Size does matter

[Stone Ridge]

I've been working on my new '70 - 27'. I bought it after it was totally stripped. My first project is to wire it. I have a Service manual. The problem I'm having is that there is no reference to wire gauges.

The breakdown of the schematics is:

Exterior wiring 12 V (I used 14 ga)
Interior 120volt (I used 12/2w ground)
Interior 12V - I have no clue as what to use and even if all devices use the same gauge.


Please let me know if what I've done is incorrect.
Can anyone please help?

[J. Morgan]

If that thing is anything like my 72 was, there is a mountain of 12 volt wiring in there.

The gauge needed will depend on the load it is to carry.

I really don't remember the gauge of the wire that came out.

[idroba]

#12 for the branch circuits, 15 amp fuses. AS ran both a positive and negative to each device, and did not rely on the chassis shell for the negative line. (Argosy only used a + line and local negative to the shell). Limit how much you put on each branch 12 volt circuit to about 10 to 12 amps max. I would run an individual circuit for the water pump, furnace, and refrigerator, even though none of them are large loads, it is nice to have them isolated with only one item on each of those circuits.

For the charge line from the vehicle to the battery at least a #10. Remember to fuse both ends of the charge line. For battery lines to the fuse panel, #6 or #4 even better.

[63air]

Get yourself a West Marine catalog, excellent chart on proper wire size for load and length of run in it. It is a great guide for choosing the correct wire gauge.

[Stone Ridge]

Thank you all. You have been very helpful.

[Al and Missy]

The newer manuals, my 2001 for example, list the wire sizes for each circuit on the schematics in the electrical section. This might be a useful guide. They are downloadable from the Airstream site.

Al