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AA4WP · 07-25-2008, 01:31 PM

I have just installed a model 34560 Surge Guard in the electric bay of our motorhome. It required a lot of strain relief work on the cables leading to and from the device, as the terminals seemingly are designed to clamp wires which have zero retraction force on them. I have solved that problem; now remains a means to cover the terminal strip. Each terminal strip consists of 8 screw heads which are live (well, four of the eight) with electricity, and which are inset rather shallowly in the bakelite(?) terminals. I noticed that a different model of the Surge Guard, I think for 30 amp, has a terminal block cover, but not so the the 50 amp model. Has anyone thought this to be a problem? I know the easiest answer is to be sure the bay door stays shut and locked, but I cannot guarantee that to be the case with me in my current state of advancing years. (May they continue to advance)

Any one have an idea how one may easily solve this perceived problem? Thanks for any ideas you may have.

Cheers.

AA4WP · 07-25-2008, 01:31 PM

I have just installed a model 34560 Surge Guard in the electric bay of our motorhome. It required a lot of strain relief work on the cables leading to and from the device, as the terminals seemingly are designed to clamp wires which have zero retraction force on them. I have solved that problem; now remains a means to cover the terminal strip. Each terminal strip consists of 8 screw heads which are live (well, four of the eight) with electricity, and which are inset rather shallowly in the bakelite(?) terminals. I noticed that a different model of the Surge Guard, I think for 30 amp, has a terminal block cover, but not so the the 50 amp model. Has anyone thought this to be a problem? I know the easiest answer is to be sure the bay door stays shut and locked, but I cannot guarantee that to be the case with me in my current state of advancing years. (May they continue to advance)

Any one have an idea how one may easily solve this perceived problem? Thanks for any ideas you may have.

Cheers.

John Hilley · 07-26-2008, 10:49 AM

Could you fabricate a cover similar to the 30 AMP version? Liquid Electrical Tape might be a good solution.

AA4WP · 07-26-2008, 11:33 AM

Thank you, John. That liquid tape looks like a great idea.

Since I don't have a 30 amp model to examine, I don't know it how could work. We used to have a Camping World across the river in Indiana, but they moved that store to Indianapolis, which about a 100 mile drive. (so is their Bowling Green store, 100 miles south.) So I'll look over the liquid tape idea. I like the idea of covering the bare wire as well as the bare terminals. My only concern is how difficult it would be to work on the terminals after the tape is applied. Usually things I put together eventually have to be taken apart to fix or improve, but I will look into it.

Thanks, Wendell (AA4WP)

HarveyP · 07-26-2008, 02:10 PM

Our previous motorhome was a Class C that had electrical under one of the dinette seats. There was a terminal strip that was uncovered. Since we wanted to use the space for storage, I fashioned a cover out of a one-liter soda bottle. Maybe looked strange, but kept stuff out of my connections. Good luck, HarveyP