How do I convert junction box and harness to 110v oulet

[tobin]

This junction box and wire harness (see images) was previously connected to a stock Winnebago electric reclining love seat (from what I was told) on my 2003 Winnebago Brave class A. It was located on the main slide out behind the driver.

The love seat has since been removed (by the previous owners) and I'd like to convert the remaining box and wires into a flush-to-wall 110v outlet, while hiding unneeded wires, if possible.

If even possible, what are the steps, tools, and parts needed for this job?

[Old-Biscuit]

Looks like 12VDC

Multiple plugs....each having only 2 wires----yellow and white

[Argosy]

I agree the yellow and white wires are 12v. You need to post a picture of what's inside the box. And figure out what's on that circuit, and what you want use with the plug, it's doubtless 15 amps.

[R.Wold]

Was it a 120v powered seat or was it 12v? Did it work any time it only when plugged in or with the generator running? Taking a close look, the small plug on the white and yellow wires looks like 12v. Is that what powered the seat?

You might have 120v in that junction box and if you opened it and provided a pic, I could tell you which wires go where and what to buy, but there is no way to ensure the job is done to the standards necessary for safety. You can get all kinds of info on line, some of it probably good, but nothing replaces experience especially when working with electricity on a motor home.

If you do have 120v there, my advice would be to find someone with a good working knowledge of these things to help you through. Its easy and even enjoyable, and the task you propose is simple enough, but as a first time experience, I would advise you at least have your work supervised by a competent tech.

[Persistent]

R.Wold has it right. We need to see what is in the box. The white and yellow wires may be unrelated. The flexible black cable may be a 120 volt supply.

Open the box and check with a volt meter. You may find a black, white, and green wire inside that is not connected to anything. Check voltage from black to white and black to green.

If it is 120 volts for both, it is a matter of getting box and fittings for the new installation and knowing what is safe and effective.

[tobin]

Thank you all kindly for your insight and advise. Here's what's inside the box. There is a lot going on to my eye , so unless one of you think it's less complicated than it looks I may be calling a RV tech for this one. If I can't turn it into a 120v outlet, I'd at least like to push the wires back and clean up the wall.

[wolfe10]

Black, white and green. That is 120 VAC wiring.

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by tobin

Thank you all kindly for your insight and advise. Here's what's inside the box. There is a lot going on to my eye , so unless one of you think it's less complicated than it looks I may be calling a RV tech for this one. If I can't turn it into a 120v outlet, I'd at least like to push the wires back and clean up the wall.

Now that will get you your 120v The easiest thing to do would be to get a cover plate that fits that box designed to hold an outlet and put your outlet right on top of that box. The down-side would be if its visible, it would look like garage wiring.

It would be good to see a wider view to understand just how ugly it is. You could always paint the box and cover plate and include an outlet and some USB ports - if you cant fix it, feature it!

Originally Posted by wolfe10

Black = HOT white = NEUTRAL and green = GROUND That is 120 VAC wiring.

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by tobin

Thank you all kindly for your insight and advise. Here's what's inside the box. There is a lot going on to my eye , so unless one of you think it's less complicated than it looks I may be calling a RV tech for this one. If I can't turn it into a 120v outlet, I'd at least like to push the wires back and clean up the wall.

Those wires need to stay inside an electrical box. You cannot just push 120 back into the wall. (Unless you want to turn in a fire claim). In reality, that appears to be #14 Romex coming into the box.

In this case you could just use a standard household 20 amp outlet. The solid copper wire just pushes into the outlet, the outlet screws to the box, and the proper cover goes over it.

That is a double gang box and if you wanted to make it more presentable you could switch it out to a single. It would be half the size.

But in reality, before you do anything, you need to find out what else is on that circuit, where it comes from and what else it feeds. It’s likely just in line with more outlets, but you don’t want to just throw an outlet in there, plug in an electric heater and find out the microwave is on the same circuit.

RV outlets are way different than residential outlets. They are not wired through a box like homes are. They are completely self contained with a cover that snaps on the back and two levers that turn sideways when tightening to hold them in place.

Also, if you look closely, you can see the feed comes in, ties together with wire nuts, and goes out through the bottom. My guess would be the “live” coming in comes up through the floor and goes out through the side. But it might be the other way. Either way he needs to know where it comes from and where it goes.

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Looks like 12VDC

Multiple plugs....each having only 2 wires----yellow and white

Take a closer look. The 12 v wires don’t go into the box. It looks like outdoor Romex going into the box.

[Persistent]

I see a heavy black cable containing black, white, green wires. The printing on the black sheath will tell you what size wire it is. It is likely 14 AWG and so 15 amp capacity, not 20 amp. Figure out which circuit breaker controls it and check the current capacity.

I see a lighter weight black cable in the bottom of the box. That may be to some appliance like an electric recliner. The wire is much smaller and so may have its own fuse somewhere in it. Look under the slide out for clues.

The bare copper wire may ground the metal box to the green wires. I can't quite see where it goes.

I would try to identify where the light weight black bottom cable goes. It may be disconnected somewhere, or it may power something. No telling what until you explore.

[KanzKran]

The black cable leaving the box on the left is cord, so I would assume it powers something in the slide. The other cable, from the back, is probably NM (Romex) and is probably incoming power, though that could be reversed if the box is already in a slide.

There are two green insulated conductors plus the bare copper from the NM cable, with one of the two green conductors terminating at a screw at the back of the box, providing the box ground.

I would either leave it and put a single duplex receptacle plate on it, or replace it with a rounded corner 4” square surface box and raised cover with a single duplex receptacle, or replace it with a Wiremold type surface box (white or putty), either 2-gang or single-gang with single duplex receptacle.

That’s assuming the circuit isn’t maxed out already with some fixed load, like a microwave oven.

[TXiceman]

Simplest and safe thing to do is use a voltmeter and check the voltage at the wires rather and guess and depend on internet opinions.

Ken

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Simplest and safe thing to do is use a voltmeter and check the voltage at the wires rather and guess and depend on internet opinions.

Ken

Best answer.


But would be quite surprising if three wires (black, white and green) were anything but 120 VAC.