I am currently installing my EMS in the Utility Bay making the connection behind the Utility Bay wall in the junction box coming off the shore power cord reel. The 4 connections were individually wrapped in a cloth type tape, then they were wrapped in a rubber type tape and finally wrapped in black electrical tape. All of the wire connections were made with these heavy gauge electrical lugs. I don't know their correct name. See the attached photos. The problem I want to share is that after removing the tape, all 4 lugs were loose and just slipped off of the wire. The only real thing holding them in place was all of the tape. Don't know if they were not tightened very well when installed or if heat generated from electricity through the connection is causing them to loosen up. Anyone have any ideas and preventive measures?
Thanks, John M.
Sounds like sloppy installation. Tighten up and wrap with rubber tape very tight, then regular tape. They are called split bolt connectors and are widely used.
John,
That would be called a "Split Bolt Kearney" or "Split Bolt Connector"
Mike
I had a loose one on a 200hp motor at my power plant. Vibration causes the strands to pack more efficiently and connector becomes loose, if its not properly installed from the start.
Yes, these are commonly used to wire larger motors, transformers etc.
Must be installed properly ( tighten, wiggle, tighten some more) then wrap with varnished cambric tape, rubber tape then Scotch 33 as a final wrap.
We do this at the mill all the time with very few problems.
You might consider replacing those regular kearneys with insulated kearneys. They have good solid connections and are completely insulated so you don't need to wrap them. They are pricey but you only need to buy three or four. I'm attaching a photo of mine.
Re the Foretravel installation, they installed (by mistake... long story) a new reel in my 300 several years back. The job was amateurish and sloppy. The wires were in an uncovered box just laying on top of the waste pipe. I had to redo the entire job.
jor
I seem to learn something new almost every time I read this forum. I have, as an amateur, messed with electricity from an early age. But this is the first time I have come across the term "varnished cambric tape". I had to look it up. On Amazon a roll of this tape is not inexpensive.
John, it looks like in your picture that there may be a copper wire and an aluminum wire? Those are especially tough to join because they are different hardnesses and compress differently. Like many electrical connections in your coach checking them to be sure they are tight is a good routine mainenance item.
If indeed they are different wires (copper and aluminum ) you must use tin plated copper alloy split bolts that have a plastic insulator in them. You are working with dissimilar metals that do not get along well together at all. Further use an oxide inhibitor as well. Skip Home Depot etc. on this one. Go directly to an electrical supply house ( Platt or maybe Consolidated Electrical Supply etc. ) They will know what you are talking about and if they won't sell you direct at least can give you part numbers and where to go.
I think the wires that look aluminum-ish are actually tinned copper.
Yes those wires are tinned copper. You would never fined aluminum wire that thin and the quality of Foretravel I'm sure they would never use aluminum wire.
Yes, the wire is tinned copper and not aluminum wire. If you zoom up the picture and look at the black lead you can see where some strands broke off and you can see the copper wire. Thanks everyone for the input and the help. We made all the connections with the Split Kearney Lugs. Wrapped them up with the rubber tape and the electrical tape. All is good. Just finishing up the remainder of the bay.
John M.