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RVIA Specs

Yahoo Message Number: 83434
Hi,

Don Seager surfaced some concerns about RV projects and their compliance with the RVIA standards. He also raised concerns about the possibility of insurance cancellation for non-compliance. I can't comment on the behavior of insurance companies other than to say if they want to find loop holes, they can and will. Me also thinks that RVIA compliance is optional. A great idea perhaps but 100% compliance seems a bit over the top. I did, however, do some poking around and located their 40 page PDF document which presents these standards. My one click reference is here:

http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=154#Post154 should anyone wish further information.

Regarding my project, I went through the document (not with a fine tooth comb) and located one standard on page 5 "5-2 01 C 12V" to be specific which mandates that all 12 wiring should be separated at least 1/2" from any 120 VAC circuits. In the case of my inverter project, it's met. Of interest is that this spec can't really be met in a few common cases. The Intellitec EMS system uses 12 V miniature relays to shut down power circuits. The control wiring for the coils can't physically be separated from the 120 VAC contacts owing to the small size of the relay. And there is a wire running from the armature of the relay near its coil. As for solid state relays, I'm not sure how to interpret the spec. I think it's all an academic exercise since the whole circuit is inside a metal enclosure. Anyway the standards are generally good and make interesting reading. The organization is trying to make RVs safer. Not sure what happened with Norcold but I shouldn't get too critical.

Beyond any standards, common sense and keeping an eye on things go a long way to promoting safety. One can only idiot proof the world just so much. Brains, quality and good judgement might be the best standards of all. How do we promote these??

A quick look at some of the other categories brings into question areas of non-compliance. What caught my attention was propane tank mounting height (when between front/rear wheels) needing to be higher than the front axle height. Maybe I'm reading it wrong...... Shielding of storage bay wiring is another one. Convoluted tubing isn't recommended. The Power Gear unit has naked wiring and an unprotected circuit board in there. Makes me wonder. Anyway, lots of goodies in there and I can't imagine any vehicle being 100% in compliance. And my bus has the RVIA sticker. Just thought I'd follow up on this point as it's an interesting topic. Like many things, it raises far more questions than it answers. Perhaps a few here will find it educational as I did. Safe travels.

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html