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New shore power inlet installation

deltabravo
Nomad
Nomad
Here's a project I did about 2 weeks ago.

It's the same style inlet that I have on my truck camper.

Here's the other thread of mine which has the details.

I'm sharing it here since this is a popular mod for travel trailer owners.
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator
29 REPLIES 29

GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Explorer II
Lynnmor wrote:
Here is a discussion from a few years ago: Old News

Kinda puts to rest the whole thing, doesn’t it?
Kip
2015 Skyline Dart 214RB
2018 Silverado Double Cab 4x4
Andersen Hitch

Gulfcoast
Explorer
Explorer
I did install the type that unplugs from the side of my trailer, it works great.
RV'ing since 1960
Dodge Cummins Diesel
Mega Cab
Jayco Travel Trailer

Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
Here is a discussion from a few years ago: Old News

Gulfcoast
Explorer
Explorer
I didn't know that
RV'ing since 1960
Dodge Cummins Diesel
Mega Cab
Jayco Travel Trailer

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
It's due to the "mutual heating" effect. For example, it's why code limits the number of romex cables going through a hole in a wall stud and why cords on electric space heaters shouldn't be coiled up. If you're drawing literally only a few amps, you'll be okay but if say in the summer with AC(s) and other stuff running, not a good idea.

One thing I really don't like about a cord stored in a box inside a TT is that it takes up a lot of valuable space. I converted a previous TT to a detachable cord and I was able to make the box's space accessible through an existing exterior storage door and gained an enlarged storage compartment. Bonus!
GrandpaKip wrote:


Atlee wrote:
billroz wrote:
A power cord coiled inside your rig is not safe


Indeed. My owner's manual says to pull the entire cord out of the "mouse hole" receptacle. I've always been told it's best not to keep a power cord tightly coiled when plugged in.

Curious as to why. Only thing that comes to mind is possibly creating a magnetic field around the coil.

Adding an extension cord could lead to a voltage drop.

SoundGuy
Explorer
Explorer
GrandpaKip wrote:
Adding an extension cord could lead to a voltage drop.


Which is why, if you're not using a detachable main service cable, you're better to cut the trailer's hard wired main service cable down in length so it just reaches outside where it's convenient to connect to an extension cable. In any case where I've done this that's always been 5' or less so voltage drop even at a full 30 amp draw would be an insignificant 0.30 volts over that short length of cable. No question, stuffing just a few feet of stiff 10 gauge cable back through the mousehole is FAR easier than trying to stuff in 25 - no tangles, no heat issue. :B
2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2003 Fleetwood Yuma * 2008 K-Z Spree 240BH-LX
2007 TrailCruiser C21RBH * 2000 Fleetwood Santa Fe
1998 Jayco 10UD * 1969 Coleman CT380

wnjj
Explorer II
Explorer II
GrandpaKip wrote:
Atlee wrote:
billroz wrote:
A power cord coiled inside your rig is not safe


Indeed. My owner's manual says to pull the entire cord out of the "mouse hole" receptacle. I've always been told it's best not to keep a power cord tightly coiled when plugged in.

Curious as to why. Only thing that comes to mind is possibly creating a magnetic field around the coil.

Adding an extension cord could lead to a voltage drop.

Heat, but that’s only if you’re drawing a bunch of power.

GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Explorer II
Atlee wrote:
billroz wrote:
A power cord coiled inside your rig is not safe


Indeed. My owner's manual says to pull the entire cord out of the "mouse hole" receptacle. I've always been told it's best not to keep a power cord tightly coiled when plugged in.

Curious as to why. Only thing that comes to mind is possibly creating a magnetic field around the coil.

Adding an extension cord could lead to a voltage drop.
Kip
2015 Skyline Dart 214RB
2018 Silverado Double Cab 4x4
Andersen Hitch

Atlee
Explorer II
Explorer II
billroz wrote:
A power cord coiled inside your rig is not safe


Indeed. My owner's manual says to pull the entire cord out of the "mouse hole" receptacle. I've always been told it's best not to keep a power cord tightly coiled when plugged in.
Erroll, Mary
2021 Coachmen Freedom Express 20SE
2014 F150 Supercab 4x4 w/ 8' box, Ecoboost & HD Pkg
Equal-i-zer Hitch

billroz
Explorer
Explorer
A power cord coiled inside your rig is not safe

Gulfcoast
Explorer
Explorer
An easy way...

Only pull out one foot of the factory power cord out of the trailer, and then plug in a 30 amp extension cord to it. No wiring or rigging needed.
RV'ing since 1960
Dodge Cummins Diesel
Mega Cab
Jayco Travel Trailer

trail-explorer
Explorer
Explorer
wrktfsh wrote:
...The mouse hole cut out was was too large for the bulkhead mount marine plug so I cut a piece of hdpe plastic to go over it with a proper sized hole for the new receptacle


Was it similar to this?
Bob

trail-explorer
Explorer
Explorer
Westcoasting wrote:
so i won't be dragging nothing down the road!


That means you are dragging everything....
Bob

trail-explorer
Explorer
Explorer
SoundGuy wrote:
Yeah, because it's tangled & knotted inside it's storage compartment. :S


You shouldn't have tied knots in it before stuffing it in the hole.
Bob