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Topic: Black box above dash both 120V AC and 12V DC? (Read 444 times) previous topic - next topic

Black box above dash both 120V AC and 12V DC?

As I redo the area above my dash I have hit a proverbial technical roadblock.  The PO had already revamped a few things so I am trying to differentiate OEM from already customized.  I am suprprised at how many outlest there are up there for one thing.  The one the new TV was plugged has me stumped.  It was plugged into a single surge protector that was plugged into a pass-through black box that has low voltage wires coming out of it.  I cut the wire to try and put a tone on them to chase them but that failed.  The low voltage wires show around 7.8V on them.  So they have voltage going to the 120V pass-through box.  I'm stumped.

The attached pictures show the outlet it was plugged into with everything a little cleaner, as well as the original setup as I found it.  There are no markings on the black box and no screws to take it apart. 
Luke & Sandy (still many work years to go...)
1999 U320 36 Build #5387
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Previous 1997 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ major interior remodel
Previous several SOB trailers, Class C, fifth wheels.

Re: Black box above dash both 120V AC and 12V DC?

Reply #1
I believe this box has a relay triggered by 12v.  Keeps TV from turning on when ignition is on. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Black box above dash both 120V AC and 12V DC?

Reply #2
Chuck, you are spot on!  When we went with the "In motion" Tracstar on our '98, we bypassed that.  Now, that wasn't for me, but for anyone else that was riding in the coach that wanted to watch TV or listen to music.  Personally, a waste of money, but at the time, sounded good.  lol 
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Black box above dash both 120V AC and 12V DC?

Reply #3
Yes, Chuck is right it keeps TV off when key is on. I took mine out when I move the TV to the side of the coach, one less thing to go wrong.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Black box above dash both 120V AC and 12V DC?

Reply #4
I'll have to put a meter on it with key ON.  So is it some voltage with key OFF and no voltage at key On and it shuts the outlet off?  Or some voltage with key OFF and with key ON full voltage and it shuts the outlet off.  I'm just trying to figure out if I can use those two wires for anything else activated by key ON.

If I'm watching TV while driving we have bigger problems...
Luke & Sandy (still many work years to go...)
1999 U320 36 Build #5387
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Previous 1997 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ major interior remodel
Previous several SOB trailers, Class C, fifth wheels.

Re: Black box above dash both 120V AC and 12V DC?

Reply #5
I'll have to put a meter on it with key ON.  So is it some voltage with key OFF and no voltage at key On and it shuts the outlet off?  Or some voltage with key OFF and with key ON full voltage and it shuts the outlet off.  I'm just trying to figure out if I can use those two wires for anything else activated by key ON.

If I'm watching TV while driving we have bigger problems...
Full voltage key off, no voltage key on. Could be used while camping for an accessory.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean