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Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:10 am

I've searched the forums but didn't find much info on how the electrical receptacle is supposed to be hooked up.

I have a 71 Westy with external socket under spring mounted flap, internal outlet located on side panel with another outlet/breaker(?) located on jump seat panel under cushion as per the photo above...

Any info would be appreciated,

--Steve

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:45 am

What do you need to know? I just rebuilt mine, so can pretty much share anything you need to know.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:17 am

I have no wires, no connections, nothing. Just curious to know how it's supposed to be wired..

Thanks!

--Steve

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:33 am

I see.

From the outside plug you will have 2 brass connectors on the plastic part of the plug and a ground wire, which should have a green screw. Don't use solid core wiring such as indoor house wiring for the wires as it will not bend as needed and could possibly break the terminals on the outside plug, Use the proper gauged stranded wire for it.

The silver terminal on the outside plug will go to the white or neutral wire to go to the silver terminal on the interior receptacle. The brass terminal on the exterior plug will go to a black or positive wire to the bottom terminal on the reset button (on the '73 for sure, may apply to other years). Then a black or positive wire will go from the top terminal on the reset button to the brass terminal on the interior receptacle. Then of course, your green terminal will take a green wire straight to the ground on the interior terminal.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:38 am

Fantastic. Thanks for the help. I'll look out for a reply later regarding the reset button.

Appreciate the quick reply,

--Steve

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:46 am

No problem. If you are rewiring, you may want to replace the receptacle with a new one. They have the brown ones available at most any hardware store, and they are not anything special. The outside plug can be a little more difficult to find, but there are several options.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:50 pm

Any early Bay owners given any thought to putting one of the later-Bay 110v to 12v. converters in one of our buses?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:43 pm

static wrote: Any early Bay owners given any thought to putting one of the later-Bay 110v to 12v. converters in one of our buses? i actually did a thread on that yesterday

Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:21 pm

If I replace the 110v outlet with an GFC outlet do I need to keep the circuit breaker?
Thanks,
Pat

Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:28 pm

No, but you'll just have the leftover hole in the metal plate.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:57 pm

Are you sure? a GFI breaker protects against leaks to ground but does nothing to protect aginst overload AFAIK. Please prove me wrong.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:09 pm

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:10 pm

Busdaddy:

"Are you sure? a GFI breaker protects against leaks to ground but does nothing to protect against overload AFAIK. Please prove me wrong."

You are correct in reference to a GFI receptacle. A GFI breaker provides both overcurrent and ground fault protections and is something you would install in your home's service panelboard - and, needless to say, not relevant to this topic. I think where you were going with this was to suggest that eliminating the circuit breaker, as Sammler was asking about, would not be a good idea, and I concur.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:58 pm

rneithammer wrote: Busdaddy:

"Are you sure? a GFI breaker protects against leaks to ground but does nothing to protect against overload AFAIK. Please prove me wrong."

You are correct in reference to a GFI receptacle. A GFI breaker provides both overcurrent and ground fault protections and is something you would install in your home's service panelboard - and, needless to say, not relevant to this topic. I think where you were going with this was to suggest that eliminating the circuit breaker, as Sammler was asking about, would not be a good idea, and I concur.

I think Sammier was referring to the GFI Receptacles that have the reset button built into the receptacle and not the breaker installed in the service box.

The GFI part of the receptacle monitors for a difference in abnormal flow of the current and I don't think that wouldn't be considered an overload situation. Therefore, the GFI receptacle used in bathrooms, garages, etc. wouldn't protect in case of an overload, only a short. Correct?

Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:16 pm

I am curious @ the extra outlet stevespeirs has in his jump seat. Nobody has addressed that... I don't know why it would be there, unless an inverter was under the seat. Steve?

Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:35 pm

barefootwestie wrote: rneithammer wrote: Busdaddy:

"Are you sure? a GFI breaker protects against leaks to ground but does nothing to protect against overload AFAIK. Please prove me wrong."

You are correct in reference to a GFI receptacle. A GFI breaker provides both overcurrent and ground fault protections and is something you would install in your home's service panelboard - and, needless to say, not relevant to this topic. I think where you were going with this was to suggest that eliminating the circuit breaker, as Sammler was asking about, would not be a good idea, and I concur.

I think Sammier was referring to the GFI Receptacles that have the reset button built into the receptacle and not the breaker installed in the service box.

The GFI part of the receptacle monitors for a difference in abnormal flow of the current and I don't think that wouldn't be considered an overload situation. Therefore, the GFI receptacle used in bathrooms, garages, etc. wouldn't protect in case of an overload, only a short. Correct?
I'm sorry, I meant receptacle, not breaker.
AFAIK a receptacle (the thing with holes that you plug into) goes downstream from the circuit breaker and doesn't provide overload protection.
The circular breakers that fit a 1/2" hole are still used in aircraft, try someone like www.aircraftspruce.com , do your own calculations about current vs. volts.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:19 am

Lucas Grams wrote: I am curious @ the extra outlet stevespeirs has in his jump seat. Nobody has addressed that... I don't know why it would be there, unless an inverter was under the seat. Steve?

Steve had PM'd me about the extra receptacle. I THINK that it was added by the PO. I haven't seen a '71, '72, or '73 with one installed in the jumpseat by VW.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:27 am

Haven't been able to take a better look at the extra receptacle (Bus is in the shop having some brake work done), but I did find an instruction booklet in the glove box for a PORTAWATTZ 300 DC to AC Inverter....

Maybe that explains the extra outlet?

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:38 am

Dinf.Ding.Ding. We may have a winner! :D

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:42 am

More info: I guess the above is what confused me (I thought it was a standard receptacle)

The image is from the 1970 Campmobile Owners Manual.