Qs 5.0 Battery installation help

[andya]

I recently purchased a 2007 qs 5.0 that did not have a battery installed on it when I purchased it.  But the previous owner pointed out bundled wires under the trailer around the tongue area that he said were for adding a battery.  I made an aluminum platform for the tongue and mounted a group 27 battery box to it.  Looking at the wires one is white and one is white/black.  If I follow the loom it does go back to the power converter, I am away from the camper right now, but the wires are also attached to the converter I can't remember which wires on the converter they were attached to.  It looks like these wires could be for the 2 12 volt circuits the camper has, for the plug in bunk lights and the lighter style plug.  Could someone lead me to the correct way to id if these are the correct wires to add a battery.  Or how and where to install correct wires.  We have camped the last few weekends, love the camper and how easily it tows and sets up. But it would be nice to have lights and be able to charge things in the camper at night.

[charliem]

 The first factor in confirming the wires are for the battery is the size. They should be #6 AWG. If you can get to the bare wire it should be ~0.16" diameter; with insulation it would be 3/16" to 1/4". With the camper plugged in to shore power you should be able to measure 12-14 volts DC. The white wire should be negative and the black positive. Check this carefully with a meter since correct factory assembly is not a given. 

Another consideration is charging from the tow vehicle. With the 5.0 you probably don't have electric brakes so it probably has a 4 pin electrical connector. You can have the TV charge the battery while you're driving but you'll have to add a 7 pin connector and adapt to it.

[andya]

Thank you for the prompt reply.  I will have to check it with a meter when I get home.  I did check them without it plugged to shore power thinking one may be a ground when I initially started messing with it.  But both checked open when checked from the wire to the frame of the trailer.  I am away from it right now but do suspect the wires are smaller than the .160 dia. 

[charliem]

With as little 12V wiring as the 5.0 has it may well be electrically isolated from the frame. I would tie the negative to the frame behind the converter. It will be more important if you hook to the TV for charging.

For the light loads and smaller charger on the 5.0 you can probably get away with #10AWG wires but anything smaller should be upgraded. #8 or #6 is preferable.