Just wondering if anyone has noticed that their unit has excessive wire gauge or length ?
I have been doing a fair amount of rewiring to our new unit, adding dimmers and switches to a number of circuits, and I am amazed at the waste of expensive copper wire. I removed almost 15 feet of excess 6 ga 3 conductor wire between the generator transfer box, breaker panel and shorepower inlet plug. All the 12 v wiring in the unit appears to be 12 gauge, even if it is suppling a single 15 watt bulb. Given the cost cutting measure used elsewhwere, it seems absurd to waste costly copper wire. The wiring is also routed ineffeciently, not taking advantage of common grounding or buss methods.
08 Carriage Cameo F34CK3
07 GMC Sierra 2500 HD 6.6 Duramax
00 Chevrolet Tahoe (retired T/V)
55 Beautiful, brunette RV loving Wife
06 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel "Roxy"
jwcgc29 wrote: I have been doing a fair amount of rewiring to our new unit, adding dimmers and switches to a number of circuits, and I am amazed at the waste of expensive copper wire. I removed almost 15 feet of excess 6 ga 3 conductor wire between the generator transfer box, breaker panel and shorepower inlet plug. All the 12 v wiring in the unit appears to be 12 gauge, even if it is suppling a single 15 watt bulb. Given the cost cutting measure used elsewhwere, it seems absurd to waste costly copper wire. The wiring is also routed ineffeciently, not taking advantage of common grounding or buss methods.
All in all in the manufacturing business, wire is cheap. In the company I worked for we always left at least 2-3 feet extra on each wire run just for future use.
Also by using a common buss or grounding system you are asking for problems. It is much easier to trouble shoot a system where you know each wire run starts and ends.
Rich,and Tobi (the rescued dog)
Prowler 5ver, 84 Ford F250 KCOCOLOR78 Weather
Colo. Spgs. CO
Copper wire is cheap ? I dont know how to reply to that. What company did you work for and in what circumstance did you leave 2 to 3 feet of extra wire for future use ?
Also, aircraft use a common buss and grounding system...I know, I have re-wired 3. If it is good enough for Beechcraft, Cessna and Piper it should be good enough for an RV.
As for overkill being better than appropriately sizing the wire for the load, I would assume your next house will have 10 gauge wire on all the 15 amp circuits..."just to be on the safe side". Try finding an electrician that would call that a good idea.
Leave my wiring alone. I like the extra length for retrofiting later. I also like the thicker gauge so I can add lights, a 12v auto plug or whatever.
It is routine to leave a long lead at the end of a run in most businesses. I have been putting in high-end access control systems for Siemans for years and that is exactly what we do. I don't know how many times we've had to go back to a site to retrofit and the extra wire is already there, saving the customer costly re-run time and money.
Jason and family
2004 Cedar Creek 31LBHBS
2004 2500HD Silverado CC LT LLY Duramax/Allison 4x4
48 Gal Aux Fuel Tank - 74 total gal cap.
Husky 16K, Kipor 3500ti Generator
Prodigy, Timbrens, 285 Goodyears, Rhino Lined,
Cobra 75WXST with Firestik
Rude ? I posted a concern and I basically got "copper is cheap" and "overkill is good"..neither of which is true.
Not trying to be rude, just trying to qualify the responses of those that took the time to reply to my post. Has everyone become to thin skinned that anything but a "thanks for the response" is considered rude ? If I get a reponse I dont necessarily agree with, I cant question the response ? There actually can be a right and wrong way to do things....questioning the way it is done, or feedback about such, is not rude.
As a child I was taught manners and respect, but was always allowed the opportunity for open discussion, and the right to disagree and speak my mind. I wish my Dad, who would be 95 if he were alive, were here. I miss his wit, intelligence and open mind. It is tough to find others of his ilk with which to have open discourse without being considered a snotty brat.
OK....Everyone calm down. Cant we have a little discussion without egos getting in the way ? I can imagine why anyone could consider 15 feet of excess 6 gauge wire acceptable. We are not talking stubbed out runs for later use....I have re-wired 2 houses, wired 2 from the gound up, as well as the 3 airplanes I mentioned in my "rude" response. I understand leaving extra circuits for later use. Being proactive is dandy...waste is not.
The one thing I have discovered in my short time as an RV'er is you dont question anything, less you become a basher, whiner, etc.
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