Post by jardin on Sept 1, 2017 15:32:32 GMT -8
Hello Everyone,
Been working on my trailer since May and getting closer to closing her up to put the new metal on. I must say overall I am enjoying the process but it sure is one of those things where you were right on planning for it to cost twice as much (or more) and take twice as long as you think.
Anyway, I think I am posting this in the right spot but feel free to move it where it needs to be Vikx. I have searched through and read every thread I can about the subject but it always seems to leave questions unanswered. I am familiar with wiring household electrical but I know there are some difference when it come to trailers and older components so I thought it better to ask some questions.
First off, my wife and I use very little electric when camping. Charge a phone or two and run a light here and there. However, we wanted to have forethought in wiring this ol gal for a potential sale to a slightly needier owner down the road if we should sell her. We also wanted the ability to add a 12V / Solar set up for our future use as our teardrop we sold to get this trailer had a simple one battery set up with a 30 watt panel that did just fine for us. Our teardrop had a fantastic fan and though we only used it twice in our many travels it was quite nice when needed.
So, I have the skin off and looked over all the wire and it looks just fine. Solid 14 gauge wire (one blue one white), No scorched sites, no cracks, nothing to note ....looked way better than I expected as I expected to have to replace it all. There are two lights (each with two prong plug) and one outlet (two prong). Everything was wired with a positive and a neutral. No dedicated ground wire. Up front there was one glass fuse.
So I ran a ground wire (green) throughout, Changed the outlet to a 3 prong and then added a positive and negative for the potential Fantastic fan in the future. I plan to run one more 3 prong outlet under the dinette bed.
Here are my questions:
How do I properly ground the original light fixtures?
From what I can tell the fantastic fans are 12V and only need two wires. Is this correct or do I need a dedicated ground going up there?
So being that we are dealing with 14 Gauge wire we are looking at a straight up 15 amp set up. Anyone know of a good replacement for the shore power plug that does not cost $74 at VTS and is not just an ugly plastic?
Is it reasonable to think that when we finally finish all the other work and recoup some savings (that seems like joke at this point) we can then add on a 12V / solar set up to run through the same wiring without having to lift skins again? Or what would we need to do to be able to do this at a later date?
Am I missing something important here?
If I ever find some time have the intention to share some photos etc. Right now between the small farm we run and this project I seem to have no time at all as we have a deadline of Oct 1 to be at least useable and mobile, that is pretty firm....
Thanks in advance everyone you are all so helpful!
Been working on my trailer since May and getting closer to closing her up to put the new metal on. I must say overall I am enjoying the process but it sure is one of those things where you were right on planning for it to cost twice as much (or more) and take twice as long as you think.
Anyway, I think I am posting this in the right spot but feel free to move it where it needs to be Vikx. I have searched through and read every thread I can about the subject but it always seems to leave questions unanswered. I am familiar with wiring household electrical but I know there are some difference when it come to trailers and older components so I thought it better to ask some questions.
First off, my wife and I use very little electric when camping. Charge a phone or two and run a light here and there. However, we wanted to have forethought in wiring this ol gal for a potential sale to a slightly needier owner down the road if we should sell her. We also wanted the ability to add a 12V / Solar set up for our future use as our teardrop we sold to get this trailer had a simple one battery set up with a 30 watt panel that did just fine for us. Our teardrop had a fantastic fan and though we only used it twice in our many travels it was quite nice when needed.
So, I have the skin off and looked over all the wire and it looks just fine. Solid 14 gauge wire (one blue one white), No scorched sites, no cracks, nothing to note ....looked way better than I expected as I expected to have to replace it all. There are two lights (each with two prong plug) and one outlet (two prong). Everything was wired with a positive and a neutral. No dedicated ground wire. Up front there was one glass fuse.
So I ran a ground wire (green) throughout, Changed the outlet to a 3 prong and then added a positive and negative for the potential Fantastic fan in the future. I plan to run one more 3 prong outlet under the dinette bed.
Here are my questions:
How do I properly ground the original light fixtures?
From what I can tell the fantastic fans are 12V and only need two wires. Is this correct or do I need a dedicated ground going up there?
So being that we are dealing with 14 Gauge wire we are looking at a straight up 15 amp set up. Anyone know of a good replacement for the shore power plug that does not cost $74 at VTS and is not just an ugly plastic?
Is it reasonable to think that when we finally finish all the other work and recoup some savings (that seems like joke at this point) we can then add on a 12V / solar set up to run through the same wiring without having to lift skins again? Or what would we need to do to be able to do this at a later date?
Am I missing something important here?
If I ever find some time have the intention to share some photos etc. Right now between the small farm we run and this project I seem to have no time at all as we have a deadline of Oct 1 to be at least useable and mobile, that is pretty firm....
Thanks in advance everyone you are all so helpful!