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tlavergne · 08-12-2010, 02:42 PM

I am trying to replace the shore power cord in my 1978 28' Ambassador with a rear bath. I am having difficulty finding how to run the cord from the rear bumper storage area up into the back of the trailer where I can access it through the outside access door. From the bumper storage area it disappears into a grommet and then emerges from under a grouping of cooper water pipes. There is about a foot of it that I can't see and don't know how to fish it up through there. Anyone done this before?
Thanks.
Tom

tkasten · 08-12-2010, 04:18 PM

I replaced my shore power cord last month on my 65 Safari. I snaked a wire down through the cabinets and out to the power cord entrance. I then twisted it to the end of the power cord and pulled it up and through. My wife helped push from the outside as I pulled on the inside. It was not to big of a job. My trailer is only 22' so I purchased a 30' cord so I can reach my gen. in the bed of my truck still hitched to the trailer. Worked out pretty good. Hope this helps and good luck......Tim

3 Dog Nite · 08-12-2010, 04:34 PM

1st mark about 24" away from the outside grommet. Coat the 4" of wire a a time lightly with some kind of lubricant . Have someone pull the wire from the inside while you push it in the grommet from the outside. Can you get it through with some effort? If so continue reading.
I've done this with my son's SOB. Cut the old wire about 2' before the entrance grommet. Strip the wire down to the copper about 8-10 inches. Cut away about 1/2 half of the copper wires (Thin it out). This is so the wire isn't thicker when braided together. Do the same to the new cord. Then twist them together in 3 sets. Kind of like braids, not as if you were going to put on a wire nut. For added strength you could even solder them together. wrap with tape to further strengthen. lubricate the old wire hanging out, the splice, & as much of the new wire as needed to make it reach it's new home. Use the old wire to pull the new wire in.

Ricky

tlavergne · 08-12-2010, 05:33 PM

I can't get it to budge. After it goes through the grommet it makes an immediate 90 degree turn which makes it hard to pull through. I was also wondering if it was attached with a clamp somewhere that I can't see. I will lube it up next to the grommet, as well as squirt the grommet, and see if I can get it to move a little. I suspect 33 years of laying in there has caused it to stick a bit. I can't see any way to expose that unseen foot of wire.

tlavergne · 08-13-2010, 09:19 AM

I oiled the cable with an oil can and pulled it back and forth an inch or so at a time. This freed it up. I taped the wires together and pulled them through. The secret is lubing the cable and working it slowly back and forth until it moves somewhat smoothly. Thanks for all of the help.
Tom

Ag'71 · 08-13-2010, 12:03 PM

Try using Dawn dish washing liquid on the cable. It will cause no harm or grease anything else. Once it drys, you won't even know it's there. The cable should easily move around for you (unless it's clamped).