12 Volt Color Code

[wil01]

Does anyone know the normal Newmar 12 volt wiring color code?

I'm particularly interested in the color of the coach ground wire for lights, etc?

I know it is safest to test the circuit with an multimeter, but I'm interested if Newmar has a standard.

Thanks!
Wil

[Luv2go]

In our coach, Newmar coach wires like interior lights are generally white for ground, colors for 12V. For chassis wiring like clearance lights, etc, ground may not be white, but they usually go the the frame somewhere so should be relatively easy to identify.

[shiggs68]

Something around 2009 the RVIA standardized Low Voltage RV wiring to more closely match the NEC high voltage codes. White being negative and any other color being positive. Chassis is not longer used, individual negative wire is run to each device.

The automotive wiring follows the standards of the chassis manufacture with each being different. Some even use all black with numbers printed on the wire. And like the RVIA, the chassis is never used for circuit returns. Battery negative may be connected to the chassis but individual returns are run to each device. Rusty frame wires are no longer a problem.


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TravellingRVDoctor, LLC

[Luv2go]

Originally Posted by shiggs68

Something around 2009 .... Chassis is not longer used, individual negative wire is run to each device. .... And like the RVIA, the chassis is never used for circuit returns. Battery negative may be connected to the chassis but individual returns are run to each device. Rusty frame wires are no longer a problem.


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TravellingRVDoctor, LLC

Nice to know they changed their ways. I definitely have chassis wiring grounds and also the electric step wiring grounds run through the chassis (just dealt with a rusty frame wire when rebuilding the steps last year)

[wil01]

Thanks! It seems that my 2007 Kountry Star follows the new white negative with individual negative return wires.

It's just something us old timers must get used to. It does make things complicated when trying to connect a new item to an existing circuit.

This issue came up while installing a TPMS repeater to an existing 12 volt coach circuit. The repeater follows the red positive and black negative scheme that is common with chassis wiring.

My Newmar circuit seems to have a black positive and white negative. This new connection is going to look very strange with black connected to red and white connected to black. But progress moves on!

I'll use a meter tomorrow to verify everything.

Thanks again!
Good Luck!
Wil

[shiggs68]

Originally Posted by Luv2go

Nice to know they changed their ways. I definitely have chassis wiring grounds and also the electric step wiring grounds run through the chassis (just dealt with a rusty frame wire when rebuilding the steps last year)

Yes, while most things now use an individual ground or return wire, the RV manufactures still cheat and use the frame in some cases, especially for higher power items. Also, many after original items are incorrectly installed due to the old school understandings.


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[shiggs68]

I may have mis-stated the date, it may be 2005. Point is, there is now a standard that many old schoolers don't know or follow.


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TravellingRVDoctor, LLC

["007"]

Newmar colors of 12v wiring can be found in QT's # 3 for fusing and wiring.

[wil01]

Thank you 007! That's just what I needed.

Good Luck!
Wil