On 9-May-11, at 6:27 AM, mark drillock wrote:

> I haven't opened up the panel to check the trace size for E3 either.
> Maybe it is ok.
>
> I agree that use of E3 is a much more secure way of connecting the
> feed wire. You have determined that you have a reasonable load for
> your uses. My concern is that other people may use their van
> differently. I was reacting to your conversation regarding an 8 awg
> wire to run power to the fuse panel via E3. That implies a heavier
> use than you are doing.
>
> The cig lighter socket and the radio both get power from that
> circuit and there has been a trend for both to use more power than
> VW envisioned. VW increased the size of the wire from B12 in later
> years to account for growing radio power needs.
>
> Mark

I didn't use an 8 gauge wire to E3 nor did I advise the use of one in
this thread, did I?

I doubt that the trace inside leading to E3 is thin, but that is just
my supposition based on conjecture "why would VW make a thin bit of
brass in there, it needs to be of some reasonable thickness to be
somewhat self supporting for ease of assembly"

If VW later increased wire sizes for certain points coming off the
panel, did they also increase the brass size on the inside of panel at
those points? I don't know, do you?

I have a small aux panel under driver's seat. It is connected to my
aux. battery. The panel feeds, on separate wires and separate fuses:
the kitchen, the stereo headunit, and the E3 main panel point.
http://shufti.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/aux-fuse-panel/

My stereo headunit has it's own grounding point.

alistair

>
>
>
>
> Alistair Bell wrote:
>> no I did not open up a panel to measure the size of the brass that
>> goes
>> to E3.
>>
>> The modified circuit powers the cig lighter and 4 X led festoon
>> lamps,
>> from the aux battery, in through E3. The cig lighter is used to
>> power ipod.
>>
>> The feed to E3 is fused back at an aux panel beside aux battery,
>> 15A fuse.
>>
>> I prefer this set up to a wire stuck in the lower slot of #3 fuse.
>>
>> alistair
>>
>>
>>