120V cable in the wall - where?

[Almot]

Travel trailer, not 5-er. Aluminum siding, 1/2 plywood interior. Need to attach a few things inside so there is a matter of not hitting the cable.

The power hookup is near the rear end on the driver's side. Then it goes through the walls to receptacle in front bedroom (driver's side), then around the front and to receptacle in the bedroom on the right (passenger) side.

I opened this front (passenger) receptacle, cable branch is coming from the bottom to receptacle (likely from wire nuts), and another branch is coming from the bottom and goes through the stud towards the rear end where there are 2 more receptacles (same passenger side). It has to go around a small window about 1ft from receptacle (few inches above), then around the door. WHICH WAY does it "usually" go, above the window and door or below? . I have cut the bottom black tarp in front of the door (coroplast sheets have been missing for long time) - cable is not under the floor. Above the door and then down again, then? And what about the bedroom window - above or below?

Stud finder is of limited use, it can see the wires but not when there are studs and god knows what else (occasional 1/2" plywood in some places maybe). I could of course cut 12x12" hole in interior plywood and then glue it back.

Another question 5-6" of the wall below ceiling feels like 2x6 board, interior ply doesn't give. But I doubt this is 2x6, I suspect 1/2" ply inside and 120V wires. Stud finder doesn't see 2x6 there, it shows 1" structural element just below the ceiling.

[RVfixit]

There are two types of wall finders; a stud finder which you stated you have and a wall scanner. You need to use a wall scanner to find electrical wiring and other things. Below is a link to Amazon with a sample of what I am talking about. I think this will be more useful to you than a simple stud finder is.

https://www.amazon.com/Zircon-MultiScanner-Electronic-Detector-Detection/dp/B09CVCZD1W/?th=1

RV wiring is hit or miss. You can often follow where lights and things are in the walls but its still an educated guess.

Good Luck and Safe Travels!

[US1]

I use a non contact voltage detector to trace live wires inside walls. I think it was $20ish from Menards.

[bigb56]

A toner would work. A long time ago we used to use a cheap AM radio but that only finds live wires.

[RVfixit]

Originally Posted by bigb56

A toner would work. A long time ago we used to use a cheap AM radio but that only finds live wires.

Toning is great if you know which wire to hook the signal generator up too!

There are lots of choices to locate wiring but the one I have found to be the most reliable for finding circuits is the wall scanner. You can even get them with an infrared display that shows the wire but you need to rob a bank to buy one.

For Coax, toning is the only way to go and is quick and accurate.

Safe Travels!

[Almot]

My stud finder is this one: https://www.amazon.com/ProSensor-710...s%2C562&sr=1-8

Says "wall scanner", among other things ... That's alright, I have found the way around, metaphorically speaking.

I have to admit that I'm not thrilled with the build quality of these things. Still curious about 2x6 (?) where the wall meets the ceiling. There is 7" from metal door trim to the ceiling and 1/4" interior ply doesn't give there unlike in other areas. My wall scanner (or whatever it is) reads 1" board right below the ceiling, going along the wall for as long as I could measure. They use 2x2" studs in the walls. 2x6" board sitting on top of this? Hard to believe.

[RVfixit]

My stud finder is this one: https://www.amazon.com/ProSensor-710...s%2C562&sr=1-8

That is just a stud finder. The ones I am talking about will locate wiring, metal plumbing, etc. but it sounds like you already have the work around in progress so good luck with the repairs!

Safe Travels!

[Almot]

Originally Posted by RVfixit

My stud finder is this one: https://www.amazon.com/ProSensor-710...s%2C562&sr=1-8

That is just a stud finder. The ones I am talking about will locate wiring, metal plumbing, etc. but it sounds like you already have the work around in progress so good luck with the repairs!

Safe Travels!

My stud finder /wall scanner can see the wires and metal plumbing (that I don't have in trailer walls of course). On another wall it located 12V wire very accurately when I needed it. But it also sees studs so there is no way to tell what is in there, with many vertical and horizontal studs to support windows and cabinets. Too small trailer . Later today I have located 120V wire emerging from under the window and going up over the door, applying same method as I did with 12V wire - anything that doesn't follow straight line is a wire. Tracing the wire near and under the window was difficult so I took a different approach.