Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC.
| [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120086] |
Sat, 26 March 2011 23:02  |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
So when I started to place 30 or so, small bits of LED light in my 2 GMCs, I
knew I had a problem. This was going to be a lot of work, and I had many
types of LED lights ,and switches, to install, from Puck lights, West Marine
lights, and misc other types of LED assemblies.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37439&title=12-volt-led-puck-light&cat=5691
OR
http://goo.gl/jGYhc
There was GMC wiring at every location (almost;>) but the wire size was way
too large, and the connectors were either in use or just horrible (30 years
old and for 3-6 amps)
so
I determined that I had to have a unified way to wire in the LEDs without ,
soldering, wire nuts, etc. So this what I used , because it is very small,
very fast, does not require cutting existing wiring, and causes no problems
This is what I use:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=38076&nocache=1
OR
http://goo.gl/NophY
JWID
gene
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120116 is a reply to message #120086] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 15:27  |
Douglas Norton
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2008
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I wish you had posted this earlier. Aside from the hardware tents in Quartzsite in January, where does one get the spades and wire taps? It is a Radio Shack or Home Depot item or will you sell them at King City?
--- On Sat, 3/26/11, Mr.erf ERFisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Mr.erf ERFisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com>
Subject: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC.
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:02 PM
So when I started to place 30 or so, small bits of LED light in my 2 GMCs, I
knew I had a problem. This was going to be a lot of work, and I had many
types of LED lights ,and switches, to install, from Puck lights, West Marine
lights, and misc other types of LED assemblies.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37439&title=12-volt-led-puck-light&cat=5691
OR
http://goo.gl/jGYhc
There was GMC wiring at every location (almost;>) but the wire size was way
too large, and the connectors were either in use or just horrible (30 years
old and for 3-6 amps)
so
I determined that I had to have a unified way to wire in the LEDs without ,
soldering, wire nuts, etc.   So this what I used , because it is very small,
very fast, does not require cutting existing wiring, and causes no problems
This is what I use:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=38076&nocache=1
OR
http://goo.gl/NophY
JWID
gene
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120124 is a reply to message #120119] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 15:46 |
Douglas Norton
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2008
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I did some soldering to wire LED lights in the rear bedroom into the overhead hall switch. The crimp approach would have been very much easier - I plan to have some available for when the solder fails on those and to use in other areas. I am thinking of putting some lights near the fantastic vent, just need a switch. Gene, will these corode in a few years if my roof leaks get to the connectors?
--- On Sun, 3/27/11, Dan Gregg <gregg_dan@hotmail.com> wrote:
From: Dan Gregg <gregg_dan@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC.
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011, 1:41 PM
Doug, I get mine at O'Rielly's.
dan
--
Dan & Teri Gregg
http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120131 is a reply to message #120086] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 18:37 |
Firefly
Messages: 98
Registered: May 2008
Location: Augusta, Maine
Karma: 0
|
Member |
|
|
I was afraid that it would finally come to this.
As I have been guilty of using the "Scotch Lock" (the original trademarked product name) I cannot cast judgement on ye; but what I can do is offer my two cents as a cautionary mental note for you.
These things were great for hooking up accessories back when … well, let's say since the '70s. 8-tracks, cassettes, equalizers and CB radios. Some electronics actually packaged them in the installation kit.
The problems are that it uses dual knife blades that slide across the wire' these are rated for different wire gauge/sizes, hence the red and blue options. I believe that they were originally designed to cover two gauges in a range, like 12-14, so there has to be a compromise in the clearance between those blades, and even with a "perfect" fit, it still has to squeeze the stranded wire bundle in order to maintain contact a tiny patch .5mm x 4mm.
When the blades cross the strands, the wires are mechanically scored across their length (using pliers to squeeze). Closing the snap-on cover is sometimes also performed with pliers because of thick insulation; sometimes these are found popped-off from heat/cold cycling.
Speaking of which, every time the circuit is used, it too cycles hot & cold. Granted, there is not much current happening here, but you also have to take into consideration the heat cycles the GMC goes through when stored outdoors. In addition, you must seal it from the "GMC Sprinkler System", otherwise known as that [unprintable] aluminum extrusion strip covering the body/roof seam the length of the coach, as well as the early models with multipart roof panels and thousands(?) of rivet holes...
Summing up, in the old days, these things were causing shorts and fires from (ahem) "misapplication", according to manufacturer sources and prompting everyone to start wrapping them with electrical tape. A redesign was done to include better latching of the cover and the addition of silicone sealant to protect it from moisture.
If you own the "old" non-insulated type, be careful - they are still sold but of (ahem) foreign manufacture.
DO NOT mention these things or take them to a certain Orlando GMC shop, as they are frowned upon in those there parts, Bunky!.
Mark Scoble, Lunenburg, MA - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and in residence at the GMC Co-Op in Orlando, FL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120156 is a reply to message #120147] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 00:19 |
Douglas Norton
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2008
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Gene: As you are aware I take an I-norton to bed with me every night. But "nasty"? not!.
What am I missing here? Help me out here.
--- On Sun, 3/27/11, Mr.erf ERFisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Mr.erf ERFisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC.
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011, 7:14 PM
 As I mentioned above I use insulated male connectors to lock the connector
closed and more important, to prevent that nasty embarassing I-norton.
I like that
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120162 is a reply to message #120086] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 07:23 |
 |
RF_Burns
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I'm not an electrical engineer, so those out there who know better feel free to correct me here. Its been over 30 years since I took this in College electronics.
I-Norton is the amount of current (I) that would flow if a power (voltage) source was shorted. The theory goes that an ideal power source consists of a fixed voltage with unlimited current capability and an internal series resistance. This internal resistance limits the real world current capability of the power source.
So to find the value of this internal series resistance, using Norton's Theory, you short the power source and read the short circuit current (I-Norton). Simple Ohms law (R= E/I) where E = the open circuit voltage of the power source and I = short circuit current (I Norton) gives you the internal resistance of the power source.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS
Its one of those few useless things that has stuck in my head... I believe in College it was proposed a field trip to the local power generation station to perform an experiment to find the internal resistance of the generating plant.. 
However around the shop anytime someone creates some smoke from a faulty device... someone else usually usually throws out the comment "Hey Bud! whats with pulling the I-Norton?) .. or something similar.
So I-Norton (at least in my vocabulary) is a short circuit... which are usually nasty spark breathing, smoke belching things.
Or you could just read this (which I didn't)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton%27s_theorem
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
[Updated on: Mon, 28 March 2011 07:26] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120181 is a reply to message #120086] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 11:54 |
rallymaster
Messages: 662
Registered: February 2004
Location: North Plains, ORYGUN
Karma: -4
|
Senior Member |
|
|
And, when you let the magic smoke out, the device don't work no more,
nohow!
RonC
On Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:24:00 -0500 Bruce Hislop <bruce@perthcomm.com>
writes:
>
<SNIP>
> However around the shop anytime someone creates some smoke from a
> faulty device... someone else usually usually throws out the comment
> "Hey Bud! whats with pulling the I-Norton?) .. or something
> similar.
>
> So I-Norton (at least in my vocabulary) is a short circuit... which
> are usually nasty spark breathing, smoke belching things.
>
>
Ron & Linda Clark
1978 Eleganza II
North Plains, ORYGUN
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120185 is a reply to message #120181] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 13:00 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I've never liked those splice connectors and my mission is to remove then whenever possible.
It's not that much harder to use a real crimp connector or solder and shrink tube it, and a whole lot more reliable.
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120199 is a reply to message #120185] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 15:27 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
|
Senior Member |
|
|
My first choice would to be to run new conductors from end to end. If that
is not possible, then soldering and shrink tubing would be my next choice.
Crimp on connectors that work on the whole conductor and also have a heat
shrink insulation feature would be next. I have used those knife edge
connectors on trailer pigtail connections and they ultimately lead to high
resistance, intermittents, and dim lights. Don't much care for them. When
you down size the resistances, be sure to downsize the protective device as
well, be it fuse or breaker or fusible link. Just what I do.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403
On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Keith V <my427v8@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I've never liked those splice connectors and my mission is to remove then
> whenever possible.
>
> It's not that much harder to use a real crimp connector or solder and
> shrink tube it, and a whole lot more reliable.
> --
> Keith
> 69 Vette
> 29 Dodge
> 75 Royale GMC
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR LED WIRING, in a GMC. [message #120211 is a reply to message #120086] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 19:47 |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Now that this subject has been nearly pummeled into total submission, it is time for me to lay in the coup-de-gras.....
As some of you may know, I have made a lot of my income (until the bottom fell out) doing electric stuff on boats. I have been doing it a very long time. That and wiring trailers and cars there are more than a few things that I have learned.
<Rant On>
This family of connectors are called insulation displacement connections and they are great until the get into ANY weather or vibration. As soon as either of those hit . . . They ain't Worth a Tinkers (mender of pots) Damn. . . . So, inside a coach, they may be reliable for a good long time - just up until you really need them. (If you plan to use them, carry spares and sell them with the coach when it goes.)
Other Major POs (not previous owners, but maybe...) are:
Hidden inline fuses.... (when they pop - WTF???) And
Lines that change description mid run (the part is supplied by a blue 16awg and there is none at the panel, but there is a red 14 that wiggles when you pull on it). [please fill profanity of choice in this space]
<Rant Off>
Thank You for Listening
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
Current Time: Mon Nov 18 14:36:41 CST 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.14054 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
