[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #180 - Romex in travel trailer?

[waymark1@xxxxxxxx]

House wiring (romex) is not flexible. 10 gage stranded (flexible) has the
same resistance as solid 10 gage, so in any application that will require
repeated bending of the wires use automotive (fuel and oil resistant
insulation) stranded wire. Solid will break after a few flexings.
The charging wire and ground wires on my trailer are 8 gage except in the
connector cable, which has 12 gage ground and 14 gage everything else.
Optima batteries are lead acid gel cells. They give off hydrogen gas like
liquid electrolyte batteries. They just don't spill if turned over, and
have high plate density. They are made in starting, combined
starting/deep cycle (boat), and deep cycle models.
Battery isolators are for preventing the tow vehicle's starting battery
from being drained by loads in the trailer. An isolator is not needed for
charging the trailer battery(ies) from the tow vehicle's alternator.
Solid state (diode) isolators create a voltage drop due to the resistance
of the semiconductor junction. An isolator relay that is connected to the
ignition will allow charging the trailer battery when the tow vehicle
engine is running, with no voltage drop, then disconnect the trailer
charging wire from the tow vehicle when the tow vehicle's engine is
turned off.
If you have extra batteries in the back of your tow vehicle please anchor
them well as in a collision loose 50 lb. batteries will come forward into
you like they were shot out of a cannon.

I looked at the healthy-homes site and found this:
"OFF THE GRID- SOLAR TRAILER!!
"The bumper was extended and a custom made box fabricated to hold 6, but
up to 10 deep cycle batteries. This trailer can operate on 12 volt with
no converter noise or EMF pollution."
I cannot imagine putting up to 10 batteries hanging out the back of a
trailer! What is that, 500+ lbs worth of tail wagging? Anybody know
anything of this? A mere spare tire (recall discussion several days ago)
back there pales into insignificance. 
Al