techdog
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Wiring
Jul 8, 2014 17:17:45 GMT -8
Post by techdog on Jul 8, 2014 17:17:45 GMT -8
What is the best book on wiring? I would like it to rewire a trailer or rv .
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Wiring
Jul 8, 2014 20:14:58 GMT -8
Post by John Palmer on Jul 8, 2014 20:14:58 GMT -8
I don't have a suggestion for you on a "single" book.
But consider this, on most of our trailer's you have three different electrical systems, with many variations off of the three main systems.
You have a 12 volt "exterior lighting system" for stop/turn/tail/license/clearance lights, which is just an extension of the tow vehicles lighting systems. Make sure you keep the correct seven way colors to simplify the wiring. See your tow vehicles shop service manual for details on fuse loads etc.
You will have an "interior 12 volt system" which allows for dry camping, and a source of 12 volt power for the refrigerator computer control, trailer "breakaway brake" system, Fantastic fan, and other accessories like interior, porch lights, and phone chargers, etc.
The single most important thing to remember on a 12 volt system, beside the correct wire gauge for the amp load, is to run a separate "white" ground wire of the same gauge to every accessory. Do NOT rely on the skin for a ground, like the original manufacturers did, to save a buck! Many automotive service books have good wiring, and electrical basic's sections. Just adapt the basic's to your trailer.
The third system is the 110 volt system. It comes in two versions for most of our trailers, a 15-20 amp, or a 30 amp. For the small additional cost, I feel a 30 amp is the way to go if your going to have a micro wave, or a coffee pot working at the same time. Lots of books cover 110 volt systems at the DIY section at the big box stores.
In My Opinion, each different 12 volt circuit should be done in it's own color. If you look at a seven way plug, it has an industry color standard. If you begin with these colors, then fill in your other circuits with different colors you will have a trailer wired in a way that would make it very easy for the owner fifty years from now to trouble shoot and make repairs. The only place the 110 volt and the interior 12 volt systems cross paths is at the battery maintainer which will be hard wired to the deep cycle battery.
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Wiring
Jul 8, 2014 21:32:09 GMT -8
Post by vikx on Jul 8, 2014 21:32:09 GMT -8
Thank you John! Great info. I'm moving this to our 110 electrical section...
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txoil
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1960 Shasta Deluxe 19
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Wiring
Jul 9, 2014 6:27:48 GMT -8
Post by txoil on Jul 9, 2014 6:27:48 GMT -8
John has covered it quite well! Techdog, as you decide on how you will design your trailer's electrical system, it is a VERY good idea to do an energy audit of your needs BEFORE you begin installing. List every electrical device and the amps needed to use it, arrive at a total amperage use and then design your system for 50% more than that figure. For example, in our Shasta we installed a 30 amp system with several circuits of 20 amps each, so we can drive an A/C, coffeemaker, fans, lights, computer, etc. without overburdening anything.
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