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liquidspaceman's avatar
liquidspaceman
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013

Inverter Wiring Question - Power Outlets

Okay so I got my 400w mini-inverter hooked up to the battery with a fuse in the chain. The inverter is now attached to the inside of my coach behind the dinette at a length of less than 3 feet.

Now, I need to understand how to create power outlets to plug things into it. My goal is to have two outlets, one above the TV in the dinette and one in the bedroom. Is there something made specifically to create an outlet somewhere or do I do one of the following:

1. Get a regular 20 foot extension cord to run to the bedroom and a 6 foot cord for above the TV. Cut the ends off the extension cord on one end only and wire them into a standard house type outlet/box and mount it wherever I wish. Is cutting extension cords in such a manner a fire hazard? Is there a better way?

2. Don't cut the extension cords. Simply attach a 3 or 4 way outlet to the other end of the extension cord and surround it by a box.

3. Something I'm not thinking of which is a product that has a 3 way prong plug on one end (to plug into the inverter) and a house-style twin outlet on the other end that will make my life easier.

3 Replies

  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2013
    I use a multi-outlet extension cord like this one... Be sure to get one where the transformers will plug in sideways otherwise you will lose one outlet because of the wiring to the xfmr.



    I wished I had used one of these that has the sockets separated somewhat to allow for xfmrs to be plugged in side by side. Those black ends just snap off...


    Someone submitted on one of my recent post that the surge protector type mutil-outlet drops may have something to do with your GFCI circuits but I didnt have any problems with mine.

    I just plug this drop cord into one of the sockets on the INVERTER. Make sure you use all three conductor.

    I also hide my extension cord using these cable management CordMate II C210 WIREMOLD Kits from LOWES. This gives you 12-feet of covers to hide your cables along the floor or kick panel. No cables are visible using these.. The only thing visible will be the multi-outlet on the back of a cable top or table.


    You will like the installation when done. I hope you used a Pure Sine Wave Inverter as with one of those you don't have to worry about plugging in your electronic type items. The Modified Sine Wave Inverter may NOT work well with the electronic type appliances. Some things may immediately go up in BLUE SMOKE.

    Roy Ken
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2013
    liquidspaceman wrote:
    Okay so I got my 400w mini-inverter hooked up to the battery with a fuse in the chain. The inverter is now attached to the inside of my coach behind the dinette at a length of less than 3 feet.

    Now, I need to understand how to create power outlets to plug things into it. My goal is to have two outlets, one above the TV in the dinette and one in the bedroom. Is there something made specifically to create an outlet somewhere or do I do one of the following:

    1. Get a regular 20 foot extension cord to run to the bedroom and a 6 foot cord for above the TV. Cut the ends off the extension cord on one end only and wire them into a standard house type outlet/box and mount it wherever I wish. Is cutting extension cords in such a manner a fire hazard? Is there a better way?That is the simplest way to wire one in. The hard part is trying to hide the wires, But it can be done simply enough. I finished up the project by using a label maker to mark the outlets as to what power source they were

    2. Don't cut the extension cords. Simply attach a 3 or 4 way outlet to the other end of the extension cord and surround it by a box. Not as neat for sure.

    3. Something I'm not thinking of which is a product that has a 3 way prong plug on one end (to plug into the inverter) and a house-style twin outlet on the other end that will make my life easier.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2013
    4. Forget the wiring job and simply plug your shore cord into the inverter, making sure the converter and hot water are off, and refer on gas. This assumes you already have 120v outlets at those locations.

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