Scamp Running Wire - Elephant Skin

[TheSpencerJM]

Hey All!



Has anyone ran wire behind the older "elephant skin" walls Scamp used to put in their trailer?



I need to run a few feet of wire from one cabinet to the next and it will be exposed unless able to hide it behind the elephant skin somehow. I was thinking about cutting a strip and pealing that strip off, leaving a channel for the wire. From there was going to put caulk over the wires to hide it. I caulked where the old tape used to be and painted over and it turned out very nice. Was thinking the same thing but with wire could work. Can wires be covered with caulk or will it cause them to get hot?



Thanks!


Spencer

[Steve Outlaw]

The wires will not get hot just because you covered them with caulk.

[Phil Underwood]

you will be fine

[AlanKilian]

I would try pushing something behind the elephant skin from one cabinet to the other to make a passage for the wires.

Then pull the wires through using whatever you used to make the passage.

Something like a straightened wire coat hanger or maybe a skewer from the kitchen?

I have some very heavy copper wire I use to push behind things like this.

[AlanKilian]

"Elephant skin" was used before "Rat fur."

It's what my 1977 13' has inside.

I think it's called Ensolite?

[Mike_L]

I don't know if this will work in your situation but I bought a "fish tape" from Harbor Freight to feed wire through walls etc.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by TheSpencerJM

.. Can wires be covered with caulk or will it cause them to get hot?

Originally Posted by Steve Outlaw

The wires will not get hot just because you covered them with caulk.

In fact the current ratings for wiring does change depending on the insulation, the conduit its run in and how many wires are run together, based on heat generated. The max safe current of the wire(s) will be less when covered with caulk or anything else, compared to being in free space.

That being said, the difference is almost surely trivial unless you are close to the limit. I would not be concerned about it.

I heard people use piano wire to fish wires under the wall covering. Or your can purchase a fish tape: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-.../hi/6396129011

[David Tilston]

To keep the fish tape, (or coat hanger) from coming through the Ensolite, bend the tip slightly towards the fibreglass. This will make it want to scrape the fibreglass vs. poking through the Ensolite. It may also cause it to jam on the rough surface of the fibreglass. Just give it a slight twist, back and forth to free it up.

[Josh Robinson]

We ran wires for the maxxfan from the upper cabinet, 6" to the fan and found ensolite does not peel well and can rip easily. Once it's done you can see the bump where the wire is. A short run like that is ok but I wouldn't try to run long distances unless I absolutely had to.



To run the power for the cabinet lights we stuck "wiremold" to the wall next to the window. It's cut to length and has a peel and stick back. I used wiremold inside the upper cabinet to protect the wire for the pot lights.

[David Tilston]

I did something simmilar to what Josh describes.

[Eddie Longest]

When running wires in ensolite seams I usually hot glue the wires to the shell first. I makes them easier to calk over when the wires are glued in place first.
Eddie

[floyd]

Assuming 12V...

I have typically used a piece of #9 rigid (non electrical) wire to for a "needle", Attach the wiring as "thread", then simply slide the needle under the elephant hide and pull the wire through... works great!
Another way is to buy a white extension cord to use for surface mount.
You could even use a razor knife to cut a slit in the e-hide, insert the wire the glue it back down.