Wall plugs

Bottlefed · 04-20-2018, 06:32 AM

Are the wall outlets only going to work if I’m plugged into shore power. When I’m not plugged in the outlets in the trailer do not work. Is this supposed to be like this?

marinerjoe · 04-20-2018, 06:38 AM

For the vast majority of us (without generators or inverters tied to large battery banks), that is a true statement. The 110V outlets in a camper are only powered when plugged in to shore power.

**bikendan** · 04-20-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottlefed

Are the wall outlets only going to work if I’m plugged into shore power. When I’m not plugged in the outlets in the trailer do not work. Is this supposed to be like this?

Your dealer should have explained this to you, during the walkthrough.
Unless you have an INverter wired to the outlets, they will only work on shore power or a generator.

Without you posting what make and model of RV you have, it's hard to advise. It's not listed in your profile.

Bottlefed · 04-20-2018, 10:20 AM

I have a 2018 Wildwood 28 dbud

**wmtire** · 04-20-2018, 10:23 AM

Welcome aboard

The below is a copy and paste of useful information, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first, and then the converter thread. This will help explain your different electrical systems of your RV, and how they operate...as well as what the converter does. The very first link will explain what operates off what system.

You can just peruse at your leisure as you get to know your RV:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

Converter or Inverter (they are different)

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Installing a dedicated 30 amp RV outlet at home (Make sure you understand it's 120 volts ONLY):

How to wire a RV 30 amp outlet

12 volt DC:

12 Volt DC Circuit Breaker with Manual Reset

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

Suburban's electric switch and much more

Suburban Water Heater Video Guides

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

NO (OR LUKEWARM) HOT WATER -Please read first

And the newest additions to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders... as well as how the automatic propane changeover regulator works:

Propane Cylinders (Refilling vs Exchanging)

Propane automatic changeover regulator

Inverters and residential refrigerators in RV's:

http://rveducation101.com/articles/rvinverters.pdf

Hope it helps.

Bottlefed · 04-20-2018, 10:48 AM

Thank you so much. I wish the dealer was this informative.

5picker · 04-20-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottlefed

Thank you so much. I wish the dealer was this informative.

You can get lots of great information here.
The only dumb question is the one not asked.

It truly is a shame your dealer didn't inform you about some of the most basic 101 things with your R/V.

Shame on them! Don't be afraid to single them out so others are aware.

Bottlefed · 04-20-2018, 11:01 AM

Fun town RV in Cleburne Texas. I knew more about the trailer than the guy doin the walk through. I did my homework on my trailer before I bought it. But these kinda little questions are things I didn’t think about

**ependydad** · 04-20-2018, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottlefed

Fun town RV in Cleburne Texas. I knew more about the trailer than the guy doin the walk through. I did my homework on my trailer before I bought it. But these kinda little questions are things I didn’t think about

I've been seeing some not great things about them on a Spartan group I'm part of. I almost bought my Spartan there.

Bottlefed · 04-20-2018, 11:25 AM

Sales and finance guy were great. I got no bull from either. Now service after you buy it is another thing. I’ve called the service department with some concerns and they are about as clueless as it comes. Might as well replace them with chimpanzees.

Bottlefed · 04-20-2018, 11:27 AM

Luckily I’m good with any repairs needed to do. There were just a few questions about the trailer functionality that I had. I’m pretty smart and know how to use commen sense when needed. But for people who have no idea how to repair or maintain even a car then luckily there are forums like this one where folks can turn to.

5picker · 04-20-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottlefed

Sales and finance guy were great. I got no bull from either. Now service after you buy it is another thing. I’ve called the service department with some concerns and they are about as clueless as it comes. Might as well replace them with chimpanzees.

Maybe someone already has.

Brother Les · 04-20-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottlefed

Luckily I’m good with any repairs needed to do. There were just a few questions about the trailer functionality that I had. I’m pretty smart and know how to use commen sense when needed. But for people who have no idea how to repair or maintain even a car then luckily there are forums like this one where folks can turn to.

Your original question should raise a red flag to you and others.

110v shore power can kill you or hurt you very badly if you are not careful.
(example of a problem that may come up.... if you use the 110v heating element for the Waterheater and for some reason drain or run out of water in the tank.... the element could be turned on and with no water in tank, a very bad fire hazard could happen)

12v battery power is used by most of the systems on the RV and is safer.

Propane can be very hazardous and deadly if not careful.

Please learn about All of your RV at home, so you will not learn a terrible lesson when you are camping.

It is great that you have common sense and can repair stuff when needed... But.... the biggest 'thing' that you don't know.... is what you 'don't know'....

Welcome to the forum.

This post was not meant to 'flog' you... but to encourage you to learn as much as you can before hitting the road.

We are here to dialog with you and each other about all issues RV.

marinerjoe · 04-20-2018, 11:51 AM

To add to what Brother Les said, when we got our campers (both this one and our last one), the first thing we did before we went somewhere else was to go "camping in the driveway" for a couple of nights. It gave us the opportunity to see what we needed to do before we got away from the comfort of home.

And with our pop-up, it allowed us to set up and break down in relative privacy, without all the other "helpful" and amused eyes that might be out there.

Keep reading and asking. I've found a LOT of really useful information here. And much to my wife's chagrin, I've also found lots of ideas for stuff we REALLY need for the camper.

Bottlefed · 04-20-2018, 11:56 AM

Hahahahah

Brother Les · 04-20-2018, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottlefed

Hahahahah

Your welcome for the laugh....

The 'posts' may not have helped you, but they may help others who read these later.

Right now I am changing out my worn out shackle bolts and hangers and installing 1/2 inch shackles and wet bolts. The forum has been very helpful in this endeavore.

Happy and safe camping.

You may also like: