| Author |
Message |
Leonard
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 8:36 pm: | |
What guage of electical wire should be used for Carrier 15000 btu roofmount airs w/heatstrips? |
Abajaba
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 8:44 pm: | |
Depends on what the manual for the unit lists as the requirements for the electrical service.
The normal ratings are 14 gauge is good for 15 amp service and 12 gauge is good for 20 amp service. I kind of lose track after that but can look it up if needed.
Oh, if it is 240 volt 15 amp then the rating is still 14 gauge and like wise for 20 amp at 240 volt. |
Marc Bourget
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:44 pm: | |
The conductor size also varies with length due to voltage drop, but this usually isn't a concern with the "short" (relatively) distances in a bus.
But don't take my word for it, check the NEC. |
Lin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:07 pm: | |
I would guess that it is meant to have a 20 amp breaker, so 12 guage is standard. I went with 10 gauge, but that's just a personal thing with AC's for me. |
Glenn MC-9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 6:36 am: | |
Hi Leonard,
I just finished "re-wiring" our two roof units. I run # 10 wire and fed each unit with 20 amp breakers.
That's a little overkill, but just in case I want a larger unit later on.....I won't (hopefully) have to pull more wire.
You didn't mention it in your post as to whether you'll be using solid wire or stranded wire. I'm sure you know that stranded is prefered. Also, the way I made up my connections was to "tin" the ends of the wire before terminating.
Good luck,
Glenn |
CoryDane RTSII
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 1:47 pm: | |
I would use nothing smaller then #10 guage stranded for the air con units.
This wire will have no problem with start up amperages or resistance in the wire.
West marine has a good wire guage chart that gives you load and variances according to length of wire.
cd |
FAST FRED
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 5:29 am: | |
As a conversion uses lots of wire , and good discounts are avilable on larger purchases , I have found it simpler to use #10 Boat Cable , or marine wiring for everything.
In the long run it probably costs less .
And certainly has the least maint AND lowest Voltage drop with proper terminals.
Noticed in the latest FMCA mag ,
Parlament Coach is the latest to brag about finally using marine wiring in all their conversions.
Another "high end" conversion bunch that sez , Shove the RVIA code , HHMMM?
FAST FRED |
Jeff (Jeff)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 8:25 pm: | |
Wire? I believe in overkill. I wanted to make sure the weakest links to my wiring were the breaker. I used 10 gauge wire for my A/Cs. I used 12 gauge for 15 amp service. All my DC wiring is 12 gauge. Can you be too safe? It may cost more now but worth it later. Also, are you thinking where to place all your smoke, propane, COx detectors and the ABC fire extinguishers? Safety equipment makes great Christmas presents! Sorry, too many flash overs and ceilings on my head. One backdraft is more than enough!
Jeff
"Take Another Road"
Member 4:10 Club
Rustless not Busless in Buckroe
1988 TMC RTS-06
6V92-TA DDEC IV/V731
da Bubba |
George Myers
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 12:25 pm: | |
#12 wire meets the code for your air conditioners using 20 amp breakers, but it will be operating near its limit. This generates some heat that should dissipated in a normal installation. However, most of us embed the wire in high quality insulation that will hold more heat in than normal. When it is really hot, the A/C operates at full current all the time and the roof is heated by the sun. The code says this should still be OK, but a lot of us think that this is a good place for an extra margin of safety, and use #10 |