Community Forums

bcbounders · 02-20-2015, 01:22 PM

Has anyone out there ever tapped into a source of ignition-switched 12V power in (or near) the bedroom closet (very rear of coach)? Before I start poking around, I thought I'd ask for pointers!

Thanks!

GaryKD · 02-20-2015, 02:31 PM

Hi bcbounders,
I know of no ignition switched 12 V power inside the rear of the coach. There should be several choices in the engine compartment. If you drill any holes to feed a wire from the engine compartment to the inside of the coach, please make sure the hole is very well sealed.

PDR John · 02-20-2015, 02:56 PM

I would agree with Gary, may have to drop into a battery compartment.

slabman · 02-20-2015, 03:03 PM

Why does it need to be switched? You can get constant power from the closet light, of course. But guess you know that.

bcbounders · 02-20-2015, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi bcbounders,
I know of no ignition switched 12 V power inside the rear of the coach. There should be several choices in the engine compartment. If you drill any holes to feed a wire from the engine compartment to the inside of the coach, please make sure the hole is very well sealed.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the advice. I'm hoping I don't have to drill through to the engine compartment because I don't want to have to worry about sealing it (and checking it over time). Don't want engine soot, exhaust, etc ending up in the closet/bedroom.

bcbounders · 02-20-2015, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slabman

Why does it need to be switched? You can get constant power from the closet light, of course. But guess you know that.

Yeah... the closet light power is my fallback, but I'd really like to have ignition-switched. What I'm connecting doesn't need to be on if the engine's not running, so I'd rather not have it draining power from the house batteries while parked. And if I put a switch in it, that would require that I remember to turn it off when parked and on when driving... and I'd prefer not to have to rely on my memory... which is only getting worse!

wa8yxm · 02-21-2015, 07:43 AM

A lot depends on your coach.. I have no ignition switched circuits in my bedroom but.. A short distance away (like perhaps 2 feet literal six feel wire run) is the interlock for the slides,, My slides only work with Ignition OF so there is an interlock lead right there, and a Relay.. I happen to know where they hid the relay. IN MY COACH.

yours may be different (The relay is behind the panel with all the slide out switches of course, and the key-lock for the slides, and the water pump, water heater, and tank sensors)

"007" · 02-21-2015, 12:21 PM

What are you trying to control????

bcbounders · 02-21-2015, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

A lot depends on your coach.. I have no ignition switched circuits in my bedroom but.. A short distance away (like perhaps 2 feet literal six feel wire run) is the interlock for the slides,, My slides only work with Ignition OF so there is an interlock lead right there, and a Relay.. I happen to know where they hid the relay. IN MY COACH.

yours may be different (The relay is behind the panel with all the slide out switches of course, and the key-lock for the slides, and the water pump, water heater, and tank sensors)

That's an interesting idea... I'll have to see if I have reasonable access to something similar. Thanks!

bcbounders · 02-21-2015, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007"

What are you trying to control????

I need to install a repeater for my Tire Pressure Monitoring System... the rear sensors on my towed come in-and-out because of the length of my setup. I'd like to install it with ignition-switched power so that it is only on when the RV is running.

redbaron73 · 02-21-2015, 11:51 PM

I installed mine in the engine bay outside. I have the tst 507 series and it is weatherproof.

My prior coach i installed inside using a closet light and never worried. There are so many other phantom power drains the small amount this pulls is irrelevant

GaryKD · 02-22-2015, 07:29 AM

Hi bcbounders,
Consider using a non-switched power source. If the sensors are communicating with the TPMS and someone tries to steal a sensor, the alarm will sound.

bcbounders · 02-22-2015, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi bcbounders,
Consider using a non-switched power source. If the sensors are communicating with the TPMS and someone tries to steal a sensor, the alarm will sound.

Thanks, Gary. That's my fallback. I'd just rather not wire it that way because we boondock/dry camp quite a bit... and with a residential fridge and only 4 6V batteries, we really like to conserve power as much as possible. I know the repeater is only a tiny drain... but they add up!

I'll try giving Newmar a call this week to see if they have any ideas... but I'm thinking I'll probably end up biting the bullet and using the light in the closet as the power source. I'll put a switch inline with it so I CAN turn it off (if I remember, LOL!).

Thanks all!