Upgrading to RV hook ups

[Tony's Dream]

Most people on here rely on solar and batteries for power.  I have seen several Youtube videos where they added an RV plug and basic electrical hook ups.  I travel a lot in my van and would like to park in an RV park from time to time and take advantage of full shore power.  Has anyone added the RV plug setup and do you like it?  Any concerns?

 

[user 423]

I added a NOCO GCP1 to the back of my van mainly to easily connect output from a generator to a battery charger.

It also was used a couple of times to plug in at a friend's house.

It's kind of light duty and there are probably other devices that are sturdier. It's rated at 15 amps.

 

[Camper]

You can spend the $$$ if you want too on the heavy-duty cords, etc but unless you have A/C in your van a simple 15-amp outlet will do. Every RV park that I've been too since 1965 have 120-volt household-type outlets in their power stations. Simply plug in a plain ole outdoor extension cord into the camground power.

I have the same type outlet as above.

 

[highdesertranger]

I basically agree that most of us don't need a high amperage inlet. Howerever I put a smart plug on my trailer,

http://www.bestconverter.com/SmartPlug-Inlets-and-Cordsets_c_259.html

Just cuz.

Highdesertranger

 

[Firebuild]

You can spend the $$$ if you want too on the heavy-duty cords, etc but unless you have A/C in your van a simple 15-amp outlet will do.  Every RV park that I've been too since 1965 have 120-volt household-type outlets in their power stations.  Simply plug in a plain ole outdoor extension cord into the camground power.

I have the same type outlet as above.

I 100% agree with you.

 

[Camper]

I knew I was right for 70 years..... now, someone finally agrees with me.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I'm going to add something to the mix....using the normal 120v plug for light duty uses in a van or camp trailer/cargo trailer conversion works well for battery charging, normal loads etc, but can fall a bit short IF you use an electric space heater and/or microwave oven, especially at the same time.

As long as you understand the limitations, it should work well for you. It's a good idea to have some kind of circuit breaker or fuse in the rig to help protect your wiring and the outlet you are plugged into.

I recommend that anyone who does this should also carry an RV adapter (AKA dogbone adapter) so they can plug their shore cord into the RV pedestal (or panel) 30 amp receptacle...the reason for this is that the required GFCI outlet on some power panels will detect even the slightest ground fault in your rig, or if the cord is laying on wet pavement, and will shut off your power. Sometimes the simple act of stepping into or out of the vehicle while touching the metal frame or handrail, while your foot or shoe is touching the ground, is enough to trip the GFCI outlet in the power pedestal and you come back later to find your rig has no shore power and you cant figure out what happened....been there done that!

The 30 amp RV outlet typically does NOT have a GFCI circuit so your power will be more reliable when conditions are 'flaky'...although local codes in some areas might require GFCI on an RV receptacle....

Obviously, your rig should have its OWN 15 or 20 amp breakers to the shore power connection and preferably its own GFCI protection if you choose to use a 30 amp RV receptacle.

You can buy or fabricate a 20 amp inline breaker box (near the plug end) if you really want to adhere to NEC codes to protect the shore cord to the rig, but I have not found this to be necessary.

 

[user 423]

Hey TX2 how you doing in the deep freeze?

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

I built my rig to be off grid, only getting power from the solar panels and engine alternator. So I don't have any large loads, and everything is based off my 2000watt inverter. But while building, it got cold, and was running an extension cord through the door to run a space heater. So I thought how silly that was after the 10th time setting that up and just added a simple 15amp plug on the outside and tied it into the vans existing off grid electrical system. I added circuit breaker as soon as it came into vehicle and a switch to turn electrical power from inverter to shore power.

 

[Tony's Dream]

Lots of good ideas. I did not know about the smart plugs, I will have to look into that. My plan was to add the RV plug, run it into a breaker box with regular 20 and 30 amp breakers. That way if I add a micro wave or portable heater....I will be covered. I am always looking for ways to upgrade for those "just in case" situations.

 

[highdesertranger]

Yep that's what I am doing. The smart Plug is in and so is the breaker box. The wiring is next. Highdesertranger