I bought a new deck-mount converter and want to mount it closer to the batteries. If I put it in the front pass-through I'll have a short 12v run of wire but will have to get ac power to it. It looks like I'll have to come off the breaker in the current converter, go down through the floor and run the wire under the frame, then bring it up into the pass-through compartment.
So what type of wire do I use? I was thinking about direct burial 14-2 but I've heard not to use solid wire in a trailer (even though the outlets are wired that way.) Or can I use 14ga SO extension cord since it's a stranded wire?
2013 North Trail 21FBS
2012 F-150 XLT Ecoboost ("EcoBeast") scab
I was able to run romex 12-3 from my new location back to the 120VAC Power Distribution Panel inside cabinets along the floor.
On the newer trailers that have membranes under the trailers sure makes it difficult to go under the trailer without removing some of the material on the bottom of the trailer.
This might be a good case to get some flexible PVC conduit and run your romex thru it. LOWES has all kinds of PVC electrical components to make your install very professional looking...
It is a definitely a good idea to bring a new 120VAC 15A drop to your new converter/charger location.
You will also have to deal with the DC OUTPUT side of the new converter/charger as well. The 12VDC cable path has to be connected to your 12VDC Power Distribution panel as well in addition of going to the battery bank switches.
I used 4-AWG good quality ANCOR marine cable products for my 12VDC cables in my up-grade which I purchased from ebay in 25-foot spools ($50-$60). I cut my own 12VDC cable lengths and used ANCOR ring terminals using a hydraulic hand crimper I also purchased from ebay ($50). Everything turned out very professional looking...
Be glad to share my install via emails if you like...
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
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The PVC coreline with the romex inside would be best for under the trailer, it would give the wire some protection. If you just go with romex (no coreline)get the 2/14 NMWU, it is for damp and underground locations and has a thicker insulation, solid is fine for the 115 volt side.
If the new conductors would be exposed, outside the trailer's shell, then they should have some physical protection such as flexible conduit. If putting them in conduit, why not go with individual THWN conductors? It's way easier to pull THWN conductors through a conduit than Romex or SO cord.
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JLTN_James wrote: If the new conductors would be exposed, outside the trailer's shell, then they should have some physical protection such as flexible conduit. If putting them in conduit, why not go with individual THWN conductors? It's way easier to pull THWN conductors through a conduit than Romex or SO cord.
Yeah I thought about that too, and it'll probably be the way I go.
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