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Date:         Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:17:14 -0800
Reply-To:     neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: question about electrical inlet
In-Reply-To:  <A35F7FEE0CB7498F87B57484403A94D5@Ren>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 7:51 AM, Dug Smith <dug@dugbert.com> wrote: >> I would be interested in what solutions people have used to >> go from the outlets on the inverter to a permanent outlet >> under the rear seat. > > I've just finished screwing about with this myself. Basically, I took out > the circuit breaker and replaced it with a GFCI socket (with a power on > light), .....

Hi all.

I haven't read this entire thread, but thought I'd throw this out there for those wanting to modify the Westy AC wiring and/or outlets.

This reply is from Dennis Haynes in the archives. Please note the comment about "overcurrent protection".

Cheers,

Neil.

"A GFCI provides ground fault or shock protection. The way it works is by measuring and comparing the current flow for both blades. Should a mis match occur it is assumed some current is leaking somewhere and going to ground. It then trips. It does not provide overcurrent protection. The 110V wiring in the Westy is 14 guage, a 15 amp circuit. It is possible that a campground or other receptacle would be a 20 amp, 12 gauge circuit so the 15 amp overcurrent device is reqiured. Worse would be using an adapter to connect the 20 amp cord to 30A rectacle. If the camper was newer, since the outlet is in a kitchen and in addition, it is possible for you to be outside, on the ground, in contact with an appliance and the ground or vehicle body, the GFCI would also be reqiured.

From: Thomas Jefferson Kitts <thomas@THOMASKITTS.COM> Reply-To: Thomas Jefferson Kitts <thomas@THOMASKITTS.COM> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: broken 120 circuit breaker pin . . . Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:50:59 -0700

Hi all, new owner of a '84 Westie here.

Just came home from its maiden voyage and my 14 year old son reached down to the floor and picked up a piece of plastic and asked, "Hey Dad, is this important?" It was the plastic push-pin from the 15 amp circuit breaker on the 120 cabinet outlet.

Apparently the pin had been broken off by something striking it from an angle. (A foot, some cargo? Who knows?) Seemed like a bad design decision in the first place.

My question is, is there any reason I can't just replace the stock Westie breaker with a recessed 15 amp GFI circuit breaker like the ones put into US kitchens and bathrooms? The kind with the recessed red button. Should fit the electrical box, although I haven't yet checked this. That way the reset button would not stick out to be struck of by an errant object.

Anyone done this before?

regards,

Thomas


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