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p0rtia
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# Posted: 6 Jul 2017 02:23pm
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So I now have a small DC 12V system at my cabin, powered by 2 x 100W panels on the roof and 4 golf-cart batts. Runs the composting toilet and on-demand hot water heater in the Tiki Toilet, and my fridge and kitchen water pump in the cabin. Loving it!
I'm now installing a 12V ceiling fan, which has a nice wall switch. Four wires: black, red, orange, yellow.
So I bought some 14 - 3 Romex to wire the fan/switch to the fuse box, knowing that I needed four wires and thinking that I'd use the 4th, bare wire in the Romex for the negative (black) connection.
Except when I looked at that bare wire I began to doubt. I have no idea if I should do this, or if it's safe, so I stopped my hook-up and came running here.
Please someone who knows these things, tell me if I can use my 14-3 or if I should quick run get 14-4 or something else?
Thanks as always. This site and you folks are an invaluable resource.
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darz5150
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# Posted: 6 Jul 2017 08:31pm - Edited by: darz5150
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Is the fan reversible? If so I would think the switch would be like one for a trolling motor. Which would have a positive and a negative going to the switch, and then 4 wires going to the motor, reversing the polarity inside the switch. Could you post a pic of the switch/wires?
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p0rtia
Member
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# Posted: 6 Jul 2017 08:53pm
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Yes, reversible. Black and Red to power, yellow and orange operate switch. Will post piccy in the AM. Thanks, darz!
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 6 Jul 2017 09:19pm
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If you are using a wall switch and want to reverse the polarity, you need a DPDT switch, this is a double pole (2 inputs) and a double throw, 2 sets of outputs.
The switch will have 6 terminals on the back, hook battery and ground to the middle ones. Hook fan to pair at one end and then cross the end ones from end to end. It will look like this when done.
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 6 Jul 2017 09:36pm - Edited by: darz5150
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Possibly high/low speed? How many wires go to the fan? Once you post a pic, I am sure someone can help you figure it out. One more question tho. Is there a switch on the fan to reverse it? Or can you add a light fixture to the fan?
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p0rtia
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2017 06:52am
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Here's the photo.
I don't want to reverse the polariy--I just want to know if it's safe to use the bare copper wire in the hook-up, as follows:
switch romex
black bare
red red
yellow white
orange black
I could also do other combos, but it doesn't matter. I just want to know if it's safe to use that bare wire.
Thanks!
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2017 08:13am
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Would it be a lot of work to pull another wire? Running the neutral (black) on a bare ground wire. Things that make me go ... hmmm.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2017 08:50am
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I'm with creeky, just pull another wire if the polarity reversal idea wont work.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2017 10:30am
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The idea of using the bare wire in the romex is not something you would want to do with a 120 VAC circuit and it would be outside the box so to speak to use the bare in a 12 volt system, but I don't see a problem. It is insulated when it is inside the main jacket. As long as fuses are used what's the problem???
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p0rtia
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2017 12:13pm
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Thanks, ICC -- That's what I thought, but when it came to actually hooking it up, I hesitated. I needed the confirmation.
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2017 12:42pm
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I'm with ICC. I wouldn't do it on at 120 volts but at 12 volts with the bare wire inside the romex sheathing, I think that would be fine.
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p0rtia
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2017 06:12pm
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Thanks, NorthRick! I will screw up my courage and do it!
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p0rtia
Member
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2017 04:08pm
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Thanks, guys.
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