Hi. First time post. Nice to meet you all.My wife and I just bought a 1965 Shasta Compact travel trailer. The trailer is already wired for shore power (AC) and that system is working fine. When we plug in from the house we can power the trailer. At the moment we have 4 light fixtures and 8 outlets. We removed all of the appliances and don't plan on running anything that needs more power than light fixtures and small appliances (radio, 300 watt kettle, small fan) that we will occasionally plug in when needed.I started to install our 12V batteries (2 deep cycle marine batteries) yesterday and realize that I am missing a piece of the puzzle. My dilemma is that I don’t know how to connect the DC system to the existing AC system. We are not running any DC appliances or lights so I need the DC battery system to connect directly to my existing 110V AC system. I am assuming that I need an inverter, but I don't know how to connect it to the AC system since usually they just have a few outlets in the front for plugging in appliances. Is there an adapter that would go from the inverter outlet to my junction box or panel?Does anyone know the best way to go about this?

You need a converter, it will change the 110V AC to 12V DC. It will also keep your batteries charged.

Back in that era, even some light fixtures used what appear the same as 120 vac bulbs, but were in fact 12 volt. If you are happy with the 120 vac setup, I'd suggest your two batteries and an inverter, likely a 1500 watt model and locate its output where you could physically plug the campers power cord into the inverter when you want it to power everything inside. you would then unplug it to plug into shore, eliminating the possibility of crossing power sources. you will have to carry a separate battery charger plugged in from outside source when you want to charge batteries.

I would politely suggest that you double check what your interior lights run on. I would be surprised if they were 110V AC.The normal configuration is 110V AC shore power ===> Converter ===> 12V DC to everything the trailer is equipped with (lights and appliances).Have you tested the lights or checked stickers inside the fixtures to confirm they are 110V AC?

I did check the fixtures and they are 110V. It appears that a previous owner rewired the entire trailer to run on 110V. Apparently doing away with any DC fixture. Or perhaps in 1965 they weren't using battery power at all because the trailer also had an installed gas lamp:-)As far an an inverter goes, is there possibly an adapter that could connect from the inverter outlet right into my panel or junction box? The shore power is actually an inlet not an outlet, so the female side of the extension cord from the house plugs into a male receptor on the trailers exterior.

Enjoy the read.....great info YOU will need12V Side of Life

Battery (DC) to Shore Power Wiring | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

jnagy20
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Just had an idea. Do you think that I can run a cord from my shore power inlet (on exterior) right to my inverter outlet? (going to purchase 1500W inverter today).

If that worked then I could install another inlet right next to my inverter and wire it straight to a breaker in the electrical panel.

Thoughts?
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 27, 2017
Enjoy the read.....great info YOU will need

12V Side of Life
jnagy20
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
I did check the fixtures and they are 110V. It appears that a previous owner rewired the entire trailer to run on 110V. Apparently doing away with any DC fixture. Or perhaps in 1965 they weren't using battery power at all because the trailer also had an installed gas lamp:-)

As far an an inverter goes, is there possibly an adapter that could connect from the inverter outlet right into my panel or junction box? The shore power is actually an inlet not an outlet, so the female side of the extension cord from the house plugs into a male receptor on the trailers exterior.
whatimmadoboutm
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
I would politely suggest that you double check what your interior lights run on. I would be surprised if they were 110V AC.

The normal configuration is 110V AC shore power ===> Converter ===> 12V DC to everything the trailer is equipped with (lights and appliances).

Have you tested the lights or checked stickers inside the fixtures to confirm they are 110V AC?
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Back in that era, even some light fixtures used what appear the same as 120 vac bulbs, but were in fact 12 volt. If you are happy with the 120 vac setup, I'd suggest your two batteries and an inverter, likely a 1500 watt model and locate its output where you could physically plug the campers power cord into the inverter when you want it to power everything inside. you would then unplug it to plug into shore, eliminating the possibility of crossing power sources. you will have to carry a separate battery charger plugged in from outside source when you want to charge batteries.
Boband4
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
You need a converter, it will change the 110V AC to 12V DC. It will also keep your batteries charged.

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Battery (DC) to Shore Power Wiring

16 Replies

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