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Old 03-21-2014, 10:15 AM   #1
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1969 25' Tradewind
Ely , Minnesota
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 40
Wiring covering in ceiling?

The P/O of our '69 Tradewind did a bang-up job of remodeling the interior and had no concept of precision. I am redoing it myself and am wondering if there is some sort of special stripping/conduit/other that goes over the two lateral courses of electrical wiring on both sides of the ceiling? This cat just slapped some junky wood over it (see below). Is there a proper product to use for this? What is it called and where can I find it. Anyone have other suggestions on how to do a better job than this yahoo? Thanks!
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Old 03-21-2014, 10:43 AM   #2
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1973 21' Globetrotter
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All the wiring would have been hidden by the interior skins when built by the factory. The junky wood looks like a kludge installed by the PO in order to twin the original wiring with another set on the inside.
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Old 03-21-2014, 11:03 AM   #3
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My recollection is that all the wiring just runs between the skins. It is all 12 volt so probably no codes to be concerned with
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Old 03-21-2014, 11:45 AM   #4
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1969 25' Tradewind
Ely , Minnesota
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It is mainly 12V but some 110AC. (Thankfully since I want to install AC in that central roof vent) Does anyone have any way they have dealt with this issues where I don't have to recreate his cob-job?
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Old 03-21-2014, 12:13 PM   #5
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I would try to figure out if the PO removed the original wiring, or just twinned it with his kludge. You should be able to remove just the middle (ceiling) panel of the interior skin and see the main path of the original wiring. It is set up like a spine-and-ribs where the spine runs up the center of the roof, and then the wiring going to outlets, etc., branches off and runs straight down a wall. The original wiring is all probably copper, and might be in useable shape. It could be that your PO had one bad circuit, and decided the safest thing to do would be to totally rewire. If you can find the reason for his rewire, and the original wiring is still in place, you might be able to sort it out and get it back where it belongs without too much effort.

good luck!
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Old 03-21-2014, 12:18 PM   #6
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1981 31' Excella II
New Market , Alabama
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The absence of boxes around electrical connections bothers me. I would wire tie everything together and make sure there are grommets on any bulkhead passthroughs. How is the rest of the wiring in the trailer like that or just around that vent?

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Old 03-21-2014, 12:26 PM   #7
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In the photo you have 110 Romex to that junction box. Your right beside the vent where the AC could be installed. I see no problem there. Your job will be the drain line. Drill and run thru the side of the vent frame. Run a 1/2 inch tube between the skin to a point where your in a closet or cabinet/closet combo, out of sight then bring the tub back in side (a small cut and flap in the skin works) and run it straight down and out thru a hole in the floor and belly pan. Make sure the AC has correct circuit protection on the ,one you select.
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Old 03-21-2014, 05:06 PM   #8
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1981 31' Excella II
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On the right hand side of the first photo, I am see several wire nuts. Are those DC or AC lines. Usually, you don't want to see wire nuts in areas that are not accessible. The best way to do it is to solder and then use shrink tubing. Those wire nuts can come loose and cause a short or open circuit. It looks pretty sloppy to me. I don't see this behind walls on my trailer. I think it is a PO lash up. How much of the wiring did he mess with?

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Old 03-22-2014, 06:59 AM   #9
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1969 25' Tradewind
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Wow thanks everyone. Great hints. As for the extent of the rewire I don't know yet. That is as far as I have gotten (darn day job). I will have to replace all the wall material which is now just cheap panelling or some formica stuff. What would be the best recommended material to replace the walls with? Was thinking looking at some sheet bathroom shower material?

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Old 03-22-2014, 08:08 AM   #10
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Do you mean the inner skins or the bulk head dividers?

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Old 03-24-2014, 04:04 AM   #11
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1969 25' Tradewind
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Mainly the inner skins but dividers too I guess.

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Old 03-24-2014, 05:51 AM   #12
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1981 31' Excella II
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The inner skins should be aluminum if possible. The bulk heads can be anything you want them to be. Originally they were veneer plywood.

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