kc
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1959 Shasta
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Post by kc on Jul 14, 2014 6:26:20 GMT -8
Fortunately I have already learned here not to be afraid to ask stupid questions, and many of mine have been answered without making fun of me which I appreciate. So here is my next one.
Doing the wiring on the back end of our 59 Shasta and kind of wondering how to go about this. So I want to make sure all is grounded well, especially since I may end up with LED taillights/running lights, just have not ordered yet. So that means I have:
Left streetside running light: One brown wire, one white wire (ground) Right curbside running light: One brown wire, one white wire (ground) License Plate light SS running light: One brown wire, one white wire (ground) Left streetside Tail light: One brown wire, one white wire (ground) and one yellow wire (Left turn) Right streetside Tail light: One brown wire, one white wire (ground) and one green wire (Right Turn)
So this means I have 5 brown wires that all need to join together and 5 white wires that all need to come together. What is the best way to do this to isolate it down to one wire? The white ground will be grounded at the back end somewhere, and then the brown will need to run up front to the controller, along with the green and yellow....
Any thoughts would be appreciated, just want to make this easy on myself....
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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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Post by John Palmer on Jul 14, 2014 8:51:53 GMT -8
You not going to like it, but my thoughts are NEVER to wire "any travel trailer" using the four wire color code system!
It may be OK for a small jet ski trailer, but we have a much more detailed electrical system on a travel trailer with a battery charging system and possible electric brakes, etc.
PLEASE just use the seven way plug system that has been the trailer industry standard for the past fifty years. It will start the wiring at the plug with a color code that is NOT the same as your four wire example. Just use the same gauge, and same "marked colors" from the plug to each accessory. Do not use the four wire that you buy at Harbor Freight. Basically don't rethink it, just MAKE IT SIMPLE by following the industry standard system!
WHITE 10GA AND 14GA COMMON GROUND
BLUE 12GA ELECTRIC BRAKES GREEN 14GA TAIL AND LICENSE LIGHTS BLACK 10GA BATTERY CHARGE RED 14GA LEFT TURN AND STOP BROWN 14GA RIGHT TURN AND STOP YELLOW 14GA ACCESSORY, LIKELY NOT USED
Just think about the next guy that has to work on the trailer twenty years from now, he will really appreciate finding the same color wire was used on each circuit from one end of the trailer, to the other. |
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kc
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1959 Shasta
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Post by kc on Jul 14, 2014 9:23:48 GMT -8
You not going to like it, but my thoughts are NEVER to wire "any travel trailer" using the four wire color code system!
It may be OK for a small jet ski trailer, but we have a much more detailed electrical system on a travel trailer with a battery charging system and possible electric brakes, etc.
PLEASE just use the seven way plug system that has been the trailer industry standard for the past fifty years. It will start the wiring at the plug with a color code that is NOT the same as your four wire example. Just use the same gauge, and same "marked colors" from the plug to each accessory. Do not use the four wire that you buy at Harbor Freight. Basically don't rethink it, just MAKE IT SIMPLE by following the industry standard system!
WHITE 10GA AND 14GA COMMON GROUND
BLUE 12GA ELECTRIC BRAKES GREEN 14GA TAIL AND LICENSE LIGHTS BLACK 10GA BATTERY CHARGE RED 14GA LEFT TURN AND STOP BROWN 14GA RIGHT TURN AND STOP YELLOW 14GA ACCESSORY, LIKELY NOT USED
Just think about the next guy that has to work on the trailer twenty years from now, he will really appreciate finding the same color wire was used on each circuit from one end of the trailer, to the other. John -
Love t o, but I bought a 7 that is yellow/green/brown white/ wire included, so there ya go.
But still, thanks for the thoughts but still looking for an answer to my question?
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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.
Posts: 1,631
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Post by John Palmer on Jul 14, 2014 9:43:41 GMT -8
You not going to like it, but my thoughts are NEVER to wire "any travel trailer" using the four wire color code system!
It may be OK for a small jet ski trailer, but we have a much more detailed electrical system on a travel trailer with a battery charging system and possible electric brakes, etc.
PLEASE just use the seven way plug system that has been the trailer industry standard for the past fifty years. It will start the wiring at the plug with a color code that is NOT the same as your four wire example. Just use the same gauge, and same "marked colors" from the plug to each accessory. Do not use the four wire that you buy at Harbor Freight. Basically don't rethink it, just MAKE IT SIMPLE by following the industry standard system!
WHITE 10GA AND 14GA COMMON GROUND
BLUE 12GA ELECTRIC BRAKES GREEN 14GA TAIL AND LICENSE LIGHTS BLACK 10GA BATTERY CHARGE RED 14GA LEFT TURN AND STOP BROWN 14GA RIGHT TURN AND STOP YELLOW 14GA ACCESSORY, LIKELY NOT USED
Just think about the next guy that has to work on the trailer twenty years from now, he will really appreciate finding the same color wire was used on each circuit from one end of the trailer, to the other. John -
Love t o, but I bought a 7 that is yellow/green/brown white/ wire included, so there ya go.
But still, thanks for the thoughts but still looking for an answer to my question?
Sounds like you bought a FOUR WAY flat plug, not a SEVEN WAY plug. When, or if, you ever need to upgrade the trailer for brakes, or a battery charge, you will need to rewire it, and the wire will all be under the skin. Just makes so much sense to do it only one time.
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kc
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1959 Shasta
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Post by kc on Jul 14, 2014 10:15:50 GMT -8
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Jul 14, 2014 12:41:09 GMT -8
Pigtail.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 14, 2014 13:51:21 GMT -8
If you are talking about splicing all the different lights together in to one feed line I like to solder each joint and protect it with heat shrink tubing.
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kc
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Post by kc on Jul 14, 2014 14:01:44 GMT -8
Thanks Bill, Thanks Susie.
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Post by vikx on Jul 14, 2014 22:39:40 GMT -8
John is absolutely correct on the 7 way wiring code. Please use it. If you look at the colors STAMPED INTO THE PLASTIC on a good quality 7 way plug, the code is there...
The 4 way ribbon can be used. Just substitute green for Running/Tail Lights and Brown for Right Turn. Yellow goes to RED: Left turn.
I connect the wires in a junction box at the back of the trailer. Everything comes into the box, repairs and testing are easy. Wing nuts used for the connections.
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pam
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Post by pam on Aug 24, 2014 23:17:10 GMT -8
Thanks for the words of wisdom on the 7 way plug system! Since my experience with electrical wiring is ..... um.....er.....zero, I have called in my brother-in-law for back up help on this job. My concern was that he might have ideas of his own on "a better way" to do the wiring. In order to short-circuit that discussion, I plan to print out your clear and simple guide and stand my ground. I've got my little 13' "project" down to the frame, after completely replacing the sub-floor and framing in a new roof, I'm moving forward. I've reattached the skin in the areas where wiring will be a factor (running lights, front and back lights) as a guide. You not going to like it, but my thoughts are NEVER to wire "any travel trailer" using the four wire color code system!
It may be OK for a small jet ski trailer, but we have a much more detailed electrical system on a travel trailer with a battery charging system and possible electric brakes, etc.
PLEASE just use the seven way plug system that has been the trailer industry standard for the past fifty years. It will start the wiring at the plug with a color code that is NOT the same as your four wire example. Just use the same gauge, and same "marked colors" from the plug to each accessory. Do not use the four wire that you buy at Harbor Freight. Basically don't rethink it, just MAKE IT SIMPLE by following the industry standard system!
WHITE 10GA AND 14GA COMMON GROUND
BLUE 12GA ELECTRIC BRAKES GREEN 14GA TAIL AND LICENSE LIGHTS BLACK 10GA BATTERY CHARGE RED 14GA LEFT TURN AND STOP BROWN 14GA RIGHT TURN AND STOP YELLOW 14GA ACCESSORY, LIKELY NOT USED
Just think about the next guy that has to work on the trailer twenty years from now, he will really appreciate finding the same color wire was used on each circuit from one end of the trailer, to the other. |
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steve
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Post by steve on Aug 29, 2014 7:38:09 GMT -8
I just picked up a 1974 Dutch Swinger and while the 7 pin connecter looks identical to the one on my 2009 ford, it doesn't seem to want to fit... It works in other trucks just not mine. I don't want to rewire anything... have they changed the plug size?
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Post by vikx on Aug 29, 2014 10:03:25 GMT -8
Welcome Steve!
Sometimes the plugs or receptacles get worn or the poles bent, preventing them from fitting together. I had a "test" 7 way receptacle that would not accept a plug after a few years use. Switching out to a new receptacle remedied the problem.
Examine your vehicle receptacle for physical damage. It might be bent or have been crunched.. if that's the case, it's easiest to install a new receptacle.
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