Electrical Outlet Under Dinette

[Big Dawg]

We have the 2011 Grey Wolf with the slideout that has the table/couch area in it. My wife has been bugging me about not having an outlet under the table area to plug in a crock pot or something on the table. Has anyone done this mod, or know of any wiring in that area?

[BigTJohn]

Getting ready to tackle that one. I'll post w/pics when done. Probably another 10-11 days.

[1Texan]

Big Dawg,
My Sabre has an outlet under one of the bench seats. The problem I discovered with a 30 amp RV is that you have enought power to run the air and the microwave at the same time. Or the microwave and another power hog like a coffee pot. But if you add a third element like an electric heater or hair dryer, you trip a circuit breaker. So my solution was to cut the power cord by the frame where the electrical cord attaches to the swinging arm that supports the power for the slide (for the 110 v and the 12 vdc lights) and isolate the power from the 110 vac distribution. I then connected the 110 vac cord from the outlet in the slide to a waterproof metal outlet box with a male plug, available at any good electrical outlet but probably not at your big box store. Now when I go to my favorite park I hook up my 30 amp cord as normal and then run an extension cord from the 20 amp outlet on the park outlet box to the newly installed box. This allows me to run my trailer apliances as normal and in addition run a heater or slow cooker without fear of tripping the breaker. The circuit is still breakered at the park power pole.

Rod

[caper]

Many campground do not want you to plug into both the 30 amp and 20 amp plugs at the post. In fact you are now drawing up to 50 amps of power when only paying for a 30 amp site.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by caper

Many campground do not want you to plug into both the 30 amp and 20 amp plugs at the post. In fact you are now drawing up to 50 amps of power when only paying for a 30 amp site.

Lol I say tuff cookies!
I paid for the spot and all available power to it.

Turbs

[1Texan]

But many places charge the same for 20, 30, or 50.

[caper]

If they are charging the same for all three then there is no problem plugging in to the 20 amp but if they charge extra for 50 amp and you pay for 30 amp then you should not plug into the 30 and 20 amp to run extra items in your TT. There are many post where the camper is not getting full power at their site. This usually happens in the summer when everyone is running their AC. If you are taking extra power from the post this will effect everyone. There is only so much power available for a circle. If everyone was to take the extra amperage then there would be a major power failure or a major drop in voltage available to the units.

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Lol I say tuff cookies!
I paid for the spot and all available power to it.

Turbs

X2! I often run an extension cord to run my griddle in the morning so that my trailer 15 amp breaker won't trip if we're running other things.

[JJnLilly]

Back to the OP's original point, I too would like to install a 110 outlet in the slide of our Wildcat. This model came with limited outlets and we certainly do miss one in the slide. DW wants some place to plug in her sewing machine and a 'real' light and I want a place to plug in our cell phone amp and the computer.

Been looking under the unit for a way to tap into an existing run and then how to get the power up through the floor for an outlet. Will be anxious to see how the OP does it.

And yes, on an earlier unit I did run a separate line through the refer vent to a dedicated 110 outlet under the kitchen. When we were needing to run a heater, plugged it into that outlet and ran a separate cord from the power post to the male connection behind the refer vent. When not needed for a heater, plugged the cord from the outlet into the 110 outlet for the refer (it was a duplex box).

[Willybgh]

I installed 2 electrical outlets in my grey wolf 26rl on the slide. What I did was install a flush mail plug with a flap on it on the outside wall and wired it direct to the 2 inside gfi plugs. I then plug the extension cord into the male plug on side and other end goes to post with the regular one. I have not had any issues with plugging both hydro cords in at the same time.

I am not at home right now so can not attach any pics. But if someone wants pics let me know.

Chris

[Big Dawg]

I was hoping to look at wiring something inside. I had heard there might be wiring to the slide for electric outlet, just not installed. I will have to take a look at it more when I get a chance, it's too cold right now.

[JJnLilly]

Big Dawg, wondering if you ever found anything or added an outlet. Still trying to work up something for our 'cat. For now for the couch/dinette I run a long corded power strip from an outlet uder the TV. It works but we have to remember to unplug before we put in the slide.

[BigTJohn]

I have not found an easy way to an extra outlet mounted in the slide. Seems, so far, to have too much covering and slide movement to reliably and safely (electrically) provide one. More exploration necessary.