[C320-list] new subject: overcurrent protection

[Jamie Pett]

I have been following the 'battery box' discussion, and have a
tangential question for the list - I recently installed a new Xantrex 40
amp charger, and in the course of learning a bit about 12 v. dc systems
have discovered that overcurrent protection (fused connections) should
be used on virtually all DC circuits to  prevent a dead ground which can
start a fire.

My battery set-up does not appear to have any in-line fuses anywhere.  

Does the panel act as a 'breaker' in any way for the dc circuits ? Even
if it does, it seems there should be fuses at the batteries in any event
- I have a house bank of (4) group 27's in parallel on the #1 switch
(about 360 aH total) and a group 24 starting on the #2

I understand the original setup was (2) 4-d batteries, and the PO
presumably changed this.  I do not know how to install fuses, or where
they should be in my setup - at each battery positive (5 fuses?), at the
beginning and end of each bank only, etc. ?  Also, how do you size the
fuse  ?

Any input appreciated.

Jamie Pett
Bella Luna
#614