Community Forums

Darryl · 02-07-2009, 06:26 AM

I received my new porchlite (Thin-Lite model 162) without any literature. Which lead is positive, white or black? I'm guessing the white, but don't want to risk burning it out on a guess.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-07-2009, 06:31 AM

Black is ground, white is hot (positive).

Darryl · 02-07-2009, 10:28 AM

Much appreciated, Gary.

Loren · 02-07-2009, 11:44 AM

Gary,
Are you sure about that? My RV is wired like a house, White is neutral and black is hot. I have always matched the thin-lite leads with the color coming out of the wall - black to black and white to white.
Loren

Tom N · 02-07-2009, 12:03 PM

Yes, black is hot and white is neutral.

-Tom

al koffman · 02-07-2009, 04:15 PM

I do not believe there is a neutral wire in a dc circuit. Ground maybe?

Easyrider · 02-07-2009, 04:17 PM

Yep, that's the consensus, black is hot, white is the common or ground. If in doubt- check near your house battery storage area, you'll probably see some white wires connected by a screw to the frame of your motorhome or to a piece of metal that is connected to the frame.

LVJ58 · 02-08-2009, 04:19 AM

All 12v wiring I've worked with, I've always found in red & black combination's red to be positive and black negative, and in black & white combination's, black positive and white negative. Of course there's always exceptions to the rule.

Good luck

Darryl · 02-08-2009, 06:26 AM

Hey guys, I opened the unit up to install it yesterday. They had a diagram in it that says black is hot and white is ground.

This would be similar to house wiring. Back in the prehistoric days, 12 volt stuff had a red for hot and black for ground. Maybe there is still some things like that. This is an issue that should be standardized by some electrical standards group.

I appreciate all the replys very much.