Single main + cable to a Anderson plug

[Ed..]

Originally Posted by OzRick25

I run a single + and short earth for a rear dual battery in a jk however I also put a separate body earth on the main battery.

I wouldn't earth it to the exterior of the vehicle because I think that the termination would suffer corrosion.

On my WK2 Overland the battery is under the drivers seat so there are two take off points under the bonnet for the booster cables to connect to if required, so the body is earthed good and proper and it should be quite easy to ensure that my neg connection to the tow bar or wherever is kept corrosion proof.

[imaz]

You can use the battery neg terminal or you can ground it at the same location where the battery neg is. It is literally just there on the body like 20cm from the battery

[SnakeDoctor]

Pretty sure the auto elec who did the work on mine recently just used body earths.

I was surprised but there you go.

[Hoogz]

I have mine using the body as an earth. I haven't had any real problems. Although I did have to increase my circuit breaker from a 50amp to a 80amp as it keep tripping. I have had it that way for few years now.

[SouthernComfort]

Originally Posted by Ed..

Thanks for all the replies guys, I contacted 2 auto electricians this morning and they both said that they all go back to the battery but the only reason they do it that way is to ensure a good earth, so looks like if I can get a good earth then there is no other reason why I can't just earth the neg to the body which most likely will be via the tow bar.

That connection should be easy enough to test so looks like I will do it that way as a single cable should be much easier to route through, now just have to work out how to get the cable through to the back and under to the tow bar.

I have a length of single 10mm2 cable, a 50A circuit breaker and a couple of Anderson plugs laying around in the shed so can now put them to good use. My reason for it is mainly for the air compressor and to a much lesser extent, to powering a electric/hydraulic brake system if I ever get around to towing a big trailer.

Cheers

Running a double cable won't be any more difficult than a single if it is properly sheathed. ANY such cable running under the car should be encased in a cable sheath/conduit, not doing so is asking for trouble. The last thing you want is a live + getting nicked or snagged under there. In fact the sheath should carry the cables along the entire run end to end.

[Ed..]

Originally Posted by Hoogz

I have mine using the body as an earth. I haven't had any real problems. Although I did have to increase my circuit breaker from a 50amp to a 80amp as it keep tripping. I have had it that way for few years now.

What device do you have connected to it, surge current can sometimes overload a circuit breaker but a 50A breaker should take care of most things such as a compressor and so forth. Although having said that there are different types of circuit breakers which react slower before switching off to compensate for surge.

[Ed..]

Originally Posted by SouthernComfort

The last thing you want is a live + getting nicked or snagged under there. In fact the sheath should carry the cables along the entire run end to end.

I had that happen to me when I first got my licence and was doing up a car, put on a set of driving lights and went in through the hole in the firewall, didn't put a fuse in, pulled up at the lights and the positive wire shorted and the whole front of the car filled up with smoke, it was interesting to say the least, never did that again.