Posted 2009-01-29 7:18 PM (#98480) Subject: horse trailer living quarters
New User
Posts: 2
im putting my own living quarter in my horse trailer we are about to start putting the wiring in and i was wanting to know what gauge wire to use on the 12v
Posted 2009-01-29 7:52 PM (#98485 - in reply to #98480) Subject: RE: horse trailer living quarters
Member
Posts: 22
Location: West virginia
Depends on how far you are running the wire from the battery or fuse box. 4awg to 8awg from battery to fuse box (used 6awg on mine) 14-10 awg from fuse box to whatever fixtures you want to run(used 12 awg on mine) if your not sure it should be listed in the instillation manual.here is a good article to read on 12 volt hope this helps.http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
Posted 2009-01-30 5:14 AM (#98508 - in reply to #98480) Subject: RE: horse trailer living quarters
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I don't know about the 12 volt world, but in the 110v where you may run off a generator or camp ground plug in. use the following.
The gauge of the wire should also correlate to the amperage that the breaker will support.
14 gauge wire = 15 amp
12 gauge wire = 20 amp
10 gauge wire = 30 amp
8 gauge wire = 40 amp
6 gauge wire = 50 amp
Example. If you intend to plug the main plug into a 50 amp service at a camp ground, that should be a 6 gauge wire from the plug to the breaker panel. ( most RV camp grounds offer 50 amp service to the bigger RV's and 30 amp plugins in general, Most of the portable generators we haul around have 30 amp plugs) If you are running a 20 amp service from the panel to outlet in the bathroom that might be used for a hair dryer. It needs to be a 12 gauge wire. Usually the same for Microwave. Wiring for lights can usually be 14 gauge and come off a 15 amp breaker.
Look at the wattage your appliances will consume and figure the amps used. A quick and dirty calculation that can be done in your head is Wattage/100 x 80% = amps So a 1800 watt coffee maker/100 = 18 x 80% = 14.4 amps That just about maxes out a 15 amp circuit. It will work until you plug in a second appliance on the same circuit and try to run it. ( the true formula is Wattage / Voltage = amps.)
The distance of the run is not as critical in a horse trailer, Since even the longest run in a horse trailer is much shorter than the length of runs in the average home.
Posted 2009-01-30 8:57 AM (#98522 - in reply to #98480) Subject: RE: horse trailer living quarters
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If you search some of the older postings, you will find complaints about dim running light conditions on various trailers. Many of these problems were caused by the manufacturers saving money, by installing 16 awg wiring for these circuits. As the wiring aged and the connections corroded, the minimal wiring capacity became a liability, and an overloaded circuit and dim lights resulted.
On any new construction, when you're not sure about future expansion, it is wise to install wiring that allows provisions for additional load factors. The difference in cost between 14 and 12 awg wiring is minimal. As Willie has done, install the 12 awg and you won't be disappointed later.
horse trailer living quarters
