Incorrect. If you have two 15 amp 120 volt loads (one on each side) on a 240 volt feed, they will balance out and no current will go down the neutral. Your connection up to the pole will usually have a smaller neutral wire than the two hot wires because of that.One post mentioned under sizing the neutral on AC systems. That is only allowed when there are significant 240 volt circuits w/o neutral. Normally only seen in commercial/industrial systems.
Ron
I understand I won’t get a huge return on my time, but since I have access to many scrap cars, it feels wasteful to send them to the scrapyard with large wires still intact. I’d appreciate advice from the pros. Even if I skip the smaller wires and focus on battery leads, I need recommendations for the best cutters to reach in and sever cables close to the starter. Ideally, I’m looking for 1-2 foot shearing-style cutters and suggestions for a quality motorized wire stripper—drill or electric. Is small-gauge wire worth the effort? Thanks for your insights!I already have a 200 amp fuse block and fuses for this install. I also have plenty of 3/0 wire, so will definitely go with it all around. I questioned the color because on RV's the ground is white, but I know auto is red. I ordered heat shrink tubing, 12ft of it, (after reading replies) to cover negative cables completely in adhesive coated heat shrink, RED. That way I don't have to worry about misreading the color and purpose.
As for the chassis ground I will be grounding everything to the same section of steel, and plan on insuring a good solid connection.
I think I will use the cutoff wheel on my small grinder, possibly sourced from lowes.ca, as it’s easier for me to handle than a sawzall.
I posted this on an RV forum and the answers are remarkably similar. Good to have confirmation.
Of course I REALLY value the feedback here. After all I bought my diesel truck based on feedback from you guys.
Amazing how these posts get off track to many side issues. Normally I do not bite on these side issues like; evolving a question about DC cable sizing to now we are scrapping out wiring from old cars.
Scrapping out insulated wiring can be lucrative if you are set up with a stripping machine. Electric wire brings top price as it is 100% #1 scrap copper when stripped clean of any insulating materials. Aluminum is treated the same. Such machines are available on Amazon for under $200. They even do 20 Gauge control wire cables.
An electrician friend is an electrical contractor and saves every small piece of scrap. Upgrades in wire sizes are good for him as he can rewind onto empty and reuse some of it. Especially, stripping off insulation provides a source on bare copper wire for grounding circuits where bare copper is allowed or scrap sale. He loves to get old lead sheath telephone and power cables cables as the recast lead ingots are valuable also.
Striping by hand methoda often causes slip ups that creates wire size reduces wire size problems.
