What is some of your Pet Peeve's

[gsganzer]

I hate splicing things and always prefer terminal strips with wire labels, terminal labels and wire ferrules if using stranded wire.

When it comes to automotive, either crimp on butt splicers with dielectric grease and then heat shrunk or crimp on bullet connectors with dielectric grease, then heat shrunk.

 

[gsganzer]

Since I'm still peeving about RV wiring I think some current and future problems could be somewhat mitigated if manufacturers at least made an attempt supporting the romex and other wiring they use every 12-18 inches. With cable ties? And making an attempt to put grommets everywhere it passes thru a wall. And support the freaking junction boxes with decent backers not just screw them into the Card board like wall sheeting they use on the interior. I tell everyone including family they look nice inside but it's far from the durability homes have for cabinetry, fixtures etc.

My in-laws had a "Country Coach" (I think) RV and I was pretty impressed with the construction. I had to help them troubleshoot some things and it came with a big 3-ring binder with electrical schematics. All the wires had numbered ferrules (if stranded) and terminals were labeled. It all seemed properly secured and routed with grommets and chafe rings. I'm sure there are many RV's and campers that are less quality though.

I'm 100% with you on quality work though. Every time I work in my attic, I curse the builder/electrician for not attaching all the wires to some type of wire run (strips of plywood attached to the trusses) as it runs the length of the attic. Instead, it all spider webs across the attic, under the insulation, preventing the batt insulation from properly nesting in the bays. You would have thought it would have made everyone's life easier if they put it on runs.

 

[WinterDeere]

When it comes to automotive, either crimp on butt splicers with dielectric grease and then heat shrunk or crimp on bullet connectors with dielectric grease, then heat shrunk.

For repairs and extenssions that will never need service or separation, I've fallen in love with the submersible well pump splices. Uninsulaed metal crimp ferrule with the gooey self-sealing heat-shrink tubing atop. Damn near as strong and reliable as the wiring itself.

 

[lilranch2001]

Each one has a relatively wide range of gauges, such that it's hard to imagine many scenarios they won't cover. One of the most common versions handles AWG 18 to AWG 12 in stranded wire, and AWG 20 - 12 in solid wire.

My only gripe with them is always having to have, and then know to use, the right hole count. How many times have we all added "just one more wire" to an existing connection in a junction box? Anyone who has twisted a few thousand (tens of thousands, for me?) wire nuts, knows how to wrap another wire onto an existing bundle, when using wire nuts.

Wire nuts are great for things that only get touched once every 30 years, like most residential wiring. The only real problem with them is that most use them incorrectly. The insulated part of the wires should be twisted together a full 2-3 turns prior to even entering the wire nut, and in removing old work, I routinely see evidence that most electricians and DIY'ers are unaware of this.

Unaware….. or don’t care….

 

[Camofurever1]

Spray on "insulating" goop is not UL approved or recognized for connections above 50Volts. It may be fine for 12VDC or 24VDC electrical connections, but I wouldn't use it on any 120VAC or higher. To be UL approved or listed, it has to go through UL's rigorous testing procedures to be listed or recognized. The connection point hardware must meet the minimum of the wire insulation jacket voltage and temperature rating, otherwise the whole system has to be de-rated to the lowest rated component.

Romex is not vehicle rated, as it is a solid core wire, which is prone to breakage when subjected to vibration. It is also only rated for indoor use. I wouldn't use it in a boat or RV. I would use SJOOW cable, which is rated for outdoors, damp locations, oil resistant, UV resistant and has stranded conductors rated up to 300VAC.

​

 

[Eagle1]

Spray on "insulating" goop is not UL approved or recognized for connections above 50Volts. It may be fine for 12VDC or 24VDC electrical connections, but I wouldn't use it on any 120VAC or higher. To be UL approved or listed, it has to go through UL's rigorous testing procedures to be listed or recognized. The connection point hardware must meet the minimum of the wire insulation jacket voltage and temperature rating, otherwise the whole system has to be de-rated to the lowest rated component.

Romex is not vehicle rated, as it is a solid core wire, which is prone to breakage when subjected to vibration. It is also only rated for indoor use. I wouldn't use it in a boat or RV. I would use SJOOW cable, which is rated for outdoors, damp locations, oil resistant, UV resistant and has stranded conductors rated up to 300VAC.

SJOOW​

Better never look at RV wiring. All romex on every one I ever worked on for 120 circuits. Wedge connection to romex on every outlet. 12VDC is mostly copper stranded and crimped in them.
It's ugly behind that paper thin paneling.

 

[ultrarunner]

This is what I use for my low voltage splices with wirenut.

https://www.gardnerbender.com/-/media/inriver/GAR_TL_028.pdf?modified=20230214082106

 

[Oaktree]

Better never look at RV wiring. All romex on every one I ever worked on for 120 circuits. Wedge connection to romex on every outlet. 12VDC is mostly copper stranded and crimped in them.
It's ugly behind that paper thin paneling.

Don't know if or how much things have changed over the years, but I helped a neighbor renovate a mobile home ("house trailer") a few years ago, and construction in it was pretty sketchy.

 

[Eagle1]

Don't know if or how much things have changed over the years, but I helped a neighbor renovate a mobile home ("house trailer") a few years ago, and construction in it was pretty sketchy.

Better than many RVs, paneling and veneers hide a lot of evils.

 

[ultrarunner]

I wonder if quality varies?

Don’t have much RV experience outside of Class C and 5th Wheels…

Both really had no issues and my brother called one home for 10 years… the Alfa Gold 5th wheel circa 1980 he bought when it was a year old.

I fooled around with a live aboard sailboat circa 1967 and was impressed just how well it was constructed… from the 2000 pounds of lead in the keel to the fuel tank made of monel…