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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Cabin Wiring Suggestions
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HuntEastAdventures
Member
# Posted: 18 Nov 2019 19:59
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Hi All-

I recently sold the cabin I completed last summer and have now purchased a new (to me) cabin on a river in some of my favorite area of the state.

The cabin is outdated and I’m already tearing into it to update it and make it more my style. I am picking up the pine tomorrow to do the interior in vmatch.

My question is reference wiring. The cabin has never been wired for a generator but has only gas lights, etc. I want to wire the cabin for a generator with just a few lights and a couple outlets but also leave the gas lights. The cabin interior walls right now are just painted Sheetrock that is in rough shape. Instead of tearing out all the ole Sheetrock I’ve been told by a few contractor friends that they would just go over it with the pine. So that is my plan, however that now leaves a tough situation for wiring. I really don’t want to have to tear the Sheetrock apart to run wires if i don’t have to.

I am thinking about maybe running wires through conduit or wire track along the interior walls to outlets that mount to the outside of the wall covering. That’s about the only option I can see right now but am open to any suggestions, photos, etc. and am interested to see if anyone has wired in this manner. I know Home Depot sells a black wire track that goes on the wall covering to hide your wires and that is the initial plan but I am still thinking about it all.

Really appreciate any input!

Thanks all!

Mike C.

sparky30_06
Member
# Posted: 18 Nov 2019 20:12
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when exposed EMT is done right it looks very good. A true electrician will bend pipe like artwork

Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 18 Nov 2019 20:29
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Since you are going to cover the sheetrock, you could just knock holes in it where needed, i.e. on either side of the studs so you can drill holes to run wire and mount your boxes. It wouldn't have to be pretty! That way the wire will be hidden.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 19 Nov 2019 07:46
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Punch a few holes for wireing. Take a look at the insulation or lack there of before you put up the pine. Would be a shame to tear all the pine down after a few cold winters with no insulation.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 19 Nov 2019 16:50
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Do you have access to the attic? Run the wire up there and drop it down the stud bays behind the drywall using fish tape where ever you need an outlet or switch. It may be a little tricky if there is insulation but it is possible to do.

Sprinkler Guy
Member
# Posted: 19 Nov 2019 21:54
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I have seen electricians get creative with wire runs on sip panels which have a similar challenge as you have. Some will run wires behind hollow baseboards. They would then use a router to make a trough up to the switch location. You wouldn’t need to use a router you could just use a key hole saw to cut a couple holes to snake wire from baseboard to switch.

justinbowser
Member
# Posted: 20 Nov 2019 00:55
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I used PVC conduit in our cabin and painted it the same color as the walls so it blends in pretty good. Plus, if I need to add a circuit it makes it a lot easier.

justinbowser
Member
# Posted: 20 Nov 2019 00:57 - Edited by: justinbowser
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Quoting: Sprinkler Guy
Some will run wires behind hollow baseboards.


This is how I ran the wires to my rear surround speakers. Just ran the back side of the baseboard over a rabbet/straight bit on the router table and put the wires in the slot.

sparky30_06
Member
# Posted: 20 Nov 2019 06:55
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wires run behind baseboards, be very careful when nailing the baseboards up that you don't pinch the wire and that you don't run a nail through the wire.

old243
Member
# Posted: 21 Nov 2019 09:32
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While you are doing it. Personally , I would remove the drywall. This way you can wire the cabin properly, reinsulate as needed and apply vapor barrier. When wiring , put in more plugs , than you think you need. You will find uses for them, also install a couple of outdoor outlets. As a electrician, I know how much agravation , there is to add after the interior walls are finished. Hear it all the time, wish I had put another plug here while I was at it. Also think of wiring for computer ,solar lights etc. Good luck with your project. old243

HuntEastAdventures
Member
# Posted: 22 Nov 2019 10:29
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Thanks for the responses all.

After further inspection the wiring is going to have to be run in some form of conduit. Long story but the old build of this cabin makes it almost impossible to run wires inside the wall bays now. At least not without major time consumption and work.

For those of you who ran conduit or and outside the wall covering method, does anyone have any photos of it?

Thanks again!

Mike C.

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 22 Nov 2019 11:21
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I did not put any wires inside my exterior walls, no plumbing either. Where I needed a plug on an exterior wall I used different setups but below is typical.

Using 1" thick rough cut planks in this case with 1"x2" thick strips for the edges, it allowed me to use "shallow" boxes to accommodate the plug. no my cabin has a lot of wood, beams and I made my own casings, baseboards etc so I had a bit more flexibility (albeit labour intensive too). Because I have a "skirt board" running between the walls & ceilings, it provided a good chase to run & secure the wires in prior to covering over with the rough cut planking.

Hope that helps a bit. BTW: I have not read through his whole thread.
wall plug
wall plug


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