw by the new fuse block is less than what the charger can provide, then effectively everything on the new fuse block will run off of the charger.

Don't skimp on the main feeder wire. I'd use #8 AWG. You never know what will eventually be hooked up to the new fuse block...
_________________
'71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST)

[beetlepete]

Thank you for the input. It would be a much simpler wire job to boot.
_________________
Beetlepete
79 Westfalia Deluxe, Mexico Beige