Re: [VAL] Romex

["Mark" <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Forrest,

There's something about your rewire project which hasn't come up, yet really
ought to be mentioned before you start stringing wire:  DC would MUCH rather
travel through multi-stranded wire (like in a lampcord) than solid wire (like
Romex).

Yep, it costs more, but the results will be better and nobody will have a
problem telling one from the other.  The heavier the wire, the better it's
current carrying capacity, particularly with 12 vdc.  It's always best to run
two wires, one for the minus (brown), one for the plus (red), rather than rely
on the body and frame of the coach for the ground.  Either will work, but the
two wire system is best.

Also, before you buy UF (underground feeder), you might be wise to buy a foot
of the stuff and play with it a bit.  The sheathing and insulation on UF can
be a b*tch to work with, and it's a lot stiffer than the regular household
stuff, which is much easier to strip and work with.

In summary, my advice is:

Use multi-strand for DC circuits.

Make all your splices in a box with a cover.

Solder your splices (especially the DC).

Don't use UF anywhere, unless it's going to be exposed to the elements, or to
potential mechanical damage (behind a drawer).


Hope that helps more than confuses,

Mark in Modesto
'62 Tradewind