highrolla7
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Post by highrolla7 on Jan 29, 2016 7:59:41 GMT -8
Have my 71 Shasta 16SC gutted in rear and now making sure my wiring and everything is good to go before insulating and wood interior panels. My question is, I have 14awg wiring as the main wire coming in to the trailer, and that goes to a 2 place breaker panel- (1) 15 amp breaker, the other spot is empty. I have the white 14 gauge wire throughout. My plan is to put a higher amperage breaker there for a window ac unit and do the mobiletec ac in the closet, as seen in his great videos. I plan on a 5000-8000 btu air conditioning unit- I could just run a long wire to the outlet at the campsites but would like to wire directly to the empty breaker and have 1 plug for all 110 in the trailer. What did some of you use for a breaker and will 14 awg wire work? Im sure I have 14 running through my house and used a window ac before and worked, but want to confirm before buttoning everything up.
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Post by vikx on Jan 30, 2016 20:16:42 GMT -8
You will need to upgrade your wiring. 14ga will not carry the amperage to add a breaker.
1. Install a 30 amp Marinco or Furrion Inlet. Run 10/2 Romex to the breaker box as a main wire. This gives you a 30 amp service. Another way to do this is run a 30 amp cord into the breaker box. Keep in mind that the trailer MUST be powered by a 30 amp receptacle to gain amperage. Using an adapter will drop the whole trailer down to 15 amps.
2. The original 15 amp circuit can be left as is, with 14 ga wiring.
3. Install a 20 amp breaker and wire with 12/2 Romex to the A/C outlet in the closet. Use a 20 amp receptacle as well.
The differences in houses and trailers are many, from your mains to the size of the load center. Yes, a small A/C will work in a house because it has many circuits and large supply(main) wires. In other words, a A/C will work in the house because it is on a different circuit from most other appliances, the kitchen is run on two different circuits and wherever you plug in the A/C is on a another. Most houses today are a minimum of 100 amps, many 200+. Hope this makes sense...
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highrolla7
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Post by highrolla7 on Jan 31, 2016 20:53:57 GMT -8
wow, great info! im reading up on this and getting my shopping list ready. thanks!
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Post by bigbill on Feb 1, 2016 16:44:10 GMT -8
Research it well and make sure you get all of the ground wires hooked up right, a trailer doesn't wire like a house.
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Post by vikx on Feb 1, 2016 20:38:31 GMT -8
Bill is correct. The ground wires are always isolated from the white common wires in a trailer. Here is a small box showing correct wiring:  |
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highrolla7
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Post by highrolla7 on Feb 3, 2016 9:06:49 GMT -8
Sounds great! Quick question; I am planning on replacing the main 14-3 gauge wire that goes into the camper, up to the breaker box. When you say 30 amp wire, would that be considered 12-3, 12-2- Im assuming 12-3 for the ground, but Im no electrician (well I can do house electric, trailers seem to be different). I will then connect 12-2 wire from the breaker box with a 20 amp breaker and the correct receptacle in the closet for the ac unit.
I used 10-2 for 220 volt in my garage for heavy duty units like heaters and air compressors. I am planning on running a window ac unit, 110v and 5000 BTU. On the right page?
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Post by vikx on Feb 3, 2016 23:14:08 GMT -8
30 amps = 10 gauge Romex, 10/2 with ground. I recommend buying a basic house wiring guide. It will tell you wire sizes, length of runs, products to use, etc. It really helped me way back in the covered wagon days... Be safe.
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highrolla7
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Post by highrolla7 on Feb 4, 2016 8:42:11 GMT -8
Perfect! I have some 10-2 due to wiring up my garage with 2 220v heaters, which is housing my Shasta so I can work throughout the winter. I'll be posting some pics of the restore shortly.
Thanks again!
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