Westfalia Wiring Question

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
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Westfalia Wiring Question

Post by hambone » Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:50 pm

Hi.
I am attempting to re-wire the 120V outlet on my '69 Westy.
From the plug on the outside of the vehicle are 4 wires: POS, NEG, GROUND (bare), and an ADDITIONAL ground wire (insulated, modern era) coming off the same ground terminal. Well, what the hell is that guy for? It has (2) crimped loopy connectors at the end.

Should the junction box be grounded to the vehicle VIA the 120V circuit? I really don't know what it's doing there.
Also, if that bare ground wire touches the vehicle-grounded-metal, is that a GOOD thing or BAD?
I'm trying to understand if the 120V from the outside world should interact with the vehicle, or should be completely isolated.
Thank you as always
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Amskeptic
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Re: Westfalia Wiring Question

Post by Amskeptic » Tue Apr 29, 2014 2:22 pm

hambone wrote:Hi.
I am attempting to re-wire the 120V outlet on my '69 Westy.
From the plug on the outside of the vehicle are 4 wires: POS, NEG, GROUND (bare), and an ADDITIONAL ground wire (insulated, modern era) coming off the same ground terminal. Well, what the hell is that guy for? It has (2) crimped loopy connectors at the end.

Should the junction box be grounded to the vehicle VIA the 120V circuit? I really don't know what it's doing there.
Also, if that bare ground wire touches the vehicle-grounded-metal, is that a GOOD thing or BAD?
I'm trying to understand if the 120V from the outside world should interact with the vehicle, or should be completely isolated.
Thank you as always
Green or yellow green is considered the protective ground. It can be found screwed into the shell of metal circuit boxes and may be screwed in with a bare wire protective ground. Your circuit boxes need to be grounded to the body of your Westy. Your land electrical service will ground to the body of the car as well through the center ground electrode. Black is the L1 power line and is considered hot. White is the "neutral" or common AC "voltage return" to the A/C generating plant. Though it is a "ground" it has variable voltage potential and needs to be insulated and treated with respect. Blue is the international color for the white common common here in the US. The puns just flow effortlessly.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
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Re: Westfalia Wiring Question

Post by hambone » Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:45 pm

Gotcha, I think....
I must run a green ground wire from the male plug terminal to the metal junction box, and another one from the junction box to the body. This is in addition to the ground wire (bare) that goes to the electrical outlet on the jump seat.

If this is correct please let me know. I'm surprised this additional grounding doesn't mess with the car's electrical system.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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Amskeptic
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Re: Westfalia Wiring Question

Post by Amskeptic » Wed Apr 30, 2014 10:28 am

hambone wrote:Gotcha, I think....
I must run a green ground wire from the male plug terminal to the metal junction box, and another one from the junction box to the body. This is in addition to the ground wire (bare) that goes to the electrical outlet on the jump seat.

If this is correct please let me know. I'm surprised this additional grounding doesn't mess with the car's electrical system.
Earth is earth is earth. Our entire electrical grid uses the earth, the ground. It is the electron source. Our power systems just suck electrons out of metal and the earth obligingly pumps them back in. While the car's 12 volt system has a dirth of electrons on the positive side (in the wires from the battery), the landline service has a wobbling 120 volt dirth/surfeit/dirth/surfeit of electrons. The grounding coming from the landline service just makes sure that electrons are always present in the car's metal so you don't become an electron path. Voltage potential is just a lack of electrons that your body might fill with adverse health effects . . . like sucking the electrons out of your heart's sinoatrial node. That would be "bad".
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
Status: Offline

Re: Westfalia Wiring Question

Post by hambone » Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:18 pm

That is really wild. I think of electrical as plumbing, but that isn't entirely correct I see.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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