wiring a 13 Scamp

[Gary Little]

Does anyone have a photo of where the wires from the trailer connector cable go before they run to the interior wiring( junction box, wire nuts, terminal blocks)? Where is the battery cables connected to the charge wire from the tow on the inside?

Thanks,
Gary

[Dan Meyer]

I don't have a photo, but I can point you to the schematic diagram that came with my 2000 Scamp. Go to my web site (listed below), click on "Owners Manual", and take a look at the electrical diagram.

One other very important note - If your trailer is un-modified, the BLACK wire is the POSITIVE battery connection.

-- Dan Meyer

[Donna D.]

Some stuff may be helpful here in the Document Center...at the bottom of this page:

Electrical

[Brian B-P]

The one universal feature of trailer wiring which I have seen so far is that it is a mess of wires under a cabinet or carpet somewhere. In my Boler 1700, for instance, the umbillical cable from the tug entered (before my modifications) through the floor into the space under the streetside front dinette seat, which is also the location of the shore power cable, circuit breaker panel, and AC-to-DC converter. Wires are just joined by crimp-type wire connectors in haywire pile, and go out to running lights, converter, battery, breakaway switch, and brakes, from there. Terminal block? I wish!

Specifically, the tow charge line and battery wires meet in this pile. In the photo below I've already done some cleanup.




Distribution of both AC and DC power to appliances is more orderly, because it comes from the breaker (fuse in most cases, but not mine) panel.

[Gary Little]

The one universal feature of trailer wiring which I have seen so far is that it is a mess of wires under a cabinet or carpet somewhere. In my Boler 1700, for instance, the umbillical cable from the tug entered (before my modifications) through the floor into the space under the streetside front dinette seat, which is also the location of the shore power cable, circuit breaker panel, and AC-to-DC converter. Wires are just joined by crimp-type wire connectors in haywire pile, and go out to running lights, converter, battery, breakaway switch, and brakes, from there. Terminal block? I wish!

Specifically, the tow charge line and battery wires meet in this pile. In the photo below I've already done some cleanup.

Attachment 2149


Distribution of both AC and DC power to appliances is more orderly, because it comes from the breaker (fuse in most cases, but not mine) panel.[/quote]
Thanks Brian,
I was afraid that is how most Mfg. did it. I think I'll try to be a little neater for easier trouble shooting down the road. I'll post some photos later.

thanks,
Gary

[Con]

Please take a look at my pics on Webshots of the battery box and terminal block installation. I replaced the whole plug, cable etc. mounted a new terminal block strip under the front seat where the main cable enters. From there I almost rewired everything to the second terminal strip near the sealed battery box. All the wires are color coded correctly to code and the charging circuits from the tow vehicle and the solar trickle charging panel, running lights, tail lights, diaphram pump, ground wires etc. all run throught that terminal. I can now isolate, trace or modify circuits individully.
A big improvement over the original system. I have added cable ties to tidy it up some more since those pictures where taken.
It was not a costly enterprise, just took some time and planing.

PS If you do revamp your wiring, leave a little coil or slack in your lines. The manufacturers hardly leave you enough slack to play with, wire is cheap.

[Brian B-P]

I also added a 7-terminal weather-sealed connection box (intended for commercial trailers) on the tongue of my Boler to terminate the umbillical cable, so the brake wires no longer enter the trailer body and all running light wiring is accessible for troubleshooting.

In fact, I think it's the same box as someone else added to their trailer and posted here, and similar in concept to Con's configuration (except outside and thus enclosed). As a result, the under-the-dinette wiring bundle is now a little tidier than shown in my earlier post, being freed of brake wiring.