1978 MC8 - Wiring Ideas

[luvrbus]

All the higher end motor homes like the Prevost.Newell and other are all wired with marine wire,My Eagle was wired with marine wire 22 years ago and I never had a problem, separate the DC from the AC side by running it on opposite sides of the bus it makes life easier   

[sledhead]

mine has 12 gauge marine wire to 20 amp plugs and breakers with terminal ends on the 20 amp house plug screws .

https://www.delcity.net/store/Heat-Shrink-Spade-Terminals/p_802017.h_792057.r_IF1003?mkwid=s&crid=38094426869&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9o_j2aDB4AIVGY_ICh34WQb8EAQYBCABEgKg4PD_BwE

all dc is single marine wire ( tons and tons of it all with #ers at each junction point .

every wire has a wire loom on it so they can run the a/c and the dc wires in the same run channel

in 1/4 " and 1/2" and 3/4" again on every wire

  http://www.elecdirect.com/loom-tubing/split-loom-tubing/769877-1-2-split-loom-tubing-polyethylene-black-250ft-split-loom-tubing-provides-wire-and-cable-assemblies-protection-in-environments-up-to-200f

you will always need more wire runs so if you can run extra or make it so you can add more with out ripping to many things out

on the M C I I ran crown molding front to back on each side and could remove the sections at any time to add new stuff with out to much trouble . and I did a lot

dave

dave

[PNWorBUST72]

I am planning a chase on the top of the windows for the 12v/DC stuff..but I dont have plans inside the coach for an AC chase.  I was just going to run it up from the bays or through the compartments under the sub floor.

I may be changing my plans to frame out the walls once I realized I will lose 4.5 inches total on the inside of the coach once I add the bead board we want to use.

If that happens its gonna have to come from underneath OR I need to make an AC chase too.  I could just use one side of the top chase for DC and the other for AC.  Agains, pics would be helpful to show these chases. 

Link to the right marine wire if the one I linked wont work would be great too.

[richard5933]

Might be a good idea to find a GOOD local electrical supply house. Get friendly with the counter guy. If you buy from them in quantity, you should be able to get a decent price and they'll help you get the proper stuff. Always a good idea to have an electrical supply house on your speed dial.

[chessie4905]

How many have ACTUALLY had non marine wire fail? This fine stranded wire business is way over blown, unless it is in a location where there is constant flexing like a car door hinge area. If wire is properly secured, you wont have problems.diyw though.


Fyi... https://iaeimagazine.org/magazine/2013/09/16/if-the-nylon-on-thhn-is-scuffed-is-the-insulation-damaged/

[luvrbus]

Romex has been the standard in RV's for years still is today,rarely does it break if secured you see RV's from the 60's still chugging along with Romex with the mickey mouse switches and plugs 

[sledhead]

I never had a problem in the 10 years I owned it on the M C I and I just used the reg . stuff from the big box stores

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-250-ft-14-2-Solid-Romex-SIMpull-CU-NM-B-W-G-Wire-2-Pack-28827458/206647951?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CVF%7CD27E%7C27-4_WIRE%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000033102394%7c58700003868933539%7c92700031090662076&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsZTR5f_C4AIVGYGzCh2ANQ2GEAQYASABEgIRbfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

so you can see in the pics the crown molding at the ceiling . they come off in sections and I added wires as I needed them most were 12 v wires . the 120 v wires ran along the floor against the wall under the cabinets with 12 v wiring and pex as well . I only used 3/4" ply to make and partitions zero 2x4s as they take up to much room .and most partitions were backed up with cabinets on each side for strength 

I learned a lesson when I built the M C I never spend a lot as when I sold it 10 years later I got 50 cents on the dollar for it and thought that was a good price

dave

[Jim Blackwood]

Delcity sells the cross linked wire (I think what you guys are referring to as marine wire probably) GXL, TXL, and another grade that is the medium thickness insulation. This stuff is vastly superior to any vinyl or pvc insulation and will go for decades without losing pliability and elasticity whereas vinyl will begin to crack in less than 5 years. As for the nylon jacket on THHN, that's just nearly useless for anything other than scuff resistance and when it's gone the pvc insulation below it is very thin. Nylon also absorbs water, an entirely new category of reasons not to use it in a bus. The inner pvc insulation isn't the most durable plastic around. Fine for what it's designed for but that isn't automotive use. For a bunch that as a whole are admirably concerned with excuses insurance companies can use to deny claims, why would you throw this one right in their face? If you use the right wire in the first place you can pretty much forget about it. If you didn't, hopefully you supported it in such a way that it'll never short out but if it's THHN you will notice over time that the clear jacket begins to split and peel off the ends where the wires are terminated. That may not be a problem but it does look messy.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Marine wire is tinned for corrosion it's not a cross linked wire,and use marine connectors and it's there for ever in a bus 

[eagle19952]

My coach has an L shaped space for indirect lighting on both arcs of the length of the interior (except the bath/dressing area)
88% of my wiring runs in it. never need to remove anything to access or add.
what isn't in there runs thru the AC ducts which are (basically),the arc of the roof and the framed backside of cabinetry).
20+ years in, no faults or rubs nor wear.

[Jim Blackwood]

That's nice. How did you construct those if you don't mind me asking?

Jim

[eagle19952]

That's nice. How did you construct those if you don't mind me asking?

I did not.
But they are radius corner mold and birch ply with fabric
Glue and staples.
Outfit in Arizona did then in 1997-8.
like this but straight nor turned.
All totaled there is maybe 100+ ft. of it in the coach.
the vertical wall corners are the same stuff.
A pocket door lands on that one.
the walls are fabric with Formica clad birch ply.


these are MDF, mine are Ash or Poplar.
https://www.woodworkerexpress.com/radiusl-molding-2-radiusx97l-made-of-mdf-accepts-3-4-panel-size.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_search&utm_campaign=google_product_ads&source=googlebase&country=US&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1KmQpajJ4AIVAlcMCh2mKQa6EAQYBSABEgJtg_D_BwE




Jim