12V DC Distro Panel — Anderson SB50 + Powerpole Hub + USB-C PD (100W)
Ultra-efficient DC distribution for lights, routers, radios, and laptops. All fused. All tidy. No drama.
What You’re Building
SB50 main feed (50A class)
Fuse block 6–12 circuits
USB-C PD 100W
≤60A total continuous
This panel turns a 12V battery (or your 2kW station’s 12V rail) into neat, fused branches and a 100W USB-C PD port.
Safety
- Main fuse at the source. Place the 60–80A MIDI/ANL near the battery positive.
- Polarity discipline. Verify with a meter before landing wires.
- Branch fuses. Size to the smaller of wire ampacity or device draw.
- Strain relief and grommets on all pass-throughs.
Parts
- Anderson SB50 housings + contacts (6–10 AWG)
- MIDI/ANL fuse + holder 60–80A (main)
- Master DC breaker/toggle 50–60A
- Positive & negative bus bars ≥100A
- Blade fuse block, 6–12 pos.
- Powerpole shells + contacts (15/30/45A)
- USB-C PD 100W module (12V input)
- Volt/Amp meter (shunt-type) or inline watt meter
- Wire: 6 AWG main, 10–12 AWG branches, 14–18 AWG light loads
- Ring/fork terminals, Powerpole contacts
- Heat-shrink, braided sleeve, cable glands
- Panel/case, hardware, labels
- Crimper set, multimeter, heat gun
Layout Snapshot
Battery + → [60–80A MIDI/ANL @ source] → SB50 IN → Master (50–60A) → + Bus
Battery – ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────→ – Bus
+ Bus → [Fuse Block] → (5–30A) → Powerpoles (devices)
+ Bus → (10A) → USB-C PD 100W module → USB-C port(s)
+ Bus → (5A) → Meter/LEDs
– Bus → all returns
(Shunt, if used, sits between SB50 – and – Bus)
Build Steps
- Backbone: SB50 → Master breaker → + Bus. SB50 – → shunt → – Bus.
- Fuse block: Jump from + Bus; land each branch on its own fuse.
- Powerpoles: Crimp contacts, snap shells, label each port (e.g., Router 10A).
- USB-C PD: 10A fused feed from + Bus; return to – Bus; mount panel USB-C.
- Meter: Wire shunt sense leads, mount display; verify polarity arrows on shunt.
- Dress: Heat-shrink, strain relief, grommets; labels on everything.
- Test: Master OFF → continuity check. Master ON → idle voltage. Add loads one-by-one.
Typical Fusing & Wire
| Branch | Fuse | Wire (≤1 m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Router/LTE/AP | 5–10A | 16–14 AWG | Steady 8–20W typical |
| LED bars | 10–15A | 14 AWG | Two bars @ 5A each |
| Cooler/Compressor | 20–30A | 12–10 AWG | Start surge allowed |
| 12V pump | 15–20A | 14–12 AWG | Short intermittent duty |
| USB-C PD 100W | 10A | 14–12 AWG | 20V×5A max delivery |
Size fuses to protect the smallest link: the wire or the device—whichever is lower.
Pro Tips
- Keep branch runs short; 12V hates long skinny wires.
- Use E-Marker USB-C cables for reliable 100W PD.
- Bundle spares: fuses, Powerpole shells/contacts, one SB50 lead.