| Author | Message | ||
| Bart Duncan (Bartman)
Registered Member Username: Bartman Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 68.185.135.211 Rating: N/A |
newbie question - - automotive wiring or marine wiring? and does anyone know where I can get my hands on a set of manuals for a 1981 Prevost? Thanks! | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 683 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.3.169.171 Rating: N/A |
Boy, you probably opened a can of worms with this question LOL. There are busnuts with very strong feelings about both automotive AND marine wire, especially when used for 120 volt AC wiring. I don't think either of these are UL rated for 120 volt AC, although I know several that have used the marine wire with no problems (marine ratings are by a different agency than residential and RV). I think "code" requires all AC wiring to be double insulated, such as individual wires in conduit or wire such as romex or marine where there is a insulating sheath around the individual wires. In my opinion, even more important than what kind of wire is used (as long as it is sized for the load it will carry and the insulation is rated for the voltage)is proper installation. Not sure about the Prevost manual, maybe www.coachinfo.com or Ebay? Hope this helps, Jack | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.163.230.35 Rating: N/A |
definite can of worms however I really like some of the marine wire offered by Anchor corp. They use multistrand, pretinned, double insulated wire and it is very flexible and made for high vibration environments. Being marine it is also very expensive. That said the coach I just bought does not have it but I feel no need to retrofit it. Personally if I was starting from scratch I would probably lean toward using the marine wire but I don't think there is anything wrong with the others. My two cents | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 308 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 76.168.69.233 Rating: N/A |
Bart, Although you will find Romex used for the 120V wiring in some motorhomes, as a licensed electrician, I would not use solid wire in a vehicle application. The insulation voltage rating is important, and although automotive wire is stranded, it may not be rated 300V which is the minimum for shore power. IMNSHO, the best wiring method, for durability, initial cost, and accesibility, if you change your mind later, is non-metallic liquidtight conduit. You can buy it at HD, glue the threaded fittings on it easily, and then pull type MTW, (machine tool wire) through it. It's at HD in 500' rolls also, tough double insulation, resistant to oil, gas, and water, (which romex isn't) and because it is also rated THHN, and/or THWN, etc. it isn't as expensive as the exotics. Use the $2.50 receptacles and switches which use a screw to clamp the wire in the hole, (not bending the wire around a screw) and definitely not the "pushwire" type for #14 solid only. FWIW, George | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 146 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.30.225.115 Rating: N/A |
Lookout George, here comes one of the Code nerds. NEC 351-23(b)(3) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit shall not be used ...in lengths longer than 6 feet. I know this because I had to change out about a hundred runs that were 12-15 feet long. Makes no sense to me because the blue plastic crap is permitted. Len | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 309 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.75.253 Rating: N/A |
Len, You're right! Somewhere in the exceptions allows "longer for radius," if I remember correctly. Now we're not going to take out a permit for this are we? What is the 'building' address? He's sure going to get written up for section 250, (no driven ground rod.) Smurf tube is a lot harder to pull thru... I can see his weatherhead isn't properly braced from here! Do you know how to get the worms back in the can? Hairspray, stiffens 'em right up! George | ||
| george bruton (Tazman632000)
Registered Member Username: Tazman632000 Post Number: 44 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 65.184.69.36 Rating: N/A |
the marine wire is rated for 300 volts.it great wire. me personaly i used the armor clad wire on my bus i think theres a lot more chance of a chaffing problem or a screw being put in the wire that the vibration problem. have you ever tried to break a piece of copper wire by moving it back and forth | ||
| Bart Duncan (Bartman)
Registered Member Username: Bartman Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 68.185.135.211 Rating: |
wow! now I'm really confused!!! - thanks guys, I think I'll keep running from codes! Bart | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 810 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 71.42.167.154 Rating: N/A |
>>>>>where I can get my hands on a set of manuals for a 1981 Prevost<<<<< Did you try Prevost? | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 185 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 219.94.109.186 Rating: N/A |
The codes provide valuable information that can be life saving. It's important to keep in mind that the requirements are generally the minimum and there are better, but sometimes more expensive approaches in terms of the materials used that can be employed. However, the principles of protection contained in the codes are essential for safety and should not be ignored. FWIW from an old electrical safety evaluator and standards technical committee member. Dave Dulmage | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 105 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 68.242.226.11 Rating: N/A |
IF you have a fire caused by wireing and the insurance company can prove the fire was caused by wireing that was not to code. They ain't gonna pay. | ||
| Ted Gilbert (Ted01)
Registered Member Username: Ted01 Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 71.60.38.226 Rating: N/A |
My coach is an MCI and I found manuals on e-bay. |
