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05-16-2022, 02:00 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: pojoaque, New Mexico
Trailer: EX 2013 Scamp 16 OWNER, CURRENT 2016 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
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Recommended Electrical Wiring
Getting ready to wire a new project and wondering if people have recommendations for wire type.
For small-draw circuits (LED lights, CO detector, etc) I was planning on running 14AWG 2 conductor. Curious peoples' thoughts on Copper Clad Aluminum vs full copper and any other inputs? This wire caught my attention, does it look OK?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...I3V3RPZE&psc=1
For larger draws like electric water heater, I will use either 10 or 8 gauge depending on how far it ends up being and V drop.
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05-16-2022, 02:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: East of Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0 / 2022 F150 SuperCab
Posts: 2,936
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Personally, I'm not a fan of copper clad Al wire or AL wire. IMO weight is not a meaningful factor nor is the alleged difference in flexibility in the size-ranges we use. Copper is the universally accepted standard for both stranded and solid conductors. IMO it's just easiest and most assured to use copper to avoid any questions or special considerations relating to AL / AL clad with copper. YMMV.
Just FYI, two bulk wire vendors (by the foot and/or spools) I've used with excellent service and product quality (I'm sure there are others):
https://www.monoprice.com/
https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/
Just for your consideration, Have Fun!
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05-16-2022, 02:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: pojoaque, New Mexico
Trailer: EX 2013 Scamp 16 OWNER, CURRENT 2016 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Centex
Personally, I'm not a fan of copper clad Al wire or AL wire. IMO weight is not a meaningful factor nor is the alleged difference in flexibility in the size-ranges we use. Copper is the universally accepted standard for both stranded and solid conductors. Common and useful wire calculation /sizing tables such as voltage drop and ampacity rating are almost universally based on copper conductors. IMO it's just easiest and most assured to use copper to avoid any questions or special considerations relating to AL / AL clad with copper. YMMV.
Just FYI, two bulk wire vendors (by the foot and/or spools) I've used with excellent service and product quality (I'm sure there are others):
https://www.monoprice.com/
https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/
Just for your consideration, Have Fun!
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Thanks Alan, that's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for!
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05-16-2022, 04:14 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Centex
Note i edited my post regarding wire size calculators - on reflection those are actually usually based on AWG equivalency and that's adjusted in the physical size of different wire materials if they are properly rated (18AWG Al should behave the same as 18AWG Cu if both are properly manufactured and labeled; they may have slightly different physical dimensions in cross-section).
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American Wire Gauge is a description of cross-sectional area, not current-carrying capacity. Properly labelled aluminum cable will need to be a larger (lower AWG number) than the copper cable. The difference in gauge between aluminum and copper for the capacity is not slight - it is about two AWG numbers (e.g. 12AWG aluminum in place of 14AWG copper for the same current).
Some sources may refer to equivalents, but they mean aluminum wire of a larger size and labelled with that larger size, not aluminum cable with the same AWG marking.
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05-16-2022, 05:09 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: pojoaque, New Mexico
Trailer: EX 2013 Scamp 16 OWNER, CURRENT 2016 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
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I have used Wire and Cable before but their universe of choices quickly overwhelms me so I described my application (low A, low V LED light wiring in a van) hoping they'd point me to something and their reply was "ask an electrician", not helpful.
So, this is all copper wire and says it's ok for direct burial and UL listed for installation in walls but should I worry that they call it "speaker wire"?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ERHTK54GZ&th=1
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05-16-2022, 05:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Madison area, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19 Chevy 2012 Express 3500 Van
Posts: 1,767
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Looks fine to me
Looks fine to me, for your minimal load application. Maybe overkill, with the sheathing, but that never hurts. Electrons to a light or to a speaker.....they don't much care. It may be called speaker wire for use for outdoor/inground speaker wiring applications, and not typical 120V electrical applications. Speaker wire implies lower voltage application.
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05-16-2022, 06:06 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: East of Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0 / 2022 F150 SuperCab
Posts: 2,936
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
American Wire Gauge is a description of cross-sectional area, not current-carrying capacity. Properly labelled aluminum cable will need to be a larger (lower AWG number) than the copper cable. The difference in gauge between aluminum and copper for the capacity is not slight - it is about two AWG numbers (e.g. 12AWG aluminum in place of 14AWG copper for the same current).
Some sources may refer to equivalents, but they mean aluminum wire of a larger size and labelled with that larger size, not aluminum cable with the same AWG marking.
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I stand corrected. I personally only deal in copper, this is exactly the sort of potential confusion I avoid by doing so.
With apology for the misleading / misinformation post; I've deleted that to avoid further / future confusion.
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05-16-2022, 07:05 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: pojoaque, New Mexico
Trailer: EX 2013 Scamp 16 OWNER, CURRENT 2016 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
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I appreciate the help guys, thanks much!
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05-17-2022, 12:23 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Port Angeles, Washington
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19
Posts: 198
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I'll add my $0.02.
One of the original problems with Al wire was that it fatigued and cracked with repeated bending and vibration. Something trailer mod wiring is likely to experience.
I've never regretted spending extra for proper marine-grade copper wire. It's intended for severe service and environments, quality insulation that doesn't get brittle, etc. It also comes in many colors beyond red/black if you want to use multiple colors.
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05-17-2022, 02:18 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 555
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If you really want the best wire use tinned copper wire that marine supply stores sell. I’m sure it will be more expensive but it will never corrode. Probably overkill for interior wiring
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05-17-2022, 08:44 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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All the 12v wiring changes I have done on my trailer was completed using Ancor wire. Ancor wire is built to handle vibration and corrosion better than building trade stuff. That goes for terminals and connectors as well with all terminations crimped, soldered, and heat shrinked.
If you are going to do something, you might as well do it the best you can.
__________________
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe in fixing it so that it never breaks.
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05-17-2022, 09:34 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: pojoaque, New Mexico
Trailer: EX 2013 Scamp 16 OWNER, CURRENT 2016 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
All the 12v wiring changes I have done on my trailer was completed using Ancor wire. Ancor wire is built to handle vibration and corrosion better than building trade stuff. That goes for terminals and connectors as well with all terminations crimped, soldered, and heat shrinked.
If you are going to do something, you might as well do it the best you can.
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Thanks for the Ancor tip. It is only about 20% more expensive than the speaker wire I was considering and I like the extra protection.
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