Total Rebuild

[cwk]

Terry,

Rewiring for functionality makes perfect sense. Where the original wiring was located and how it was attached, routed, etc. may no longer be appropriate.

My question was about reusing the original cable itself. You may remember that I am in the midst of a major remodel of my coach. I have lots of 12 AWG, MTW, stranded wire that is original from 1991. This wiring was used for 12VDC. Except for the residue of black electrical tape that was used to "bundle" the wires inside the cabinet walls, etc., the wire appears to be in good shape.


SIDE NOTE: I will NOT be using any of the solid Romex 110VAC cable that I am removing. This wiring went to outlets and appliances that have been removed. I will be installing Ancor Marine Grade stranded wire (both 12-2 and 12-3 as needed) to the new outlets and appliances.


Back to 12VDC: Given the cost of copper, I thought about reusing the wire itself instead of purchasing new wire.

However, the thought of potential, catastrophic wire failure is forcing me to reconsider. Or, am I being paranoid???


Thoughts???

[Harley1994]

Cw, I gotcha now, I've pulled hundreds of feet of wire out of campers that I've taken apart, for the reason you stated, expensive, I coil it and put it away for projects, I inspect it for any nicks or cuts ect and use as needed.

[ronspradley]

You have a ceiling exhaust fan? Wire that for 110v also, just in case. I found 100' rolls of 16 ga trailer wire that I bought for new wiring. Found 4 wire and 5 wire. Always have extra wires for future use. Your trailer is sure looking good. Will be a great platform for exploring your beautiful country there in upstate NY.


ron and pebbles
.

[Harley1994]

Hi Ron, Thanks! Great idea on the 110 wiring, I am installing a fantastic fan in the main cabin. It seems as though you never have enough plugs, or wires where you need them.

[ronspradley]

And use a label maker to label all wiring.

[Harley1994]

LOL, I always label at least with tape, wheel wells are removed and new (wider) axle is getting a look over to see where everything is going to fall, new tires (33x12.50x15) will be here tomorrow. I'm thinking I'll need more steps to get into the camper, LOL

[guardrail53]

"I'm thinking I'll need more steps to get into the camper, LOL"

Or, put it on air ride, and just dump the air when you arrive!
Rail!

[Harley1994]

Rail, now that's a thought!

[Lloyd in S.C.]

Looks and sounds great Terry! As always!

Regarding the electrical. Have you looked at the new portable power stations? They have built in converters, solar controlers, pass through charging. The DC 12v side is regulated, output is 12.5 volts till the battery is dead. The LI iron phosphate batteries are good for 2,000 charge cycles. And you can unplug them and carry them in the house for charging,,,,, or on a trip for another use. Wondering if that would fit your pupose?

Our replacement (had the bad luck of recieving a bad one first try) came in and it is working good. In a test, it ran our portable fridge for 24 hours the other day and only used 30% of the battery. Ours is a small unit, only 650wh. They make them much bigger.

Oh, and if you have the bigger units, can run your house fridge during power outages, they advertise them as battery backups.

Also the new portable fridges, are very powerful. Ours went from room temp, to -7 in 20 mins! Compressor runs maybe every 90mins, and uses 65 watt hours. Ours can be a fridge, or a freezer with capability down to -8*. Larger units, have dual zones, both can be a frdige, one side a freezer, or all a freezer. Ours is smaller to fit in our little Jeep.

Not now, but in the future we plan on a folding 100 watt solar panel which should provide more power to our power station than the fridge uses during the day,,,,,, if sunny!

Anyway, just a thought. Many are using there to build offroad trailers with kitchens etc.

[Wroughtnharv]

Terry, you are going to replace those original springs! Right?

I’ve had leafs break on trailers and they can make a mess of things.

I picked up about 10-12 partial to full 500’ rolls of stranded 10 and 12 gauge wire four so years ago. The price was right and I’m a price is right kind of guy. I’m using them and some Romex in the barndo. The hiccup is electricians see four colors acceptable, white, black, green, and Red. I’ve got those along with browns, lavenders, yellows, and pinks etc. But stranded carries more amps safely than solid like in Romex. I’m also using crimp on connectors instead of wire nuts on the stranded. It’s slower and more work but, bad connections create heat-fires.

It’s looking good. I’m twist and tween on the smooth vs old school siding. They both are appropriate, smooth makes it look older even, but no one else has a retro canned ham off road trailer. That has to be important. One offs are special kind of cool.

[Harley1994]

Hi guys, Lloyd, yes I've looked at those power stations, pretty cool, I have a Dewalt power station 3600 watt, I've used that in my car trailer while at the race tracks. Not as easy to recharge on solar though. I do have an inverter genny also. Hopefully the trailer setup will be sufficient, LOL. Harv, yup springs are here, also toying with putting shocks on.

[Harley1994]

Just picked up the new tires for the lil trailer build

[Maller01]

You will be done before you know it!

[Harley1994]

Maller, almost got all the pieces, new brake assembly's and all new clearance lights ect should be here by tomorrow. Once the axle is assembled I can see how high I want to mount it, (above or below the springs) I have calculated the height but I'm very visual and have to see it, LOL. Once the axle is installed then the fun really begins,