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Topic: Electric Outlet Inconvenient (Read 723 times) previous topic - next topic

Electric Outlet Inconvenient

There's a single electrical outlet that (see photo) in our relatively small 34 foot coach. As you can see it is at the same height as the toaster oven and, as a result, makes it difficult to reach for other appliances.

Does anyone know whether a meaningful amount of additional wiring exists behind this outlet so that it could be moved higher? Or, are there flat extensions others might have used to extend along the adjacent wall?
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #1 –

I use one of these at home behind my microwave.

GoGreen Power GG-16000TSM - 6 Outlet Side Mount Wall Tap Adapter, White - -...

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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

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #2 –
My coach has a bunch of hard to find outlets. One on the bottom surface of a kitchen cabinet (over the
 Countertop), one under the dining room table (on the support), one near the floor on the sidewall by the drivers left foot, one under the corian shelf on the bedroom corner cabinet, one each in the nightstands, low and hidden, one under the sink for the Bose subwoofer, one in the bathroom, one above the microwave, and one on the side of the small living room table. Some took me years to find.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #3 –
I remember Carol Savournin complaining that the Foretravel engineers must have never used the coaches since they wouldn't have hid the outlets if they did. I looked around my coach and they did indeed seem to be in stupid places. I decided to do something about it and started looking around the coach and quickly figured out I couldn't use the outside walls as they where only an 1.5" thick and full of insulation. The more I looked around the more I saw that the engineers put the outlets in the only locations they could! :)

Back to original post. I don't think you will find any extra wire behind the outlet. Foretravel uses press on RV outlets which don't require any slack to install. Since yours is on an inside wall you may be able to install an additional outlet above it but would have to patch in wiring to power it.

Good luck!

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #4 –
T
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #5 –

There are crimp on outlets used in RVs and manufactured homes.
Amazon.com: Diamond Group WDR15BR Brown 15 Amp Decor Speed Box Receptacle:...

You can get black, brown and white.  For whatever reason black are considerable less expensive.
These are made to crimp on a cable going in one end and oit the other.  If the cqble terminates in the recepticle then you can extend the cable from the out bound side. 

This is a Romex cable splice for use in hidden locations. Generally connections need to be made in an accessible box but these meet code for hidden connections.  They also make a Y connection, basically a branch.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tyco-Electronics-Romex-Splice-Kit-2-Wire-1-Clam-A22899-000/202204326

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Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #6 –
One of the items on my todo list is to replace some of the hidden receptacle cover plates with white.  I think it'll make it easier to see them.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #7 –
Randy,
  Here's the kitchen counter one on our 97 34 footer. If you were installing new tile or something, you could relocate it. Like Roger said, all of our outlets are those speed outlets. This one terminates at this outlet.
jor

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #8 –
A perfect example of choosing form over function has is the newer outlet design where the contoured surface that guided the plug to the holes was replaced by flat ones that require that you be close enough to see exactly where you are putting the plug.  When the problem is exacerbated by making the outlet dark and putting it in a hidden location, it makes plugging in an appliance a project.  I'm working on changing mine out (it's on the list).
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Electric Outlet Inconvenient

Reply #9 –
Roger has pointed to the "Self Contained Wiring Devices"  that are used to simplify RV wiring, 1 5/8" thick and up to code.

https://mobilehomesupplies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wirecon-InstallationGuide.pdf

You could run an additional Romex to your existing recp.

You'll have to replace the whole device to change color.

HTH
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB