Outdoor 12 volt socket

[okmunky]

Hi Ya'll,

Thanks to bad knees, I use a power wheelchair instead of walking long distances. I am considering adding a hitch mounted carrier to the back of my motorhome.

If so, I will need to add a 12 volt outlet to the rear end in order to charge it. I've found a marine grade outlet that looks to be relatively weatherproof.

Is this safe? Any suggestions for where to tie in to power?

["007"]

A Marine outlet should be OK.
I would run a #12 stranded wire to your house battery with 20 amp fuse should do it.
Check the amp draw of your lift or charger.

[clyon51]

Agree with 007. Optionally....

If your generator is a lot closer to the rear than your batteries, you could tie into + cable at the generator starter solenoid to save some expense with a shorter run of wire. The only difference would be there wouldn't be any power there if the house battery diconnect was in disconnect mode. That shouldn't be a problem for you though.

[okmunky]

Thanks guys! My brother found a better solution. He installed the socket inside the back storage bay and the cord, which is the thickness of a lamp cord, can be run out the door when needed. The door seal still keeps everything dry inside.

[clyon51]

Did he use an existing 12v circuit or is it tied directly to the battery?

[okmunky]

My dear sweet brother, Jim, climbed under the coach and ran a new 18' line directly from the battery. The wiring, socket and connectors are all marine grade. I probably should add a fuse, shouldn't I?

[Mtnbiker1096]

Absolutely put a fuse at the battery end.

[Murf2u]

If you're coach has a 7 way (Bargman style) RV plug at the trailer hitch you likely already have a heavy 12 volt line right there.

The 'standard' wiring for a 7 way plug includes a minimum 10 gauge wire to charge any batteries in the towed trailer.

Wouldn't be hard to rewire a 7 way male plug, or they sell adapters ready-made that convert a 7 way to a cigarette lighter style power port.