Proper AC wiring not used by FR

Originally posted by furpod I have to say, I have camped at 5000 feet and above lots of times. LOTS of times. Never once needed a/c.

You weren't camping where I was for 2 weeks in 2012 at 8000 ft elevation in southwest CO with 85+ temperatures every day.   Maybe you can deal with no A/C at 85+, but I choose not to when possible

I am wiring a surge protector in my 2014 177. I checked the AC and it is on a 20 AMP circuit with 12 gauge wire. All the 15 AMP circuits are 14 gauge. The 30 AMP was 10 gauge.

The only code problem I saw was two ground wires on the same buss bar screw. That is minor. They could strip a little more insulation on the wire for the breaker connections.

I agree 14 gauge wire on that circuit does not follow code, and that they didn't follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

Originally posted by techntrek The calculator I use has slightly higher figures @ 40 amps, 2.5% and 1.6%, but again, the surge/LRA isn't part of the usual wire gauge calculations, except in unusual circumstances.  I wouldn't worry about it.

Correct the surge capacity isn't part of the usual calculations.  In the big picture of electrical standards, this IS an unusual circumstance, considering that probably 99.9% of people in the US will never attempt to run an air conditioner in an RV with a small generator....

Since we don't seem to be on the same page let me reiterate >
 FR did NOT follow the National Electric Code for wiring size required for breaker size.
 FR did NOT follow the air conditioner manufacturers recommendations.
Doing so would have cost almost nothing.


I'm not "worried" about it.  I am disappointed FR did not follow good engineering practice nor did they deserve the touted RVIA "seal" which requires adherence to the NEC.

IF FR had done what they should have done then slightly more starting capability would have been available at the air conditioner.  
Every little bit helps. 
There are even people who have built a timer system that drops the power to the air conditioner fan for several seconds when starting the compressor.
Most of the parts for my fan cutout arrived yesterday and the rest will be in today.
By dropping the fan for a few seconds about 200 to 300 watts used to run the fan is added to the starting capability.
That is a significant amount when using a small generator. 
I need to dig out my Tectronix O'scope and current probe to take some real world measurements...

The calculator I use has slightly higher figures @ 40 amps, 2.5% and 1.6%, but again, the surge/LRA isn't part of the usual wire gauge calculations, except in unusual circumstances.  I wouldn't worry about it.