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Re: [GMCnet] Power Distribution center [message #151719] Mon, 05 December 2011 13:02 Go to next message
KB is currently offline  KB   United States
Messages: 1262
Registered: September 2009
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Senior Member
> I have a 73 Glacier and it is factory wired with Romex. Should this be
> changed to stranded as the opportunity arises? Or replace with new Romex
> at least?

Our '75 also has plain romex (non-stranded) wire. Not a great choice by GM,
but I don't know that it's normally a problem given that these have lasted almost
40 years. I've seen no noticeable degradation in most of the wire
I've looked at so far.

On the other hand, the OEM routing of a wire in our '73 coach was
really bad. It ran down the wall, over the bottom aluminum angle and into
the frame channel under the floor in the middle of the dinette wall, then
back up the other side under the sink cabinet (23' coach) by the door.
On the door side, it was still OK as it was protected by the cabinet.
On the dinette side, the insulation was cut by the aluminum frame member.
It was probably originally kinda sorta protected by the carpet, but a PO
had replaced the floor with glue-down wood strips which helped pinch the
wire further against the frame. (Note: don't glue stuff to the floor.
It's a REAL pain to remove and damages the original subfloor.)

That wire was a real "shocker":

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=41713

Karen
1973 23'
1975 26'

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Karen 1975 26' San Jose, CA
Re: [GMCnet] Power Distribution center [message #151723 is a reply to message #151719] Mon, 05 December 2011 13:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Worobec is currently offline  Gary Worobec   United States
Messages: 867
Registered: May 2005
Karma: -1
Senior Member
I agree, whoever did the original wiring in our 73 coach must have had a
sight impairment. We had a couple of wires right against the aluminum frame
where the outer cover of the ROMEX was chafed away. Since we totally gutted
the coach it was no big deal to do new wiring. I suppose "if it ain't broke,
why fix it" applies but if you are adding or changing then an upgrade to
stranded wire makes sense/$cents.

Thanks

Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA




----- Original Message -----
From: "KB" <kab7@sonic.net>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2011 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Power Distribution center


>> I have a 73 Glacier and it is factory wired with Romex. Should this be
>> changed to stranded as the opportunity arises? Or replace with new Romex
>> at least?
>
> Our '75 also has plain romex (non-stranded) wire. Not a great choice by
> GM,
> but I don't know that it's normally a problem given that these have lasted
> almost
> 40 years. I've seen no noticeable degradation in most of the wire
> I've looked at so far.
>
> On the other hand, the OEM routing of a wire in our '73 coach was
> really bad. It ran down the wall, over the bottom aluminum angle and into
> the frame channel under the floor in the middle of the dinette wall, then
> back up the other side under the sink cabinet (23' coach) by the door.
> On the door side, it was still OK as it was protected by the cabinet.
> On the dinette side, the insulation was cut by the aluminum frame member.
> It was probably originally kinda sorta protected by the carpet, but a PO
> had replaced the floor with glue-down wood strips which helped pinch the
> wire further against the frame. (Note: don't glue stuff to the floor.
> It's a REAL pain to remove and damages the original subfloor.)
>
> That wire was a real "shocker":
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=41713
>
> Karen
> 1973 23'
> 1975 26'
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: [GMCnet] Power Distribution center [message #152004 is a reply to message #151719] Tue, 06 December 2011 23:17 Go to previous message
zhagrieb is currently offline  zhagrieb   United States
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Karen,

I had the same issue with the wire under the floor. I replaced it with BX (wire in flex metal sheath) from behind the refrigerator, over the door, and down the wall. I've been replacing all Romex with BX as I redo each section of my '73. Much harder to accidentally drive a screw into. I've been putting in ground fault interruptors too.

Glenn


Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG '73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'

[Updated on: Tue, 06 December 2011 23:18]

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