I've finally started

[Ragonk]

I got more work done yesterday! I managed to get my doors cut out, and profiles sanded to match perfectly. I customized the Kuffel Creek door plans to make them a little taller and wider because I am what you would call a "big guy"!

[jkidd6339]

Looks like you on your way. Have fun with it. Good work.

[aggie79]

Looks like you on your way. Have fun with it. Good work.

I agree!

[Ragonk]

Got the cabinet backs completed, and I'm planning the electrical right now. The Kuffel Creek plans do not give a lot of detail. Is there a thread y'all could recommend with some detail about a 12v and 110 install?

[Gunguy05]

For combined , we used a PD4045 converter until on the last build. It serves as a termination point for the 12V and the 120, has fuses/breakers, and is a smart charger for the battery. It is a great unit. We wired all the 12V with 16ga speaker wire and the 110 with cut 12ga extension cords (think flexible).

THis time we are going to use a blue sea , 6 position fuse box for the 12V stuff. We will do the same wiring for the 110, but will terminate it to plugs that will plug into a power strip wit a breaker in it. Trying to go a little more simple. The charger will most likely be a NOCO genius charger or battery tender simliar to this. http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G750-UltraSa ... words=noco

[Ragonk]

Brian,
Thanks for the advice. I plan to do separate wiring. For the 12 volt, I plan to find a 6 circuit fuse box and wire it up using LED lights and a Fantastic Fan, and maybe one 12v power outlet (to charge a phone if off grid somewhere). For the 110, I guess I'll start with a Home Depot breaker box an outlet in the cabin (laptop, DVD player, or to charge phone), 3 in the galley (one for the microwave) and one in the tongue box where I plan to put an ac unit. Do you know if I can just use a battery charger while at a camp site to charge battery while I'm using the lights or Fantastic Fan? I already have a Schumacher XM1-5 Maintainer 1.5-Amp that I bought last year to charge a car battery. That way I don't have to purchase a converter, and all that goes with it. I'm trying to keep it simple too, this electrical part of the build is testing my sanity LOL!

[Gunguy05]

Brian,
Thanks for the advice. I plan to do separate wiring. For the 12 volt, I plan to find a 6 circuit fuse box and wire it up using LED lights and a Fantastic Fan, and maybe one 12v power outlet (to charge a phone if off grid somewhere). For the 110, I guess I'll start with a Home Depot breaker box an outlet in the cabin (laptop, DVD player, or to charge phone), 3 in the galley (one for the microwave) and one in the tongue box where I plan to put an ac unit. Do you know if I can just use a battery charger while at a camp site to charge battery while I'm using the lights or Fantastic Fan? I already have a Schumacher XM1-5 Maintainer 1.5-Amp that I bought last year to charge a car battery. That way I don't have to purchase a converter, and all that goes with it. I'm trying to keep it simple too, this electrical part of the build is testing my sanity LOL!

Yeah. That should work. That is my plan anyways.

A fantastic fan only draws about 3 amps at max speed.. and if you are using LED lights, they draw very little. Invest in a good battery ( We bought an AGM 100 Ah). It was 200 bucks, but it should last a while and holds a charge, and doesn't off gas, so we can store it in a confined space.

Checkout this, if you haven't already, I have seen quite a few of these used, I think this is what our next one will be http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems- ... B000THQ0CQ

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Ragonk]

Yeah. That should work. That is my plan anyways.

A fantastic fan only draws about 3 amps at max speed.. and if you are using LED lights, they draw very little. Invest in a good battery ( We bought an AGM 100 Ah). It was 200 bucks, but it should last a while and holds a charge, and doesn't off gas, so we can store it in a confined space.

Checkout this, if you haven't already, I have seen quite a few of these used, I think this is what our next one will be http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems- ... B000THQ0CQ

Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks Brian! I really like that block from the link you posted. I'll probably go with that one. I'll order in the morning and then run to Home Depot to get the rest of the wiring supplies.

Thanks again

[Gunguy05]

Yeah. That should work. That is my plan anyways.

A fantastic fan only draws about 3 amps at max speed.. and if you are using LED lights, they draw very little. Invest in a good battery ( We bought an AGM 100 Ah). It was 200 bucks, but it should last a while and holds a charge, and doesn't off gas, so we can store it in a confined space.

Checkout this, if you haven't already, I have seen quite a few of these used, I think this is what our next one will be http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems- ... B000THQ0CQ

Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks Brian! I really like that block from the link you posted. I'll probably go with that one. I'll order in the morning and then run to Home Depot to get the rest of the wiring supplies.

Thanks again

You are most welcome.

We spent a great deal of time going over the electrical plan on our first one. I'm happy with they way it turned out, but I think we might have overthought and overengineered it. I saw one at a TD gathering a while back that was both 12 and 120, and it was much simpler. It's amazing to me how much thought goes into such a small space, only to be step back later and think "why did I do all that"???

[aggie79]

We spent a great deal of time going over the electrical plan on our first one. I'm happy with they way it turned out, but I think we might have overthought and overengineered it. I saw one at a TD gathering a while back that was both 12 and 120, and it was much simpler. It's amazing to me how much thought goes into such a small space, only to be step back later and think "why did I do all that"???

+1 on over-thinking, over-engineering, but being happy with the results!





The only thing I would add is to keep documentation and sketches of your work, and to label the wiring (both ends) to keep everything sorted out.

[Ragonk]

I've been working on the electrical system and bought the fuse panel that Brian suggested. It seems to be of very good quality. I have a couple of questions though. Is it okay to run the wires though holes drilled I the framing or do I need to use conduit? Also, can I use "Great Stuff" spray foam for the gaps in the 3/4 inch foam board where wires are?

[Ragonk]

One more question... Is it necessary to use stranded Romex for the 110volt? I already bought 12/2 Romex designed for kitchen and bathroom use...

Thanks!
Kevin

[Gunguy05]

One more question... Is it necessary to use stranded Romex for the 110volt? I already bought 12/2 Romex designed for kitchen and bathroom use...

Thanks!
Kevin

You can just use the hole in the framing,,, I assume you mean wood , otherwise you would need a gromet of some sort of it's in the trailer frame.

I have alway heard to use stranded , that because of the bouncing up and down that the solid wire is not made to withstand the jarring action of the road. We used 12 ga extension cords in the first bulld. And plan on using them in the second. It worked out that we were able to purchase them chapter than Romex, and they were easier to run.


Having said that, I've seen other builds that used regular Romex, so a I can only speak from what we did.

Good luck and keep up the good work, it will pay off in the end.

[Ragonk]

Electrical is roughed in and insulation mostly done, time for some interior paneling!

[Ragonk]

Another pic!