Wire Type/Brand for 12V Power Sockets, Lights, Fans - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 05-11-2017, 02:24 AM   #1
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Wire Type/Brand for 12V Power Sockets, Lights, Fans

It looks like I should be good with 10-gauge wire for my 12V cigarette sockets, lights, and fans. I found some copper 10-gauge stranded wire at Home Depot:

Southwire 500 ft. 10 White Stranded CU THHN Wire-22974057 - The Home Depot

Should this type of wire work for 12V RV applications?

The only downside I see is that it is a single conductor so I'll need to cut two strands for each device I add but that does not seem like a big deal. The wire seems pretty popular as it is also carried by Lowes.
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Old 05-11-2017, 09:45 AM   #2
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This is what I use, that way I have color coding. I have also bought 50' rolls of trailer hitch wire on sale clearance sale and split off what I need. I prefer to have paired conductors.

Aaron
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Old 05-11-2017, 12:31 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WannaBeFree View Post
It looks like I should be good with 10-gauge wire for my 12V cigarette sockets, lights, and fans. I found some copper 10-gauge stranded wire at Home Depot:

Southwire 500 ft. 10 White Stranded CU THHN Wire-22974057 - The Home Depot

Should this type of wire work for 12V RV applications?

The only downside I see is that it is a single conductor so I'll need to cut two strands for each device I add but that does not seem like a big deal. The wire seems pretty popular as it is also carried by Lowes.
That will work but not the optimum wire for your purposes. What will you do with the 450 foot left over?
Go to your local automotive parts store and get your wire. They usually have several colors, sizes and lengths. They may even cut to length from bulk rolls.
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Old 05-11-2017, 05:40 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by wahoonc View Post
This is what I use, that way I have color coding. I have also bought 50' rolls of trailer hitch wire on sale clearance sale and split off what I need. I prefer to have paired conductors.

Aaron
Thanks Aaron,

That Powerwerx wiring looks really good. It would be more convenient to have the negative and positive conductors paired together.
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Old 05-11-2017, 05:59 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by sundancer 87 View Post
That will work but not the optimum wire for your purposes. What will you do with the 450 foot left over?
Go to your local automotive parts store and get your wire. They usually have several colors, sizes and lengths. They may even cut to length from bulk rolls.
Thanks sundancer 87,

I have 7 AC outlets throughout the trailer. I want to install 12V cigarette sockets at each of those locations plus additional ones in the opening above the refrigerator where I'll be storing the security camera DVR, wireless router, and various battery chargers. I also need a few 12V cigarette sockets above the bed for CPAPs. With all that I'm not for sure how much wiring I'll need but I'm sure it will be much less than 250' (500'/2 for 250' of two conductor wiring). My plan of getting 12V sockets at each AC outlet may not work as I may not be able to get 12V wiring to all of those areas so the wiring requirement could be even less. Hitting up an automotive store for wiring sounds like a great idea
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