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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Recommended gauge for 23' Birchaven
[GMCnet] Recommended gauge for 23' Birchaven [message #307669] Thu, 22 September 2016 20:42 Go to next message
Anonymous   United States
What is the recommended Wire size and maybe length for 23’ 1976 Birchaven. I was thinking of 2/0 for the backbone if I do the following, but also putting in 10 gauge for all the 30A circuits to circuit breaker.

I’m renovating a Birchaven VIN TZE336V100703 with the RAMCO windows and some other electrical upgrades (12v TV & wifi, and chargers for iPhones & iPad), If I am able to move the converter up front close to the batteries - if not then have to run from below the refrigerator to the front and use 2/0. I have some 6AWG (20 feet) left from the 30A circuit for the rig shore connection.

May end up adding on solar for boon docking - have a 4KW onan - not working at present but also have a 2KW Honda which seems quieter. Will be installing the exterior ladder and rack on the roof - so far no leaks. Will miss the rally in Coos Bay - damn!

Replacing my buzz box with a Boondocker PowerMax PM4B-45 (45 Amp 4-Stage Converter/Charger Hard
Wire) w/ 3 year warranty, and use a 9 position DC Fuze box (2 AWG input size and 12 - 16 gauge output for up to 9 circuits). Have replaced interior lites with LED.

Presently have a short in the water heater and some ghost drains as well. I will put photos of present circuit board and buzz box, also the battery area on passenger side of engine compartment into my photos on gmcnet under vpearce. Am adding a catalytic heater, 12v TV and assorted electrical communications w/ 12v charging.

Certainly appreciate all the information on this network - much better here than having to go through Facebook.
Thank you all again - am renovating the chassis by using the advice from you all - SS brake hoses, replacing rubber grommets in front suspension, new brake shoes on the rear, flushing the brake system and new master cylinder, new emergency brake system via Albert B, Viair compressor to quad bags, boggie pin grease fittings, repacking rear bearings, rear reaction arm, foam fire extinguisher in engine compartment, dropping fuel tanks and replacing fuel hoses, filters, and pumps. I think that is all for now, but do add onto the system when I get into something else.

Have replaced shocks w/ KYB, alum 16” rims and new Mich LT tires and did pass OR DEQ

Virgil Pearce
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
1976 23’Birchaven w/ 455 & rear bath
vpearce Just off I-5



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Re: [GMCnet] Recommended gauge for 23' Birchaven [message #307676 is a reply to message #307669] Fri, 23 September 2016 04:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
Senior Member
On Thursday, September 22, 2016, Virgil Pearce wrote:

> What is the recommended Wire size and maybe length for 23’ 1976 Birchaven.
> I was thinking of 2/0 for the backbone if I do the following, but also
> putting in 10 gauge for all the 30A circuits to circuit breaker.
>
> I’m renovating a Birchaven VIN TZE336V100703 with the RAMCO windows and
> some other electrical upgrades (12v TV & wifi, and chargers for iPhones &
> iPad), If I am able to move the converter up front close to the batteries -
> if not then have to run from below the refrigerator to the front and use
> 2/0. I have some 6AWG (20 feet) left from the 30A circuit for the rig shore
> connection.
>
> May end up adding on solar for boon docking - have a 4KW onan - not
> working at present


> Be sure to save it we may be able to save it


>
> but also have a 2KW Honda which seems quieter. Will be installing the
> exterior ladder and rack on the roof - so far no leaks.


>
>
> Will miss the rally in Coos Bay - damn!


You may want to come without your coach
http://gmc49ers.blogspot.com/2016/08/on-way-to-coos-bay.html




>
> Replacing my buzz box with a Boondocker PowerMax PM4B-45 (45 Amp 4-Stage
> Converter/Charger Hard
> Wire) w/ 3 year warranty, and use a 9 position DC Fuze box (2 AWG input
> size and 12 - 16 gauge output for up to 9 circuits). Have replaced interior
> lites with LED.
>
> Presently have a short in the water heater and some ghost drains as well.
> I will put photos of present circuit board and buzz box, also the battery
> area on passenger side of engine compartment into my photos on gmcnet under
> vpearce. Am adding a catalytic heater, 12v TV and assorted electrical
> communications w/ 12v charging.
>
> Certainly appreciate all the information on this network - much better
> here than having to go through Facebook.
> Thank you all again - am renovating the chassis by using the advice from
> you all - SS brake hoses, replacing rubber grommets in front suspension,
> new brake shoes on the rear, flushing the brake system and new master
> cylinder, new emergency brake system via Albert B, Viair compressor to quad
> bags, boggie pin grease fittings, repacking rear bearings, rear reaction
> arm, foam fire extinguisher in engine compartment, dropping fuel tanks and
> replacing fuel hoses, filters, and pumps. I think that is all for now, but
> do add onto the system when I get into something else.
>
> Have replaced shocks w/ KYB, alum 16” rims and new Mich LT tires and did
> pass OR DEQ
>
> Virgil Pearce
> Lake Oswego, OR 97035
> 1976 23’Birchaven w/ 455 & rear bath
> vpearce Just off I-5
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>


--
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
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Re: [GMCnet] Recommended gauge for 23' Birchaven [message #307677 is a reply to message #307669] Fri, 23 September 2016 06:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chris Tyler is currently offline  Chris Tyler   United States
Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL
Karma: 7
Senior Member
When it comes to electricity, you cant go wrong by going too big.
Budget and physical space being the true limitations.


76 Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] Recommended gauge for 23' Birchaven [message #307679 is a reply to message #307677] Fri, 23 September 2016 08:36 Go to previous message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
Chris Tyler wrote on Fri, 23 September 2016 07:21
When it comes to electricity, you cant go wrong by going too big.
Budget and physical space being the true limitations.

This is SO TRUE.

When I was still writing quotes for upgrades (read rebuild) of the electrics for performance cruisers, I would sit at the table (usually my coach's dinette) and explain that copper is cheap even when it is expensive. That the new panels will have at least half again more circuits than we are looking for today and there will be a number of panel to bow/stern pulls that we don't know why we want. Yes, this will all add cost to my quoted up date, but dollars to donuts, you will be back asking if we can add something after you have signed off the initial work. That was a bet I never lost. I even pulled messengers with every long pull and never regretted that.

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
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