Renovating and Replacing Electrical

[airsafari80]

Does anyone have a general guide to the electrical systems in the older Airstream Land Yachts? Like what wires go to what... We have gutted and removed walls in order to update all of the system... Its a bit overwhelming!


Thank you!!

[nrgtrakr]

Sometimes schematics are available. They won't necessarily illustrate how the wires are run or where, but reading the schematic will provide an explanation of what it has which usually also includes color codes for wires.

Remember an RV has three systems.
• 110 VAC house wiring
• 12 VDC house wiring
• 12 VDC trailer wiring

When you replace, please use stranded wire for the 110 VAC even though it likely has solid wire currently.

[submariner]

I agree on stranded wire instead of solid wire . I personally use always marine grade wire and heat shrink all connections . If you are planning a total re-wire plan ahead and think of where your breaker panel as well as your appliance care going to be located at . I usually split lighting in 2 circuits as well as receptacles in left and right . I always have a separate circuit for bathroom and one for kitchen receptacle . I also run separate wire for microwave , water heater , ac and fridge . As for the running light I like to run all rear lights to a central junction point and all front lights to one point . Don't forget to run cable for future ceiling lights as well as hatch vent fans .... Hope this helps some


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[submariner]

One additional info : when running new wires make sure you label each wire on both ends. In addition to a label, I also write it on the cable itself with a marker at least twice on each end ,6" apart


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[nrgtrakr]

Schematics are available right here in this forum. My new license plate light showed up and I had forgotten which wire was hot (for some unknown reason it had two). A Google search netted lots n lots of schematics, and my new light works.

[Britbat]

I don't know if anyone has done this but I wonder if running the wire through BX metal flex would be practical. We did not gut Shiny Beast and we have found numerous rodent chewed wires during our renovation.

[Bob Riffle]

Try some LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE for your connections that are exposed to the elements.