balance94
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Post by balance94 on Jan 13, 2016 8:12:40 GMT -8
Hello. Great forum! Happy to have found you guys. Hoping someone can help with this question...
I have a '51 Silver Streak Clipper I am restoring. Wiring is only 110 AC...about 4 lights, 2 outlets, and a refrigerator is the original load. No sub panel, just an exterior recessed male connector to juice the trailer. Given the age of the wiring system I'm considering changing the lighting from AC service to DC, using the old wiring. My thinking is that it would be safer to downgrade to lower voltage and lower-wattage lights rather than dismantle the entire trailer interior to re-wire it. Here's how I would do it:
1. Pull all the AC fixtures and outlets and replace with LED lights and 12V receptacles 2. Set a new electrical panel with DC converter and new 30A Furion SP inlet. Connect the former AC supply leads to the DC bus of the converter, limiting it to a 15A fuse. 3. Run new 12ga wire under GFI for galley AC appliances (can hide that wiring in the cabinet in flex conduit).
Any reason I shouldn't do this? Any considerations I'm missing? Thanks. |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jan 13, 2016 8:34:35 GMT -8
We did something similar with Our little Compact. If by DC converter, you mean one that will allow you to run a laptop, charge a phone, etc from a standard 110 plug, yes, it'll work fine. I lived in Hamlet through two winters and up to the end of November this year. I had a lim I space heater that worked even when the electricity was out as it drew from the battery that was converted to 110. It worked just fine. All the rest of our lights are LED and on the 12 volt, except for the gas one. Good luck!
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Jan 13, 2016 9:25:16 GMT -8
Hamlet, could you tell us more about that space heater please.
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Post by vikx on Jan 13, 2016 22:13:24 GMT -8
Because of the age of the wiring, I'm not sure it is good to use it, even for 12 volt fixtures. DC can still short out/cause problems. My experience with the early 50s trailers has been knob and tube, with cloth wrapped wiring.
I like to keep my vintage 110 lighting but that is up to you. Every trailer needs outlets, so plan ahead where you will need them. A 30 amp inlet is enough to support your needs. Go with a new 110 breaker box and all new 110 wiring. A converter can run your DC items, including lighting but again, new wiring.
Of course a battery (on the tongue or in a sealed vented compartment) is a must for a 12 volt system. It provides power when off grid and acts as a buffer for the system.
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balance94
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Post by balance94 on Jan 14, 2016 6:02:37 GMT -8
Ok, thanks for the quick responses and perspectives. Yeah, looks like "knob-and-tube" type cloth conductor, hot and common only. Yes, definitely planning a battery inboard in a vented box. And I was referring to a modern RV electrical panel that has an integral DC conversion unit (Progressive Dynamics PD4000).
I think I'll pull all the fixtures and take ground readings on each segment to judge the integrity of the wires. If they're in good shape I'll re-purpose each of the 2 wires as a separate DC supply line--each supplying only LED lighting and maybe a cigarette lighter receptacle or two---but each with a 5A fuse, and ground the loads locally to the coach. That would be a serious downgrade of the current conductor. I'll post back what I find.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 16, 2016 20:19:50 GMT -8
I've done it on almost every trailer I have worked on.
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balance94
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Post by balance94 on Jan 31, 2016 18:06:51 GMT -8
Awesome.  Thanks very much for perspective. |
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Dad Rambles
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Post by Dad Rambles on Apr 15, 2016 6:41:21 GMT -8
I've done it on almost every trailer I have worked on. I was actually thinking about this while watching one of your videos the other night. Is there a preferred light that you use that will retro fit easily into a 11) socket, that's 12V, or is there an easy way to do this without modifying the vintage light too much (at least visually) I would like to make all of my 110 lights in my build 12V LED if possible... even the Gas lamp (I think). |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 15, 2016 16:09:33 GMT -8
I've done it on almost every trailer I have worked on. I was actually thinking about this while watching one of your videos the other night. Is there a preferred light that you use that will retro fit easily into a 11) socket, that's 12V, or is there an easy way to do this without modifying the vintage light too much (at least visually) I would like to make all of my 110 lights in my build 12V LED if possible... even the Gas lamp (I think). You can buy 12vdc incandescent bulbs in 25 and 50 watt power ratings. They look just like regular bulbs and fit exactly the same. I don't really like LED light so I have no experience with them. You can get the DC bulbs at Home Depot or any RV store. |
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Thanks very much for perspective. 
