I am redoing a vintage Camper

[Kirk]

I drew a diagram and hopefully you can see what I am trying to do.

I agree with Mark. The way that you have drawn it, the first 2 lights will be powered all of the time but can be turned on and off by a switch that is on the light fixture, assuming that it is there. The last 3 will be on or off by the switch, but if they have a local switch, that can be used to turn each one off, individually, when the switch is on.

 

[mancave]

I agree with Mark. The way that you have drawn it, the first 2 lights will be powered all of the time but can be turned on and off by a switch that is on the light fixture, assuming that it is there. The last 3 will be on or off by the switch, but if they have a local switch, that can be used to turn each one off, individually, when the switch is on.

Yeah that was the goal I just wasn't sure if the neg wires would be hooked or not so that's was what I wasn't sure if I was correct thinking that way

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

A circuit is named such as there is a path from start to finish. Or in this context, one side of the supply to the other - positive to negative. Your left side lights have a direct negative and positive connection. The right three have their positive side opened/completed by the switch and they too will need a negative connection or the circuit for those is open. The way you have it drawn that's through the negative side of the left lights which implies it's a mechanical/physical location which is fine, as long as the conductor size and length can handle the current of all the loads.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Kirk]

I just wasn't sure if the neg wires would be hooked or not

The place where the question mark is on your drawing the black wires should be connected.

 

[mancave]

The place where the question mark is on your drawing the black wires should be connected.

Thanks.

 

[mancave]

Hey when I run the 6 awg wire from my panel to my battery the only color Im able to get is red or would that be a issue? I am gonna mark one with black tape for neg( - ) so I just wanted to be sure I don't think it would be a issue

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Tape can fall off, I would use heatshrink and if you can, band it several places along it's length or if it's short enough, sheath the whole thing (I buy heatshrink in 100ft rolls). For bonus points you could get heatshrink labels with printing on them.



Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[mancave]

Tape can fall off, I would use heatshrink and if you can, band it several places along it's length or if it's short enough, sheath the whole thing (I buy heatshrink in 100ft rolls). For bonus points you could get heatshrink labels with printing on them.

View attachment 177548

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

ok sounds good I will check into that. So I assume the color is fine as long as its #6

 

[rvlifer]

ok sounds good I will check into that. So I assume the color is fine as long as its #6

The color on the outside doesnt affect the performance. It is to help avoid connecting things to the wrong places.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Right. RV's don't get a code inspection but the confusion reduction at some future time might be your own. Make it plainly evident, make it indelible and it still won't eliminate confusion but could reduce it.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[mancave]

Right. RV's don't get a code inspection but the confusion reduction at some future time might be your own. Make it plainly evident, make it indelible and it still won't eliminate confusion but could reduce it.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I have diagrams and drawings of what is what so no way to get confused. I have EVERYTHING mapped out.

Here is my cabinet design, I have to rework some of the frame but its gonna have 2 double doors and a fold down door to access the battery if needed. plus have the switches for water pump,outside lights, kill switch and radio and have 2 vents .

 

[Kirk]

So I assume the color is fine as long as its #6

Color doesn't matter but, I would label it at both ends, just in case someone other than you ever works on it. And don't forget that the negative side of things should also connect to the trailer frame at some point.

 

[Sunnyfalls]

Right. RV's don't get a code inspection but the confusion reduction at some future time might be your own. Make it plainly evident, make it indelible and it still won't eliminate confusion but could reduce it.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I have never understood the RV industry electrical wire color code system? Black being +12VDC, White being - 12VDC, Black also being Hot 120VAC, White also being Neutral 120VAC and Green for Ground 12VDC/120VAC. Or at least, that is how Castia trailer wired our trailer. Maybe other RV manufacturers do something different?

Every other electrical industry uses Red for + 12VDC, Black for - 12VDC and Green for Ground 12VDC. And uses Black/Red for Hot 120VAC, White for Neutral 120VAC and Green for Ground 120VAC. And uses Black and Red for 240VAC.

Seems to me a better RV color code would have been to retain the conventional DC colors (i.e., Black and Red) and retain the conventional unique AC colors (i.e., White and Green), but use some other unique RV color for Hot 120VAC (e.g., say stripped Black/Red).

However, this likely explains why RV Chargers/Converters need and typically have reverse battery polarity fuse protection... It would be easy to mistake Black as being - 12VDC and White as being + 12VDC. Or perhaps even using a Black and Red wire that is 240VAC thinking they were 12VDC.

 

[mancave]

Color doesn't matter but, I would label it at both ends, just in case someone other than you ever works on it. And don't forget that the negative side of things should also connect to the trailer frame at some point.

Yeah the wire for neg will go to that bus bar I had to get and that's already grounded to frame

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I haven't read through the thread because I don't have any mechanical/carpenter/electrical skills to add to the OP's project.

But, the OP should check out the YouTube channel "Wild RV Life" where the young couple who own a beautiful Brinkley 5th wheel for their RV channel travel bought an old Class C as a rebuild project, with no experience doing such a job. One of their videos shows them stripping off the old roof, repairing rotted sections, sealing, and applying a new rubber roof membrane. For the DIY type person, whether the OP or someone else on the Forum their video gives great insight into what this job entails. Their current video shows them building their kitchen cabinets from scratch, again with no experience.

I have no affiliations with this YouTube couple, but this seems to be a very popular thread on The Forum and I thought I'd pass the video on to not only the OP, but many others on this forum with the ability to re-do an RV and have thought of taking on a project like this.

 

[mancave]

well I started my cabinet. The drawing isn't matching up to how I had to do it but I think its better. Anyway I will finish it hope by the weekend so you can all see it.

I am also working on a website via my home server so everyone can see my progress as I go. doubt this is important but figured I would let you know.

 

[rvlifer]

Did tou get all your insulation done?

 

[mancave]

Did tou get all your insulation done?

Not yet. I plan to spray foam it I just haven't removed the left over yet. That will be gone this week as well.

I also just have to get some clips to secure the ground wire to the wood frame

 

[Kirk]

The cabinets look good. How do you plan to finish the area, some sort of wood paneling?

 

[rvlifer]

Not yet. I plan to spray foam it I just haven't removed the left over yet. That will be gone this week as well.

I also just have to get some clips to secure the ground wire to the wood frame

Wont the cabinetry be in the way?