windborn
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Post by windborn on Oct 19, 2016 12:30:06 GMT -8
Where do y'all typically install your outdoor outlet? I'm thinking I may do one beside the door, but I thought someone might have a better idea.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 19, 2016 19:22:18 GMT -8
Which came first the chicken or the egg. Where you install an outside outlet is strictly a personal preference. No matter where you put it somebody will have a really great reason why you should have put it elsewhere.
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Post by vikx on Oct 19, 2016 20:27:21 GMT -8
It really doesn't matter where it goes, as long as the door doesn't swing on top of it...
I often use an old skin hole and add the outlet; one less hole to cover. I've installed them high, low, street side, door side or wherever comes in handy for use. Sometimes inside the cargo area. Some folks want it on the street side to keep the cords hidden. Others want it high on the door side for awning lights.
Wherever you put the outlet, be sure to use a backer and anchor the box firmly. They take a lot of abuse.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 5:44:59 GMT -8
Previous owner of mine placed an outlet about middle way on curbside. Makes it really easy to plug in any string lights you may have for your campsite set up, awning, etc.
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windborn
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Post by windborn on Oct 20, 2016 8:14:59 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice, y'all!
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Oct 20, 2016 9:14:23 GMT -8
Hamlet is feeling inadequate. The only outlet he has outside is the one that we use to plug into shore power. We have one outlet in the closet that we sometimes use for a little space heater, and the pump for the shower for the water tank that is wired in and runs off he inverter/converter/whatever thingie. Lights are 12 volt LED.
So, my question is, what, besides string lights, do folks plug into an outside outlet? Should we go back and put in a plug?
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Oct 20, 2016 10:24:43 GMT -8
Two reasons for my installation. First, power was easy to reach from the converter installed in the floor cupboard above, just drilled through the floor and belly pan to run the wiring. I didn't have any holes to need to fill in the sides. Second was the string lights. Tucked it neatly underneath just ahead of the door.
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windborn
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Post by windborn on Oct 20, 2016 10:40:21 GMT -8
Ooh, I like it underneath like that!
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Post by vikx on Oct 20, 2016 20:58:39 GMT -8
Ten, that idea is great!
Most campers use the outside outlet for lighting. I use it also to charge our electric disability scooters. No, I'm not disabled, but the scooters are A BLAST!!
Anybody else care to share on use?
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msgoehring
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Post by msgoehring on Oct 21, 2016 2:09:47 GMT -8
Sam and I do have a hole we need to cover, which is why the outlet is going on the curbside wall, otherwise I'd totally steal ten's idea. We'll be using it for string lights, but more importantly, when we use air conditioning the portable unit will be plugged in there and kept outside. We are going to make vent holes in the wardrobe closet and have a door on the bottom that can open towards the bed for the air to move through. Our trailer is just too small to have a big air conditioner inside it, there's minimum storage space as is and this set up came about after weeks of back and forth on it. If some PO hadn't installed a huge tank for some form of fuel in the bottom of the wardrobe with the fill spout in the curbside wall we wouldn't have ever come up with this idea.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Oct 21, 2016 10:10:27 GMT -8
Well, duh, Hamlet! I hadn't thought about a/c since we don't really need it, but that makes perfect sense. Where do you store the unit when you're traveling?
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msgoehring
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Post by msgoehring on Oct 21, 2016 14:25:36 GMT -8
We plan on carrying it in the tow vehicle because like you, we don't need it very often. But we want to take trips to areas of the country that would require a/c like Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and I'd love to get to some of the southern states also. So the a/c is for using on those rare days when the Idaho mountains reach high 90's if we are in a campground with hookups, and that's really rare for us to be in. So really it will be for long trips and left at home all the other times.
That was a long way to answer your question wasn't it.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Oct 21, 2016 18:03:52 GMT -8
We plan on carrying it in the tow vehicle because like you, we don't need it very often. But we want to take trips to areas of the country that would require a/c like Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and I'd love to get to some of the southern states also. So the a/c is for using on those rare days when the Idaho mountains reach high 90's if we are in a campground with hookups, and that's really rare for us to be in. So really it will be for long trips and left at home all the other times. That was a long way to answer your question wasn't it. NOt really long. Hamlet's people tend to be a bit verbose.
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handkey
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Post by handkey on Oct 22, 2016 14:14:22 GMT -8
Where do y'all typically install your outdoor outlet? I'm thinking I may do one beside the door, but I thought someone might have a better idea. Typical location is the area between the door and luggage door. If your door swings to the left, it may be a good idea to keep the outlet from getting hit by the door. If an awning is ever going to be used, its nice to have the outlet under the awning as well.
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