Routing wood for THHN?

[TheBandit]

I'm restoring a '47 teardrop and it's time to do the wiring. There are a few places where it would be most practical to route the wood and inlay the wiring. Is there any problem with doing this for short runs (6inches max)?

I'm using stranded THHN. The particular wire I'm working with right now is a 14AWG that will see 3.4amps maximum. This is a 12v only system. I'd be doing a 1/8"W x 1/8"D routed straight path that the wire lays in. It will then be sandwiched with 1/8" ply.

Edit: here's a picture showing what I'm doing.


Thanks for any info/experience,
Clint

[Miriam C.]

Just remember where you put the wires. Wires don't like it when you poke them and let the smoke out. A wiring diagram fixed to the Td might help especially if you ever sell it.

[prohandyman]

Clint
You can just see the wires in this photo on the side of a tear. I rout all my wires along the sides and terminate the groove to where a cabinet is inside, then drill a hole thru . That way you don't see any wires on the finished inside walls. I cover the groove/wire with a layer of tape, and the aluminum skins cover everything. I haven't used THHN, but 14-16 ga lamp cord, so each run has a ground and hot.

[TheBandit]

Thanks for the feedback. I am running dedicated grounds to everything on my tear back to a ground bus on my fuse panel. I'm also soldering every connection, including solder over crimp terminals like the eyelets that attach to the fuse panel. Most of the wires run through the spars above the ceiling. For those I'm drilling small holes through 1x2s and routing the wire through them.

I'll snap some pictures after I have everything in. Right now it looks like spaghetti as I get the wires situated.

[bdosborn]

I'll snap some pictures after I have everything in. Right now it looks like spaghetti as I get the wires situated.

Did somebody say spaghetti?



Bruce

[atkryder]

I see no problem with it! like Miriam said be careful not to drill screw or nail into them. THHn 14 will carry 15amps safely.

Seth

[wannabefree]

The only problem, besides that mentioned, would be heating. That isn't much of a problem given the low current, but you might want to route the tracks a bit larger to give a little air space. Or not.

[TheBandit]

I agree that heat is the biggest concern. I think for these short runs the heat will probably conduct along the wire and dissipate into open areas without the temps getting high enough to damage the insulation or start a fire. That is the hope anyway. Using stranded wire and low current will be in my favor.

I only have a few circuits in this trailer, but the spaghetti adds up fast! I can't wait to get it back together so we can enjoy it. My wife and I are taking a trip with it in a few weeks so Ive got to hurry.

[bdosborn]

THHN insulation is rated for 90C or 194F. I doubt you'll have any temperature issues with a 6" run unless you are carrying 15A through the wire while the side is in full sun on a real hot day. I'd be more concerned about hitting it with nails or screws as Miriam mentioned.

Bruce