wire thickness question

[scopeaddict]

can house wire 110/220 ,
be used for the 12V applications?
ive got 5-rolls of it from when i was in business kicking around collecting dust,

thanks
johnp

[Leon]

Yes, but the solid conductor of house wire doesn't hold up to vibration that is encountered in a trailer, so it may break over time. How much time? could be quite a long time.

[rasp]

http://www.emarineinc.com/products/mounts/boatwire.html

here is a good source for electrical wire choice.

[Elumia]

This has been said many times here:

Choose wire size based on amps you are asking it to carry.
If it is for low voltage application (12v), you need to also consider voltage drop.

Fuse/breaker rating is dependent on the wire size you choose.

Solid or stranded shouldn't be much difference, stranded is easier to route. I have an old travel trailer that had solid wire working just fine for 35 years. I'm rebuilding it only because the wood rotted away.

Mark

[asianflava]

Yes, but the solid conductor of house wire doesn't hold up to vibration that is encountered in a trailer, so it may break over time. How much time? could be quite a long time.

Good thing our buddy from across the pond is no longer here to see this. If he did it'd be another flame war.

To his credit, he did mention heavy machinery which has been in service for many years that used solid conductor wire. I'm shure the wires clamped down at close intervals. However, I was taught that stranded wire is preferred in vehicles. It is also easier to run in the cramped confines of a trailer.

[Leon]

Where it is most likely to have problems is at the terminal connection because the wire that can flex hits a solid point and causes a fatigue point. That's why they don't recommend soldering crimp terminals, or the mil spec for soldered terminals doen't allow solder to wick up into the insulation.

[Miriam C.]

can house wire 110/220 ,
be used for the 12V applications?
ive got 5-rolls of it from when i was in business kicking around collecting dust,

thanks
johnp

Heck I only have 2 rolls. Perhaps you should sell your romex and buy something lighter. Household is real expensive and not getting cheaper any time soon. You might make a quite a profit.

[bdosborn]

The solid versus stranded debate isn't limited to just this forum
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fusea ... g/1/page/1
No consensus over there either.
Bruce

[rasp]

the biggest problem with sold is that if knicked when stripping, it will break at that point even in a house. with standed if knicked you only loose a strand or two.
use what you want too, it's your trailer

[bdosborn]

the biggest problem with sold is that if knicked when stripping, it will break at that point even in a house. with standed if knicked you only loose a strand or two.
use what you want too, it's your trailer

You're preachin' to the choir here. I used stranded throughout.
Bruce

[rasp]

the biggest problem with sold is that if knicked when stripping, it will break at that point even in a house. with standed if knicked you only loose a strand or two.
use what you want too, it's your trailer

You're preachin' to the choir here. I used stranded throughout.
Bruce

not to worry, just pointing out a few facts to those who are wondering.

[Dale M.]

This is what I was considering using for my DC wiring when doing my yet to be build TD... Seems to be quality wire and extra vinyl jacket makes it pretty durable... Going to use 12 gauge of course...

http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/ ... 1&tabset=1

Here is some other "interesting" wire type for TD use...

http://order.waytekwire.com/IMAGES/M37/ ... 18_007.PDF

Dale

[asianflava]

No need to get too fancy, for my AC wiring, I used an extension cord that I chopped up. Most of my runs were short (confined to the galley area), the longest one was for the interior cabin outlets. I bought regular automotive 2 conductor wire for the DC circuits.