I need some help with my electrical system in my camper

[Rich W.]

All,

Why are we not suggesting the use of 12 and 14 gauge "three conductor" wiring? There is absolutely a need for a ground wire in this system, not merely a hot and a neutral.

Rick

Standard Romex (12/2 or 14/2) has three conductors - a hot and neutral both with their own internal insulation, and an uninsulated ground inside the exterior sheath of insulation. 12/3 or 14/3 have an extra insulated wire (traveler) inside the sheath (so black, white, and red plus ground) and are used for things like circuits with 3 way switches.

So recommending he keeps his existing 12 and 14 ga romex IS recommending the use of wire with 3 connectors that includes a ground. Don’t want to confuse the OP any more since he has already had incorrect advice.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Quick note:

According to code (NEC) a conductor is a wire that carries the load current. More specifically, insulated conductor.

There is no reason to count the ground as a conductor, for two reasons. One it is not a current conducting wire. Second code calls it a grounding wire not a conductor. Three, other than allowing preexisting work to stay as built, no new work would pass enspection without ground!

When adding to preexisting work the most common approach is to use a GFIC to feed new work from preexisting system.

 

[Rich W.]

Quick note:

According to code (NEC) a conductor is a wire that carries the load current. More specifically, insulated conductor.

There is no reason to count the ground as a conductor, for two reasons. One it is not a current conducting wire. Second code calls it a grounding wire not a conductor. Three, other than allowing preexisting work to stay as built, no new work would pass enspection without ground!

When adding to preexisting work the most common approach is to use a GFIC to feed new work from preexisting system.

Agreed - pour use of the term on my part but it seemed the comment I responded to implied that standard romex doesn’t have a provision for a ground. That was what I was a trying to address.

 

[mancave]

Thanks for all the replies. I pulled the box and all the wire out today and the way it was hook is the shore line as I call it was hooked to the box and breaker then 14/2 and 12/2 was hooked to the other breaker(was a single breaker with 2 switches).
The way I was thinking was take the shore line and hook to box to give it power when its plugged in then use breakers for outlets and lights.

how does this sound? I just now have to be sure I get the correct wire. I too think 8g is too big for outlets and lights. he said 10 was min and 8 was max. So I am not sure what and who to trust haha. but I will keep researching it and study hard before I jump into it.

would it be good to have fuses for the ac and furnace? I know I want fuses for the outside camper lights,and water pump.

update - I think the electrician misunderstood what I was asking him. I think he thought I was asking how to wire the 30 amp plug that I would use in the camper site instead of the other but I am awaiting his reply.

Don

 

[Kevin D Pem]

There are some qualified electricians on this site! You have not been steered wrong yet!

May I suggest if you're uncomfortable with this task you hire it done!

 

[mancave]

There are some qualified electricians on this site! You have not been steered wrong yet!

May I suggest if you're uncomfortable with this task you hire it done!

Yeah he still says 8g well he says 8/2 so I am not sure if the size of the wire would be same for 8g and 8/2 or if they are different.

I can't afford to have it done so I have to do it all myself.

 

[Rich W.]

Post some pics and it will be easier to provide guidance. 8 gauge is still totally unnecessary for an RV with a 30amp service. It won’t be using 30 amps through each and every one of the circuits, 30 amps is the total draw of all the circuits. There is just nothing in a typical RV that justifies anything over 12ga. So…pics.

I agree with Kevin that from the previous comments, this would be better handled by a qualified electrician and you clearly don’t have one at your disposal. But that said, it’s nothing you can’t learn and do yourself. What stops people from sharing their knowledge in these cases is the possibility that it could encourage an unqualified person to go ahead with work and potentially make mistakes that could have life safety implications.

But I’m willing to take and look at the job and I’m sure others are too. Beyond that without more info I can’t say anything. So what are you working on? Make, model, year? And can you post some pics? That’s where I’d have to start.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Yeah he still says 8g well he says 8/2 so I am not sure if the size of the wire would be same for 8g and 8/2 or if they are different.

I can't afford to have it done so I have to do it all myself.

I try not to do this! BUT!!! Your friend may be working in the electrical field, but is not a qualified electrician.

I tried to talk you into using existing wiring, but now you have something that is useless without a good deal of help!

At this time if you must ask for help and want qualified information I suggest either choose to listen to those here that have offered to guide you on this list! Or ask a fourth graders for their opinion! You have not received more credible information other than those two sources.

I personally will not help any further if I hear you are getting information from you friend who says he is an electrician. he is not !!!

 

[Rich W.]

I try not to do this! BUT!!! Your friend may be working in the electrical field, but is not a qualified electrician.

I tried to talk you into using existing wiring, but now you have something that is useless without a good deal of help!

At this time if you must ask for help and want qualified information I suggest either choose to listen to those here that have offered to guide you on this list! Or ask a fourth graders for their opinion! You have not received more credible information other than those two sources.

I personally will not help any further if I hear you are getting information from you friend who says he is an electrician. he is not !!!

Well the good news is that if he keeps negotiating he’ll eventually get back to 12 and 14 gauge wire. ;^]
.

 

[mancave]

wow why does everyone get so insulted. I pulled the wire because it was all over in a mess. I have decided to do one step at a time. first I will get a new box and connect the shore line to it and then go from there.
as far as year,make,model I have no idea as it was given to me and the plate on the camper have worn to hardly seeing the details.
I wasn't here to insult anyone or upset anyone. In the end I always figure it out and I possibly will go back to the 14 and 12 in the end, I just have to be sure before risking it and I am sure everyone can understand that.
Anyway can you answer this. If I get a 125amp breaker box and put a 30amp for shore and then 15amps in the others and no to exceed a total of 125 will this be safe? what would be a good amp breaker to put ac and furnace on?

Thanks
Don