electrical half done - need guidance!

[TwoStarsTeardrop]

we bought a teardrop this month that was well built, but not finished - the guy simply needed the cash. He has run wires, but as you can see form the pictures, its far from done. there are blue and white wires hanging from the ceiling inside the camper, as well as a couple of outlets that are incomplete (as pictured below) - he also has blue and white wires on the "counter top" that he said he was going to run speakers too.

The fact is, we just don't know where to start in order to finish this. An electrician friend wouldn't touch it as he says wiring a camper is just not something he knows about(and its not his camper!). Ideally we would like to be able to run it off the outlets at campsite, not purely a battery.
can anyone steer us in the right direction?

Thanks!

[GuitarPhotog]

The blue and white are DC circuits and they go to fan, lights, and/or accessory outlets. First you need to "ring out" the blue and white wires to see where they go. Then you need to figure out how you want to allocate the DC circuits on your WFCO converter (the black box with wires hanging out). Google WFCO Converter and you'll find info about them, including reliability info.

You will need to purchase and mount a 12 VDC deep cycle battery. The size (and cost) depends on your energy budget. How many lamps, fans, accessory outlets you want to power from 12 VDC.

The jacketed red, white, and green (or bare) wire is for the 120 VAC. You need to ring them out to see what they were intended to hook up to. Maybe some lights and some outlets. The WFCO has spots for circuit breakers to manage the AC distribution.

You should find and download the wiring diagram for the WFCO. You can probably find it here on TnTTT or via Google on the web.]

You'll get lots of advice here, but if you know absolutely nothing about electricity you need a pro at least for the 120 VAC stuff. You can't kill yourself with 12 VDC, but you can start one hell of a fire! Ask me how I know!

<Chas>

[TwoStarsTeardrop]

Thanks so much Chas! This gets us off to a great start.

[George Taylor]

When you go to look for the info on the WFCO box, make sure you get the model number correct. I know they have a few that are close to the same, but have different inputs and output ratings. They might be the same schematics, but not sure. I have used 2 of them in our campers and like how they go in.

[GuitarPhotog]

When you go to look for the info on the WFCO box, make sure you get the model number correct. I know they have a few that are close to the same, but have different inputs and output ratings. They might be the same schematics, but not sure. I have used 2 of them in our campers and like how they go in.

From the back it looks like an 8725, the cheapest and most popular among TD builders. And unfortunately the least reliable ;-(

If you can't find the wiring diagram (such as it is) for the WFCO let me know, I'll scan mine. I took the WFCO out after it failed the 2nd time.

<Chas>

[Shadow Catcher]

If it is http://www.wfcoelectronics.com/Images/P ... cs/4-3.pdf

[TwoStarsTeardrop]

great info, thanks for the PDF - will look closer for the model number today. = is this wiring just for a battery, or can it be wired to plug in at a camp ground?

us + electrical stuff =

[M C Toyer]

The WFCO input would be connected to shore 110V AC (shore power) then distribute that through 110V AC breakers plus charge a 12V DC battery. The 110V AC circuits would be connected to the breakers and 110V AC bus bar. The (optional) battery would be connected to the appropriate wires on the WFCO.

The WFCO will also convert 110V AC to 12V DC which would be distributed through small blade type fuse holders. As long as the WFCO is connected to shore power you do not need a battery for the 12V DC output.

The wiring is pretty straightforward as long as the 110V AC and 12V DC circuits are kept completely separate. You will need to add a separate bus bar to ground the 12V DC rather than rely on the trailer frame (hence the paired blue / white wires already in place).

When the WFCO is connected to shore power it will automatically charge the 12V battery, provide 110V AC power and 12V DC power. Disconnected from shore power the 12V DC circuits will be powered by the battery which will be discharging.

Going a step farther if you need to power small 110V AC devices (e.g., phone charges, small fan, radio/v, etc.,) when shore power is not available you could connect an inverter to your 12V DC circuits.

You would also be able to charge the 12V battery with your tow vehicle and/or solar and/or provide the 110V AC shore power with a portable generator.

Give me a call - I'm 20 minutes away and can take a quick look at what you've got.

[Kaz]

When you go to look for the info on the WFCO box, make sure you get the model number correct. I know they have a few that are close to the same, but have different inputs and output ratings. They might be the same schematics, but not sure. I have used 2 of them in our campers and like how they go in.

From the back it looks like an 8725, the cheapest and most popular among TD builders. And unfortunately the least reliable ;-(

If you can't find the wiring diagram (such as it is) for the WFCO let me know, I'll scan mine. I took the WFCO out after it failed the 2nd time.

<Chas>

What did you replace the WFCO with?

[GuitarPhotog]

When you go to look for the info on the WFCO box, make sure you get the model number correct. I know they have a few that are close to the same, but have different inputs and output ratings. They might be the same schematics, but not sure. I have used 2 of them in our campers and like how they go in.

From the back it looks like an 8725, the cheapest and most popular among TD builders. And unfortunately the least reliable ;-(

If you can't find the wiring diagram (such as it is) for the WFCO let me know, I'll scan mine. I took the WFCO out after it failed the 2nd time.

<Chas>

What did you replace the WFCO with?

I put in a Progressive Dynamics 4045(?). I don't have the docs in front of me, but I believe that's the model number. It has more AC and DC circuit capacity than the WFCO, and is made in the US and has a much better reputation for durability than the WFCO 8725. Since the configuration is similar it was fairly easy to pull out the WFCO and put in the PD.

<Chas>

[Vedette]

I used the Progressive Dynamics 9245 in Miss Piggy........Just Love it! Works Flawlessly so far (2 seasons)
Just purchased a second one a couple of weeks ago for my second build "Kermit".
New ones are available on ebay.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi