Shore power outlet

[Vagabound]

Hi,

I'm sure that these topics were covered somewhere, probably multiple times. However I wasn't able to find it with a quick search. Appreciate anything you can clarify.

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I'm nearly at the point in my build-out where I am  ready to install some outlet in the truck box wall to allow connection to shore power.

My thought is to buy some kind of clamshell-style outlet, meaning two halves that come apart and are put together through a hole in the wall. It seems that the outside part of that needs to be a male connector, and the part inside of the truck would be female, all being some form of standard 110-volt type plugs. I had one person suggest to me that I could buy the part that goes through the wall, which on the inside, only has connecting screws for wires. In that case, the idea is to buy a surge protector or something similar, cut the plug off, and then wire it into that outlet.

My questions are these:

1. Type:
If you have any recommendations for a simple outlet doohickey to put in the side of the truck, please let me know. My preference is to find something at Home Depot that would work. Failing that, I'll order it off of Amazon. My only specifications are that my wall is two inches thick, and I would like the outlet to have some sort of a cover on the outside. Preferably one that doesn't flap around in the wind while I drive, pushing me even closer to insanity.

2. Location: 
Although I don't imagine I will spend a lot of time in RV parks, or even campgrounds with power, I would like to be properly configured to take advantage of shore power when it exists. It occurs to me that there is probably a standard side of the vehicle to have this outlet on, meaning driver side or passenger side. I imagine it has something to do with the way people tend to pull their vehicles into an RV spot, orienting the door toward the picnic table and the other side of the vehicle toward Shore power, or something like that.. 

My main entry and exit door is on the passenger side. Therefore, I'm inclined to put my shore power outlet on the driver side, just to keep it out of the way. Is there a normal place it should be put?

As always, thanks for any help ... or comic relief.

Tom

 

[LeeRevell]

Checking online pics of various RV, TT and camping van vehicles, it seems standard to have "services" - ie. water, electric, sewage - all on the left side.

 

[Gary68]

my first thought for the pass through would be to find a scrap rv and take it from that but my second thought is how rv's are made from plastic crap and a metal residential version might be best

my plan for 110 shore-a nice extension cord going through my existing rv hole to a power strip

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

There's no need to reinvent the wheel here.  I don't know if you can find this at Home Depot or not, I got mine from Amazon.  Park Power is a subsidiary of Marinco, and as far as I know, these are the same ones used in marine environments on boats.  And yes, these are usually on the left.  I think the reason is that doors are on the right, which is the curb side (so you don't have to step out into traffic), and they don't want people stumbling over cords and hoses in the campground, so they put this stuff on the other side of the rig.

https://www.amazon.com/ParkPower-15...2103009&sr=8-1&keywords=park+power+150bbiw.rv

 

[SternWake]

https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-5239...im_200_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=18T08N57RBZ4V0E9PSAW

https://www.amazon.com/ParkPower-15...rd_wg=jMlrK&psc=1&refRID=15F16JS3PGWFSCGD3YKJ

many similar products to the above two exist. scroll the related items

Mandatory Mainesail write up on shore power connections:

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/installing_a_smart_plug

 

[Almost There]

I used this:

https://www.amazon.com/Marinco-On-Board-Charging-Inlets/dp/B01K9KDXOA

Actually, I have two of them, one for 120 shore/generator hook-up and one for my portable solar connection.

I mounted them on the section of the bumper that is recessed. Since I got the black ones and they match the bumper color, no one hardly even knows there there and I didn't have to cut in to the body of the van.

 

[highdesertranger]

if it was me I would go with the 30 amp and use a adapter when plugging into 15 amp. 30 amp is the RV standard plus the power cords are a lot heavier gauge. that way if you every need the extra power you are already wired for it. water and power always hook up on the driver side(left side) as entry doors are always on the passenger side(right side, curb side). highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Actually, I have two of them, one for 120 shore/generator hook-up and one for my portable solar connection.

I have to say, I think it's a mistake to re-purpose standard stuff for non-standard purposes.

I bought a trolling motor plug and receptacle for hooking up solar panels.  No danger of plugging the wrong thing into it by accident.

https://www.amazon.com/MinnKota-MKR...1&keywords=trolling+motor+plug+and+receptacle

 

[Vagabound]

I have to say, I think it's a mistake to re-purpose standard stuff for non-standard purposes.
...

Wow, if I adhered to that, I'd have to go back and undo about 40 years of DIY projects!  About every other time I go shopping in Home Depot/Lowes, the conversation begins by me saying, "There's this thing I'm looking for, and it doesn't matter what it's made for because I'm going to use it for something different ..." ;-)

Tom

 

[Vagabound]

I think this particular point may have been answered already; however, I'll post the photo anyway in case not.

Tom

 

[SternWake]

This one is simpler, but only 13 amps:


https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-Genius-...rd_wg=EzJry&psc=1&refRID=TA86FRYMC3YBFDE2KW41

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I think this particular point may have been answered already; however, I'll post the photo anyway in case not.

Odd.  I bought this exact item back in October of 2015, and I had it within a week.

Well, there are others there as well.  This one is in stock right now and ships Amazon Prime . . .

https://www.amazon.com/Marinco-150B...7-b4d4-466b-8c26-2639359664eb&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

[highdesertranger]

most RV stores have them in stock. highdesertranger

 

[666JTK666]

I just installed one of these and the hole you need to drill is 1inch and 7/8ths. The hole saw was the biggest issue with the install, I could not find the correct size at any of the big name home improvement stores. I did find one at an industrial supply shop "Grainger" there in most city's.

 

[Vagabound]

Same topic, different aspect ...

What do you all think about placing the shore power outlet underneath the truck and through the floor rather than through the side wall?

Pros:
* Less likely to get water inside the outlet
* Retention of stealth where that's important
* ?

Cons:
* Slightly harder to plug in or remove the power cord. It would be a little harder to reach.
* ?

Tom

 

[Almost There]

Placing it underneath the truck is going to protect it from rain but it won't do a thing to protect it from all the splashing water when you drive on wet roads and IMO it's going to get clogged with mud when you drive on BLM or NF roads if they're even a little bit wet.

Depending on your agility level and the height of the truck, it could be a bit of a problem getting the connection right. 3 prong plugs need to be seen to be put in right. On the van I'd have to get right down on the ground to put it in correctly.

That's why mine are on the bumper - no one even notices that they're there unless they follow a power cord - not that stealth was my intention, I just didn't want them standing out like a sore thumb on the side of the van.

When the cover is in place there's been no water or dirt entry at all.

 

[abnorm]

I plan on using what I had in my 70's vancamper...............A PVC threaded male adaptor

http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/43...adapter.html?gclid=CM-Rge7QptMCFUg7gQodygUNGA

I punched a hole in the floor under the bed platform........and added the PVC fitting with a locking ring under the floor........I could drop my power cord thru the floor without the risk of chafing...........a piece of soft foam sealed the hole with or without the cord...................

doug

 

[ArtW]

The Runaway Campers actually use a 20 amp power strip dropped through a hole in the floor, presumably sealed with a grommet of some sort
Apparently this works OK for the light loads you'd run through it, and since it's the male, rather than female, connection hanging down there, less likely to get clogged

 

[hepcat]

if it was me I would go with the 30 amp and use a adapter when plugging into 15 amp.  30 amp is the RV standard plus the power cords are a lot heavier gauge.  that way if you every need the extra power you are already wired for it.  water and power always hook up on the driver side(left side) as entry doors are always on the passenger side(right side,  curb side).  highdesertranger

I'm with HDR.  Get the marine 30amp Marinco-style setup.  Whether it's the older style or newer style; whatever your preference.  And yes, the power supply goes on the driver's side.  Every power pedestal in every campground is on the driver's side.

Depending on your agility level and the height of the truck, it could be a bit of a problem getting the connection right. 3 prong plugs need to be seen to be put in right. On the van I'd have to get right down on the ground to put it in correctly.

You want it waist-high on the driver's side.  There's nothing worse than trying to wrestle with an electric cord in the rain, at night.  You definitely DON'T want to have to be laying under your van or on your hands and knees in the muck,  trying to figure out how the three prong twist lock, and then have to get the threaded retention system started.

 

[Vagabound]

JTK:  I had not thought about the hole saw size. I'll pay attention to that now, thanks. I certainly don't want to start thinking about using my sawzall. That is nearly a disaster every time. The best thing that tool has been useful for so far is cutting up branches for firewood.

AT: Good points. Do you happen to have a photo of your outlet on the bumper, or could you take one? I'd really like to see how you did that.

Abnorm: interesting alternative approach. And it's simple, I like that. At the moment, I'm leaning towards something that's fixed in place, but I can't really say why exactly.

ArtW: Yeah, I finally figured out that I was fretting too much over the outlet potentially getting clogged, because on my end, it would always be a male connector, which we all know is superior. ;-)

HDR/Hepcat: I liked what I was reading about using 30 amp. And then later I wondered why that would be necessary. I understand the point about it being the standard at RV parks and campgrounds, but wouldn't the normal procedure just be attaching a small adapter at the power pole end of this thing, and not at the rig? That would mean that the rig would not need any 30 amp type plugs and I would just be running normal construction-type extension cords from the power pole to the rig. I'm completely new to this, so maybe I'm looking at it all wrong.

I guess I should also say that I'm imagining that I can get by with 15 amp service inside the rig. I really don't know what would push me over that limit to needing 30 amp, but I don't ever plan to use air conditioning, for example, at the moment.

Tom