RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 5, 2015 17:15:15 GMT -8
OK, the 72 Shasta's lights work... sort of. A bit of flickering on the way home (ground issues I'm sure) but more or less, the running lights fore/aft and tail lights seem to work althought the right turn signal seems to flash rapidly more than blink (ground again?). Wires running up under the skins seem in good shape "but" the wires underneath the old girl appear to have 153 +2 wire nut connectors hanging in a few clumps (somebody has "fixed" the wiring before, LOL). I think I'm gonna buy a new 7 way connector and just do it right while the skins are off. Thoughts? Hey, I just need a bump here "RJ, do the right thing and buy the 20 dollar connector, some lengths of wire from Lowes, and get after it" .
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Post by bigbill on Jan 5, 2015 17:25:28 GMT -8
OK, the 72 Shasta's lights work... sort of. A bit of flickering on the way home (ground issues I'm sure) but more or less, the running lights fore/aft and tail lights seem to work althought the right turn signal seems to flash rapidly more than blink (ground again?). Wires running up under the skins seem in good shape "but" the wires underneath the old girl appear to have 153 +2 wire nut connectors hanging in a few clumps (somebody has "fixed" the wiring before, LOL). I think I'm gonna buy a new 7 way connector and just do it right while the skins are off. Thoughts? Hey, I just need a bump here "RJ, do the right thing and buy the 20 dollar connector, some lengths of wire from Lowes, and get after it" . RJ I would keep the old wiring with the 153 wire nuts and go ahead and put the trailer all back together. That way after you pulled it twenty miles and they quit working you could have the joy of taking it back apart and replacing the wires with new so that they would be dependable.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 5, 2015 17:46:56 GMT -8
Bill, there are 153 +2, thank you very much Although your recommendation is in a sick way, somewhat appealing (doing it all over again), I think I'll take the route of getting a new connector and a handfull of appropriate colored wire lengths, wire nuts, and/or shrink tubing, etc., from Lowes (like that they give old retired military cats a discout there) and doing what I know needs to be done. Geez, I could even improve the ground(s) to the frame by taking the old ground bolts off, cleaning them up, and doing it right. What are you going to tell me next... that I can save 15% or more on my car insurance by switching to Geico? Thanks for chiming in sir... that's the good natured bump I needed. RJ
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 5, 2015 18:53:52 GMT -8
With the money you save with GEICO, I'd run a second set of wires and just leave them tucked inside. It was suggested by somebody here a few months ago while I was working on our Compact.
I have the same intermittent grounding issues on our 62 Forester. When I pull it apart next summer all the wires go. I think grounding to the skin was a lame idea.
Another way to look at it...you are a vintage junkie who won't keep his campers more than a year. So why waste the money on wire???
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Jan 5, 2015 18:58:13 GMT -8
Rewire it.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 5, 2015 19:05:43 GMT -8
Another way to look at it...you are a vintage junkie who won't keep his campers more than a year. So why waste the money on wire??? Am not. I can quit anytime I want
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 5, 2015 19:15:14 GMT -8
Am not. I can quit anytime I want If you have more than one, you're a junkie. The fact that you're asking if wire is a waste of money shows you're a cheap junkie:-) Can you imagine being on your first road trip and having the lights go out? You'd want to kill yourself.
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Post by bigbill on Jan 5, 2015 19:35:57 GMT -8
Rj I like to hard wire all grounds all the way to the connector, I don't even use the frame as a conductor. I learned many years ago that if done right with all circuits hard wired. You will have dependable lights that work every time you plug them in. When you start bolting grounds to the frame you are just creating another connection that can't be sealed properly. I also like to use shrink tube that has the goop inside that creates a positive seals when it melts into the connection/splice. Cost a little more but worth it.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 5, 2015 20:48:09 GMT -8
By "connector" you mean the harness to the tow vehicle? Smart.
Are you going to also hook it up to trickle charge a battery while you're at it?
I would sure like to see photos of your wrap/tubing when you're done.
As funny as this may sound, I've wired entire houses including the fuse box but never a tow vehicle wiring harness. Very East coast...almost nobody works on a camper. Almost nobody around me owns one.
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Post by vikx on Jan 5, 2015 23:45:54 GMT -8
RJ, there are 12 steps to getting another trailer... The first is checking Craislist. More power.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 6, 2015 10:34:47 GMT -8
By "connector" you mean the harness to the tow vehicle? Smart. Are you going to also hook it up to trickle charge a battery while you're at it? I would sure like to see photos of your wrap/tubing when you're done. As funny as this may sound, I've wired entire houses including the fuse box but never a tow vehicle wiring harness. Very East coast...almost nobody works on a camper. Almost nobody around me owns one. Yes, full new 7 pin wiring harness (connector) will be installed with associated wiring ran underneath and to all the running lights, brakes, tail lights. Not gonna do a 12 volt trickle setup with tongue battery as the little Shasta only has one DC light (over the sink). I think this will be my next trailer mission once I get back in the saddle.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jan 6, 2015 15:25:52 GMT -8
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Post by bigbill on Jan 6, 2015 16:22:56 GMT -8
I buy my wire on 500 foot rolls in eight different colors, it is cheaper that way and I like having it on hand. I also buy it in 12 ga. stranded copper which is larger than required but more durable.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 6, 2015 16:35:08 GMT -8
Sweet deal! Thanks for posting that up Ten. BigBill, I'm probably not ready for 500' rolls yet but give me some time and who knows ..
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 7, 2015 4:55:05 GMT -8
The harness does seem like a good deal.
500 feet of wire does seem like a lifelong commitment.
Thanks for the link.
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