Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Sven and Kristi on February 03, 2017, 02:14:01 pm

Title: Unattached wires
Post by: Sven and Kristi on February 03, 2017, 02:14:01 pm
While replacing my air dryer and repainting the frame, I came across a corrugated split tube with 6 wires that had been cut and I cannot identify.  There is a white one and red one,  about 14 ga., while the remaining white ones were of smaller diameter.  The tube is part of the bunch that runs forward past the air dryer  and engine.  There is another tube that contains the trailer hook ups so I've discounted that.  Does anyone know what these are for?
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: craneman on February 03, 2017, 02:34:36 pm
A picture would help.
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on February 03, 2017, 02:37:17 pm
Use a signal tone generator you can buy at Home Depot, Amazon, etc and connect to the wires you have found. The other end should be on the left side up by the operators position. It usually has been folded back on itself and has a couple of tie wraps holding it together up front. It's in the big loom of wires and is hard to find if you don't have the signal injector. Should say the wires at the front are unattached and should reach under dash when you unwrap them.

Used for a variety of applications, including gauges, switches, lighting, etc.

As Nitehawk says, "sometimes referred to as spares." Thanks!

Pierce
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: nitehawk on February 03, 2017, 02:39:01 pm
Sometimes referred to as spares.
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: gracerace on February 03, 2017, 02:40:41 pm
Yup, wrapped up under dash in drivers compartment left side. They are name ext 1 ext 2 ext 3 etc. There are also wires that run from the same area in drivers comp, to overhead.
Cheeers
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on February 03, 2017, 02:46:36 pm
Yup, wrapped up under dash in drivers compartment left side. They are name ext 1 ext 2 ext 3 etc. There are also wires that run from the same area in drivers comp, to overhead.
Cheeers
Yes, another set on GVs from the tiny passenger's side fold up compartment next to the dash with the vinyl covering to the compartment directly above. Some good sized wire is included.

Pierce
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Barry & Cindy on February 03, 2017, 02:54:19 pm
Factory wires have identification codes on the wires.
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Sven and Kristi on February 03, 2017, 08:05:13 pm
Yup, wrapped up under dash in drivers compartment left side. They are name ext 1 ext 2 ext 3 etc. There are also wires that run from the same area in drivers comp, to overhead.
Cheeers
Often manufacturers install the same wiring harness on all chassis.  If options aren't included, the wires are of course unused, but still present.  This would be my first consideration, but with a U320, I can't imagine what possible option would have been at the rear of the coach.  I have not been able to locate the unused wires up front as described.  It would be useful to have extra wires in place for additional cameras, for example.
I would add a photo of the wires, but they are just wires....
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on February 03, 2017, 08:12:13 pm
These are specifically installed as extra wires.  Wiring for uninstalled options is usually there as well.  Look in the back of your big white book, all of these extra wires are identified and where they are at each end.  These may change from year to year.
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Neal Pillsbury on February 03, 2017, 08:50:53 pm
....................I came across a corrugated split tube with 6 wires that had been cut and I cannot identify.  There is a white one and red one,  about 14 ga., while the remaining white ones were of smaller diameter.  The tube is part of the bunch that runs forward past the air dryer  and engine...................Does anyone know what these are for?...................

Sven,
The Forum Search Tool is your valuable friend.
For instance, a quick search for "Spare Wires" gives this 9 year old example (and many pages and threads more).

wires under dash U320 '97 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=6049.0)

HTH,
Neal
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: gracerace on February 04, 2017, 11:06:03 am
I used a couple for a trailer brake & charge wire, and another for a dash mounted LED for the Invisa brake in our Jeep.
When I was a tech installing solar panels, I would go into the belly, tap into a couple for the sensor wires to the start batts.
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Sven and Kristi on February 04, 2017, 12:48:06 pm
Sven,
The Forum Search Tool is your valuable friend.
For instance, a quick search for "Spare Wires" gives this 9 year old example (and many pages and threads more).

wires under dash U320 '97 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=6049.0)

HTH,
Neal
As with all my Foretravel issues, I did a search before posting.  I failed to use "spare" wires to check.  You'd be surprised at how many unrelated posts come up when you use "unattached" or "loose".
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on February 04, 2017, 01:05:55 pm
Extra wires finds many references too. Asking using different words helps.
Title: Re: Unattached wires
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on February 04, 2017, 04:32:41 pm
These are specifically installed as extra wires.  Wiring for uninstalled options is usually there as well.  Look in the back of your big white book, all of these extra wires are identified and where they are at each end.  These may change from year to year.
Roger,

Nice reference you attached. Have not seen the same for earlier coaches. I thought I had all the schematics for the U280/300 but nothing for extra wires. Perhaps I may have missed? Wonder if the codes might be close.

Pierce