Running Dedicated Outlet for Portable Heater

EastlakeRoo · 05-03-2010, 07:43 AM

Have a 2010 2607 Ultra lite and was wondering if anyone has ever ran a dedicated outlet for a portable heater?? Reason I'm looking for a dedicated outlet is so that I can run the heater off the campground power versus running it off my internal electrical system. When I had my previous trailer I would trip a breaker when I had the heater going and coffee pot on. Has anyone ran into a similar issue or is there a alternative to the outlet method? Looking for a easy solution.

tmmar · 05-03-2010, 07:58 AM

Couldn't you just use a heavy duty extension cord plugged directly to the campground pedestal

EastlakeRoo · 05-03-2010, 08:39 AM

I suppose I could do that but I wanted to run the extension cord in such a way that I don't have to leave a storage door or window open. I've heard of some guys having a dedicated outlet that is supplied somehow by a male plug somewhere outside the trailer. What they would do is get another extension cord plug it into the campground outlet and the other end to the male adapter supplying the outlet and all set. The only way I see this can be done is by cutting a hole in the trailer floor to run the line and before I go this route I wanted to see what other alternatives there are. Just hate to cut into anything as my trailer is brand new and hasn't been camped in yet. Let me know if there are any other ideas/suggestions. I appreciate the assistance.

tmmar · 05-03-2010, 08:51 AM

I wouldn't want to cut a hole in my motor home either (whether or not it had been camped in) especially one that is a month old. That is why I suggested the extension cord.

**KyDan** · 05-03-2010, 09:05 AM

Been there, done that.
It's fairly easy DIY job if you are the least bit familiar around
an electrical panel.

Your and my trailer has one circuit for all outlets.
It's a 15 amp ground fault outlet.
Yet your trailer has a 30 amp "supply" input.
I bet your circuit box commonly referred to as the "power center"
has extra spaces for another circuit breaker.
These circuit breakers are common plug in breakers and can
be bought at Home Depot, Lowes or most any well stocked
hardware store.

I simply plugged in another 15 amp breaker and ran a short wire
from it over to the adjoining toe kick area under my sink.
I was able to install an "old work" plastic outlet box in the
toe kick. It took about 6 or 7 feet of 14-2 romex wire.
You can purchase cut lengths or just a 25 foot roll of that at the
above mentioned stores.

The entire job took me an hour but I admit I do have experience
in this area. (34 years as an industrial maintenance electrician/mechanic)

I can provide photo if you want one just ask.

Now we can perk coffee or toast bread AND run the electric heater
at the same time!
We've never kicked the 30 amp breaker on the camp ground post
nor the main breaker in our power center.

Good Luck!

milzat · 05-03-2010, 09:12 AM

This has been done before.

I posted a drawing awhile back, with pics. I'll have to search for it. When I find it, it'll post it for you to view.

LadyWindrider · 05-03-2010, 10:06 AM

Well, from an engineering point of view, all of this discussion is about a problem with the OLD trailer that is now gone. EASTLAKEROO, have you tried it with the NEW trailer to see what happens? (or am I missing something?) There is always a way to solve a problem, but no need to solve one till you're sure you have it. Kydan said he had the same trailer, only two years older, and may be true, but I've seen and read post on here where two identical trailers were not wired or plumbed the same. TEST it first. Just my two cents, your mileage may vary.

milzat · 05-03-2010, 10:08 AM

You’ll need one of these to plug your 20 amp rated extension cord, from the campground pedestal, to your trailer.

20A POWER INLET, (20A, 125V straight blade inlet. Use with any standard 20A extension cord).

Mount it inside one of your outside storage compartments.
Run ROMEX from the 20A inlet to where you will mount a 20A GFCI receptacle inside your trailer.

Install an electrical utility hatch on the compartment door. This way, you'll be cutting a hole in the compartment door, insted of your trailer sidewall.

Run the extension cord through the electrical hatch and plug it into the 20A inlet.

EastlakeRoo · 05-03-2010, 01:23 PM

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I'm going to see what I can install over the next few days so we have no issues running the heater and other accessories this upcoming weekend Also, this is for a 2010 Rockwood 2607 Ultra Lite as we moved up from our 2008 Rockwood Roo 21RS.

cardinal4fun · 05-03-2010, 01:27 PM

I was going to do the same thing at one time. I was going to get the male plug as showen in one of the post then a standard outlet inside the trailer. Use a heavy gauge extensen cord plugged into cg 110 plug. I gave that idea up and now just use the heavy duty extension cord. Before the slide is fully extended i slip the cord in and just go that way.

EastlakeRoo · 05-03-2010, 04:32 PM

I'll have to take a closer look at the slide and see if I can do the same thing by slipping the cord in before fully extended. I will have to take a closer look next time I'm by my trailer. Thanks for sharing.

dezolen · 05-03-2010, 04:36 PM

I slipped an extention cord thru the bottom edge of slideout to run port heater when we had our 2607 which saved overloading 30 amp sytem in trailer
Very easy to slip it in past bottom seal and locate plug under jack sofa

fivecodys · 05-04-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

I slipped an extention cord thru the bottom edge of slideout to run port heater when we had our 2607 which saved overloading 30 amp sytem in trailer
Very easy to slip it in past bottom seal and locate plug under jack sofa

Yep! We do the same thing. It's easy and works well.
I do like the other idea of making a permanent connection.
Sure would like to see that drawing.
Bill

sonicsix · 05-06-2010, 11:02 AM

We did this on our camper. Very easy to do using common items found at Lowe's or any hardware store. Here is what ours looks like, outlet inside and plug in outside. We run a heavy cord to the pedestal from there.

Radio · 05-06-2010, 12:38 PM

I'm lazy. And cheap. One really cold night I just ran a heavy extension cord out through the slide out seal (poke it through while the slide is about half way out) and it worked great.

fivecodys · 05-06-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio

I'm lazy. And cheap. One really cold night I just ran a heavy extension cord out through the slide out seal (poke it through while the slide is about half way out) and it worked great.

KU4OJ from N6OVZ....

What?........ A cheap AND lazy HAM?
Can't be true!

73's

Bill
N6OVZ

EastlakeRoo · 05-12-2010, 10:52 AM

Update: I went the route that cardinal4fun went by sliding a heavy duty extension cord in the trailer before the slider was fully extended and that trick worked. Went camping this past weekend and temps were in the 40's at night and 50's during the day and our 1500 watt little heater kept the trailer in the 70's during the day and night. Didn't have to kick on the furnace one time the entire weekend. Just wanted to share the experience. Hopefully the weather will warm up soon in Northern Ohio so I don't have to worry about heat.

cheers

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