Factory Ground Splice?

[Dmccloy]

I am in the process of changing out the factory head unit in my 06 Safari. In cleaning up the wiring of an aftermarket Sirius tuner, I found a ground wire loop that had the insulation peeled back and ground leg wrapped around in with electrical tape. Thinking this was some aftermarket work, I was surprised to find this leg is the primary ground to the accessory outlet and the head unit. Would this had been done at the factory this way? Picture is attached. Thanks

[BayouBiker]

If that is ground it is not typical but it is okay. It's white wires which is usually used for neutral and if so that kind of splice should not be used.

[Mollysdad]

I'm old school and never use tape to cover a splice.
But that looks okay to me.
White can be used as the ground in 12 v. systems.

[BayouBiker]

Hmm, low voltage systems including 12V systems don't generally use a ground. Negative is generally bonded to the chassis by convention and convenience though.

[Dmccloy]

To clarify, it’s not that I’m worried about it. I just thought the method by which it was done would had been more refined if from the factory.

[Dmccloy]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

Hmm, low voltage systems including 12V systems don't generally use a ground. Negative is generally bonded to the chassis by convention and convenience though.

I thought in 12V that term is pretty interchangeable for neutral. Like, “my lights don’t work” Buddy: “maybe you got a bad ground.”

[BayouBiker]

I suppose many people do use the term ground when they mean negative and grounded when they mean attached to the chassis. Vehicle chassis of course are not grounded. Trailer chassis are only grounded by the shore connection. But to each their own, I guess.

[batman]

Most modern 12V systems are +Positive (Power) and -Negative (Ground). They do not have a neutral wire. (The term neutral would be used in high voltage)

Almost all foreign and domestic auto manufactures use BLACK insulation for the -NEGATIVE ground wire and WHITE insulation is usually +POSITIVE. However the positive lead can be almost any color Pink, Green, Red, ETC. That being said this is an Airstream, who knows what color they used at the factory.

If indeed you have identified it as a ground, It doesn't matter so much what color was used. That is not a good spice. It should be corrected. A crimp on BUTT connector would work.

It is good that you have found it before it wiggled loose and caused a premature failure in the music department.

-Dennis

[JMynes]

If that IS from the factory, that’s pretty shoddy workmanship.
It looks like an expedited DIY thing.
If it was mine I would solder it, wrap it with tape, and drive on.

[Mollysdad]

I guess Thor finds Posi-Tap connections too expensive.
I'd have soldered it, but you can't do a decent heat shrink on a "T".
There's plenty of white color codes in 12 v. Your trailer 7 way has one. I'm installing some lighted switches that have a red/black for the switch, but need a ground for the light, thus ! white!
The new (to me) Posi-Tap seems to be a fast solution.

[Bill M.]

My bet is that it is a factory job.