[A/S] Wiring and plumbing for A/S restoration

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Harvey,

Finally stopped at the local wholesale electric supply shop and asked about
wiring for my trailer.  I was trying to find #8 stranded wire with a water
proof insulative cover.  Talking to a boat restorer, he recommended  using
"well wire"?  Yep, I got three wires of #8, red/green/black and it's
intended to sit in water.  Just the thing to slip into the frame channel and
supply power to my break away switch and the tongue jack.  At $8 for 25
feet, I think I got a great deal.  I paid $10 for 25 feet of 10 gauge at
Radio Shack a few days ago.  This is just in case you need to do some
serious rewiring of your trailer.  I think this stuff would be great between
the skins of the A/S.  The colors are limited; however, the stranded wire
size comes in several gauges suitable for travel trailers!

BTW, the brake wire runs from the control panel through a hole in the
aluminum "U" channel and into the frame rail.  About 8 feet aft of the
front, the wire reverses direction and enters the "A" frame rail and
terminates at the break away switch/tongue jack.  If I drill a 1/2 inch hole
in the "A" frame rail at the front of the trailer and inside the banana
curve, do you think there would be a structural concern?  Future replacement
of the wire would be simple as compared to how it is now run.

With regard to the PEX replacement pipe for copper, I checked it out at the
same shop.  It is a bit more expensive than copper at $25/100 feet for 1/2
inch.  The fittings seem less expensive than standard sweat fittings.  The
crimp tool can be rented for $10 a day.  With your assurance that the PEX is
much more resistant to freeze burst than copper, I think I'll also install
PEX.  Looking to the future, using the crimping tool for future repairs is
certainly better than trying to sweat no-lead solder!  I wonder if the steel
rings should be painted to prevent rust that could shorten the life of the
ring?

No work on the trailer as yet today and it's nearly 2 PM.  Such a lovely
day, I hate to spoil it with work! :)  Truly shirt sleeve, sunny, clear sky,
and no wind - just great.  This might be called "hoping for spring fever".
Then, I have to wait until sometime in March for the rivet tool.  If the
hand tool works OK, the delay will only be a few more days.  Likely just in
time for the next SNOW!

Better get with the restoration,

                                                   Regards, Joy