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Post by Teachndad on Jan 16, 2017 6:53:45 GMT -8
Hi Friends, In my newest trailer - probably a 1955, I opened up the fuse box. This is what I saw.  Or if you want to blow it up, here is the direct link - www.flickr.com/photos/141210059@N04/32307271376/in/datetaken-public/Why are their 2 twenty amp fuses inside this trailer. What would the need be? I know you typically expect 15 amps to be breathing through. But why so high? I expected glass fuses and was surprised to see a fuse box with trip circuit breakers. Is this typical at this age? The only things that sucks electricity in the trailer are 2 ceiling fixtures, a light fixture over the sink and one in the back where the bed is. That's it. Cheers, Rod |
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jan 16, 2017 11:36:43 GMT -8
In a '55, I wouldn't expect there to be much more than what you describe, but is there any signs of any other usages being present? Do the lights have built-in outlets in them? Two circuits is surprising enough, but two twenty amp sides seems like a lot of overkill.
Are you planning to replace this box?
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Post by Teachndad on Jan 16, 2017 22:11:58 GMT -8
Thanks Ten,
I was going to just leave it for now. I can't do anything with the electrical until the shoreline receptical is replaced to a modern version. What's under the cover is currently the 3 flat prong receptical.
Wouldn't the wires coming into the fuse box with this vintage, have a cloth casing? I saw cloth casings on the pigtails in the tail lights, but the wiring going to the pigtails has plastic casings. The fuse box shows plastic casings, but also what looks like paper inside the casing? Did someone rework the wiring?
Wait! I just realized what one of the fuses is for. I think one is for the fridge. Today, I was poking around dealing with the ceiling vent and noticed an outlet in the back of the fridge cabinet. I have no fridge in the trailer. It was removed sometime in it's history. The other fuse must be for the lights? The light bulb fixture above the sink is one of those chrome metal jobs with one bulb, but has an outlet at the base for the old two prong plugs (where both tongs are the same size).
Cheers,
Rod
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Post by kto17 on Feb 12, 2017 12:30:31 GMT -8
I'm not real  familiar with this breaker box, BUT I'm sure it is not wired correctly. please do not use this as-is and have a professional correct it. Anytime you see something incorrectly wired in your trailer. Its safe to assume its all wired wrong and needs to be checked and tested. Most likely it was blowing smaller breakers and so they put 20 amps in, which is not a safe fix. Here is what I see; There is one black "hot" and one white "neutral" coming in the box. There is one black "hot" and one white "neutral" leaving the box. Because there is no ground wire present and the outter wrap is woven, this is most likely original wiring, The three screws to the right are probably your white only "neutral bar." Your black wires "hot" should run through the breaker. One black through each breaker. That would give you two separate circuits. For the safest system you should add a ground bar and ground wires to each fixture and the frame. Sometimes you can't get to lights to add the ground wire. I choose to isolate my lights and convert them to 12V. Then install all new 110V wiring to the fridge, outlets, and AC unit. These pictures are examples from my unfinished thread on safe power. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/69/providing-safe-power-vintage-trailerYou can see how the neutral and the grounds are isolated and only the black "hot" wires run through the breakers. I hope this helps.   |
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Post by vikx on Feb 12, 2017 23:10:51 GMT -8
I agree. What you've got is a mess and needs to be checked by an expert.
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Post by Teachndad on Feb 18, 2017 8:03:01 GMT -8
Doug and Vikx,
THANK YOU for responding and voicing your concerns. I am only just seeing this. I have been really busy with other things, and my notifications aren't reaching me for some reason.
I am currently out of town and will come back to this when I am back and have a little time.
Cheers,
Rod
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Feb 18, 2017 10:07:25 GMT -8
I see some weird wiring in that box. You have a black and white from the bottom and they are connected to the hot bus for the breakers, then you have a black and white each connected to a breaker and exiting on the top. The clump of screws to the right are where the neutrals are supposed to tie together.
Edit: after thinking about it, they put a breaker on the neutral line, a big no-no.
Fusing neutral wires was common way back, but it's been outlawed since the 1920s.
So I think you only have 1 circuit. Someone with poor electrical knowledge replaced your old porcelain fuse block with this.
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