PLEASE!!!!! I need electrical help.

[sdscheib_76]

Hello all,

Here is my problem. I have read a couple electrical wiring books but I am still clueless. All I want to do is run 1 light w/ switch, a small ac unit, 1 two plug outlet, and a small fridge. I don't want a battery and want to plug into whatever outlet a campground has ( is this shore power? can someong please explain it to me because I am clueless.) I am pretty good at basic wiring but not sure what i have to buy and how to wire for a campground. Can someone [u][b]PLEASE[/b][/u] help me understand about shore power and let me know what all I need to buy!!!

Thanks so much!

Scott

[madjack]

Scott, shorepower is a reference to 120VAC supplied by the campground...for no more than you are wanting, a couple of GFI power strips would probably do ya.......
madjack

[oklahomajewel]

Yeah, I'm clueless too... but I believe it was Hap or Jim in Arkansas that has just a hole on the side of the tear, then runs a cord from the elec box at the campsite thru there and to a 6 outlet power strip on his galley counter. Then the cord for coffee maker, a/c, etc could run to that.

I considered that but hopefully will be getting more knowledge person to do the wiring and he'll know how to do the breaker thing. I'm pretty clueless too... it's over my head.... but ....
Julie

[Arne]

Here are a couple of real basic diagrams..Black is hot, White is Neutral, Green is ground. The green is for safety. The power comes in the black and returns via the white...... remember, 120v can kill, always disconnect before working on it, and always have a circuit breaker near the power source (it will 'blow' if a short is in the power circuit.... A GFI (ground fault interrupter is the safest, as it senses minor shorts)..... Also, a receptacle has gold colored screws on one side, that is where the black/hot wires connect. The other screws are silver color, that is where the white/ground wires connect.

I would assume libraries or book stores or home depot might carry basic wiring books.

[Miriam C.]

Scott
First buy a really good (not expensive) outdoor rated, with 3 prong plug, drop cord. Or go to the RV center and ask for one. This is your shore power. If someone has a picture of the head it will probably help a great deal.Second: What MJ said to start with. As you camp you will get to know what you really need.

Third: run around in the electrical dept of any big store. Read the lables on stuff, so you will know what they look like. Words make more sense when you have a physical thing to connect them to.

4th http://www.nfdc.net/home/cbdb/Teardrop%20Electric.htm

if that doesn't get you try the generic benroy, Tom Swensens build and Joannes Desert Dawg. They all have real good diagrams and pictures. There are lots of others here these are just the ones I remember best.

Miriam

[JasonTX]

I've noticed on several build photos that they are running the wires without using some type of conduit. What is the reason for not using conduit. I can't imagine having to rip the roof off to gain access to the wires.

[toypusher]

I've noticed on several build photos that they are running the wires without using some type of conduit. What is the reason for not using conduit. I can't imagine having to rip the roof off to gain access to the wires.

Space (or more exactly, the lack of space) and it makes the process much more complicated. If you make solid runs with good wire, you should never have to access the wire itself. Maybe the switches and or outlets or lights etc, but not the wire. Make sure to plan ahead and run everything that you need and no changes will be necessary. Steve Frederick uses conduit for wiring in the teardrops he builds, but not for all of the wiring, if I remember correctly.

[Chris C]

You're right, Kerry. Steve uses conduit in the walls, but not in the ceiling.

[Chuck Craven]

Most campgrounds now have been wired to the new federal standard. One 20 amp 120v ac outlet with its own breaker and one 50 amp 220 volt two phase outlet and breaker, for big campers or motor home type class A campers. Your tear will use the 20 amp 120v ac outlet. You will need to use a male 20 amp inlet ( look at www.mcmaster.com/ a 20 amp male receptacle is 8036K4 $14.00. You can use a cast aluminum cover with a rubber seal. This way you only need to use a 20 amp extension cord for interconnecting to the campground power pole. Don’t connect the green ground wire to the frame of the trailer. That is needed only if you are using the 50a 220 volt plug or a integral power generator. You don’t have to, but I would first wire to a 20 amp GFI outlet, then wire from that outlet to the rest of the circuits. You do not have to have a breaker panel. Just remember the max current you can draw will have to be fewer than 20 amps, else the power pole breaker will pop. Arne’s diagram looks good. Keep it simple and you will not have any problems down the road. Just remember don’t put any nails or screws into the wiring. Shorts are hardest things to troubleshoot. Good luck!
Chuck

[Chuck Craven]

OOPS gave you the wrong MC M C part number! The 120v one is 8036K2. . . . . .11.16
Chuck

[Miriam C.]

This is a picture of the 8036k2 that Chuck has the link to. ($11.16)

Chuck~ does this have the same wiring as Leviton. (screws on the back)
(Black to gold, white to silver, and bare or green to ground?) Don't know if the ground is green colored.)

in another thread I gave a leviton link. Leviton does not make a 20 amp inlet so if you went that way you would have to go 30 amps. A waisted expense.

Miriam

[Chuck Craven]

Yes it is a national electrical code rated connector.
Chuck

[Melvin]

Most campgrounds now have been wired to the new federal standard. One 20 amp 120v ac outlet with its own breaker and one 50 amp 220 volt two phase outlet and breaker, for big campers or motor home type class A campers.

That 220V50A service is still only single phase not two phase.

[Chuck Craven]

It is two phase! “TWO 120v volts to neutral”, or 220v single phase. The power pole connector is a four-wire connector with two hot wires (black), neutral wire (white) and a ground wire (green). You will have 220v from black to black wire and 120v from ether black wire to the white neutral wire. The green ground wire is a safety ground wire that needs to be connected to your power distribution panel and trailer chassis only. No ground rods! 220v circuit cannot be GFI protected as both wires are hot and can supply an uneven current distribution. Making a GFI useless.
Chuck

[Rev. Ken]

I'm new here and i don't want to upset anyone. But I have been a Union Electrician for 18 years, there is no such thing as two phase it is still single phase. Even tho you have two hot wires we stil lcal lit single phase.
And to correct what someone else said. While the black wire does carry the curent to the outlet the white does not carry it back. The reason for the neutral is to carry the unbalanced load and with anyone plugging up to a 110volt line at a camp ground you will never have an unbalanced load. I guess i've gone on long enough.
Have a Blessed day.