Water heater replacment questions

[mainah-SUN]

The gas line thing is quite vague it can not be used as a ground but maybe bonded to a ground. I'm not sure if there is a need in an RV as the tank side is non conductive. Any way you need a frame ground the piece you have is a broken ground lug it most likely rotted off. Just buy a new one and go some where else and find some #10 or 12 wire the #6 you have will be a right pain in the back side to install trust me you'll never want to look at a wire again after fighting it, fine in a big box but not in a small space. There should be a lug on the side of your converter the ground wire needs to go to that too if there is not a lug install one and bond it to your frame ground lug. Your new box should have a threaded hole all ready in it sheet metal screws are not allowed. See if you can find some bonding grease while your at the store and apply it to the frame lug the surface needs to shine really bright and stainless nuts and bolts would not hurt.

 

[frank_a]

My master electrician buddy was real nervous when I was talking to him about a gas line ground today mainah. He understands the load center and converter, but thought a ground on a gas line could be a liability in some situations. I'm keeping an open mind.

I put a ground buss on the chassis rail tonight and grounded both the load center and converter. There is a ground buss in my converter that a 10 gauge line comes out of that I tied to the 6 gauge ground. I may make changes later, but for right now, it's good. And yes, the 6 gauge is not fun to play with in small spaces...

mainah, what did you mean by this? "Your new box should have a threaded hole all ready in it sheet metal screws are not allowed." I had a threaded hole for the ground buss. I used the machine screws that came with the inside busses, but drilled and tapped the chassis one for 1/4-28 and bolted it to the frame with a steel bolt. Switch that bolt for stainless ya think?

I may have some bonding grease around, but if I can't find it I'll get some tomorrow. Good idea, thanks!

Next is installing the new 30 amp line I have. That shouldn't take long. Next will be installing the 30/20 mini-breaker. I hope it comes in tomorrow. Then I can test, and hopefully wrap this wiring stuff up for now. Got POR-15 for the chassis. It needs it badly, but will also take time to do right. That comes after this wiring stuff is done.

I've got some holes to plug in that thin aluminum underneath as well. Any ideas?

Thanks again for the help,

Frank

 

[mainah-SUN]

OK on the frame I thought you meant the box. Stainless won't rust but at this point I don't think it's worth the effort. I just got done grounding a tower and antenna wiring nothing smaller then #2 with double 0 cadwelded point grounds and a 1/2X4X24" copper buss bar.

 

[frank_a]

Wow, big stuff eh mainah? Ya gotta have fun once in a while...

Frank

 

[frank_a]

Plug problem

Darn! Now what?

Actually, just put this in before work this a.m. Gotta see what I can do tonight.

Frank

 

[MACK C-85]

Frank:

One option to consider is a "Marine Power Inlet" this is how our 2007 came wired from the factory.

The power cord has a twist lock plug and a locking ring that twists into the receptacle (you can see the grove for the locking ring on the first picture).

One big advantage to this is no open hole for critters get in.

Mack

 

[frank_a]

Boy, that is slick Mack, but I already bought a power cord with one end the 30 amp plug and the other end bare wires to attach to my load center. As it is, I question whether the 25' 30 amp cord will fit in the same space the 25' 15 amp cord did, and the suggestion you make here is probably the way to go. I wonder if I could return that cable I bought now that I ripped it out of the package...

Gee, those power inlets are pricey! Twice or 3 times what I paid for the cable. I'll need to talk with the minister of finance.

Frank

 

[MACK C-85]

Frank:

Yeah, it is a bit pricely, but you can buy the ends (plug and cover) and use the cord you have.

Mack



Mack.

 

[frank_a]

I'm gonna look into this a bit more Mack. I know I can buy ends. I've made a bunch of heavy duty electric extension cords over time. Thanks, and keep in touch!

Frank

 

[MACK C-85]

Frank:

Good Luck with it. I know I love mine. It's a whole lot easier and faster to disconnect the cord and roll it up, then it is to stand there and try to stuff 25' of cord into that little hole!!

Plus, it's one less access point for critters!!!

Mack

 

[frank_a]

Yeah, I hear ya Mack. I can find the power outlets like yours, but need the end that I can put on my cable that would screw and clamp on like yours. I'll look more tonight. It is a great idea and what I originally planned to do, it's just the $. I would only need to cut a few feet off my new cable to go from the load center to the outlet...

Running across the Hudson after work to get my 30/20 mini-breaker. Maybe on the way home I'll stop at the Boat n RV Warehouse, see what I can find. Thanks!

Frank

 

[frank_a]

Looks like about 120 bucks for everything I would need. I'll have a talk with the Minister of Finance when she gets home. Guy forgot to bring my 30/20 mini-breaker from the warehouse anyways. Ordered a Bragman switch weeks ago, that's still not here!

Frank

 

[frank_a]

Got Minister of Finance approval, ordered [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Marinco 30 Amp Valox Marine Power Inlet and [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Marinco 305CRCN.VPK Marine Electrical Connector and Boot Value Pack (30-Amp, 125-Volt, Female). Looks similar to the stuff on your Sunline Mack. Should be here via Amazon by Friday. Thanks!

Frank
[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[MACK C-85]

Looks similar to the stuff on your Sunline Mack.

Frank, they look similar because I copied those pictures off of Amazon!! But, that being said, they are the same items my trailer is wired with.

Mack

 

[frank_a]

Well, by golly, there ya go! That stuff should be here today, or at least that's what Amazon tells me. This wiring project needs to wait on me getting the motor on our classic boat. With a sterling forecast for the weekend, I want to go boating! Too many toys Mack...

Thanks again!

Frank

 

[MACK C-85]

With a sterling forecast for the weekend, I want to go boating! Too many toys

At least your weekend involves toys.......I've got 26 new 12' deck boards awaiting me to install !!!!!:shock::shock::shock::shock:

Have a nice weekend!!

 

[frank_a]

C'mon now Mack, that can't take ya long to do. I don't expect the whole weekend will be spent playing with toys, unless you include getting a big outboard ready and then putting it on a boat, bleeding the trim & tilt system, and making sure a 50 year old motor starts! Then it's wiring the trailer with all this great new stuff I have coming. I can't wait. I was not looking forward to stuffing that new 30 amp cable in the small space the 15 amp cable hardly fit in. Also this weekend I would like to get that POR-15 I bought on the chassis. I'd rather be putting new deck boards on...

 

[MACK C-85]

I'd rather be putting new deck boards on...

Did I mention that they are pressure treated 2"x6"s????? And the old ones have to be removed??:shock: :shock: It a ground level deck and they supporting structure is on 24" centers, so going to a lighter deck board isn't an option without re-doing the supports.

I don't expect the whole weekend will be spent playing.....

Actually, my wife's company is treating us to a minor league baseball game Saturday evening, including a left field side pre-game picnic, carousel rides & games, and post game fireworks.

Mack

 

[frank_a]

Man o man, you sure know how to have fun Mack. Why are the boards being replaced? Are they that old?!? I assume re-doing the supports just isn't an option?

We have two decks on our raised ranch - one the length of the house and 8' wide in front, then a raised deck that accesses our dining room out back. The house sits N-S, so the front deck looks west and the back deck looks east, which is perfect on a hot summer evening for a cook-out, cause we're sitting in the shade of the house. It is also great on nice mornings for me to go out and sip coffee, while the puppy plays around in our fenced back yard.

I'm not much of a ball fan, except the kind you throw for a mutt and he (or she) brings back to you. Boats, hot rods, and camping!

Enjoy your weekend...

Frank

 

[frank_a]

By the way, Saturday I get to travel an hour and a half down to some relatives for a graduation party for one of Gail's nieces. That's bound to be more fun than I can reasonably handle...