12 volt outlet upgrade

[ddozier234]

Good morning,

I am trying to get options for upgrades to the outlets in my 2011 Forest River Cardinal. I do not no much about the outlets in my fifth wheel. The extent of my knowledge is: if I plug something in and it works; I have power and alls good. If I plug something in an it doesn’t work; no power and I have a problem. I would like to upgrade to something like this: https://www.ebay.com/p/17031750615 I notice that the outlets are not a residential size and will not allow a direct plug in application. Even if it fits, there is no place to install the retaining screw. Is there a specific adapters for rv’s? If I upgraded to residential outlets, would it cause a problem? Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

[Persistent]

Adapters like the one you linked are available many places with many variations of features.

Most simply plug in to an existing outlet. No wiring is required. The retaining screw usually replaces the screw in the existing face plate.

Can you post a picture of your existing outlet face plate?

[MrMark52]

Household duplex receptacles are made slightly different from that in RV’s and MoHo’s.

The key difference is in the devices means of protection from fire of any sparking or arcing that may occur from the back side of the plug.

In a home, receptacles and switches are installed in a wall box. The wall box protects the inside of the wall from fugitive arcs/sparks.

RV’s and MoHo’s don’t use wall boxes - but the back of the plug or switch is fully protected by the use of a back plate. And to install that back plate requires a very expensive tool (although I have used C-clamps and a couple of blocks or wood to install).

RC’s and MoHo’s usually don’t have the needed depth in their installation to install a beep wall box, and shallow boxes are getting harder and harder to find - and their shallow depth make it difficult at best to make the needed connections.

USB has become such a major part of our lives today - and if you have a 12VDC “plug” available, you can find adapters that will plug into that socket that will provide multiple USB sockets.

After that, the problem becomes one of convenience. I deal with that in our current ‘02 coach in which plug location looks to be an afterthought than convenience. But then convenience in’02 was a different animal than it is today.

[Unplanned Tourist]

I have installed a couple of separation USB outlets in our rig. One in the dash and another one in the bedroom. Both are stand alone and hot all the time. Pretty simple to do. I used power and ground from a light switch in the bedroom and found a hot wire and ground in the dash.

[ddozier234]

Originally Posted by Persistent

Adapters like the one you linked are available many places with many variations of features.

Most simply plug in to an existing outlet. No wiring is required. The retaining screw usually replaces the screw in the existing face plate.

Can you post a picture of your existing outlet face plate?

No screw hole.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by ddozier234

Good morning,

I am trying to get options for upgrades to the outlets in my 2011 Forest River Cardinal. I do not no much about the outlets in my fifth wheel. The extent of my knowledge is: if I plug something in and it works; I have power and alls good. If I plug something in an it doesn’t work; no power and I have a problem. I would like to upgrade to something like this: https://www.ebay.com/p/17031750615 I notice that the outlets are not a residential size and will not allow a direct plug in application. Even if it fits, there is no place to install the retaining screw. Is there a specific adapters for rv’s? If I upgraded to residential outlets, would it cause a problem? Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

The "upgrade" you are talking about is 120Vac unit. The title of your thread says "12 volt upgrade".
Make sure you are getting the voltage correct. If you try to hook a 12volt to the 120 volt you will fry something real quick.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by hamm2018

The "upgrade" you are talking about is 120Vac unit. The title of your thread says "12 volt upgrade".
Make sure you are getting the voltage correct. If you try to hook a 12volt to the 120 volt you will fry something real quick.

I was ready to say that while reading replies until I reached yours.

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by ddozier234

Attachment 366148
No screw hole.

There are many similar options. Some don't need a screw. Typically ones with fewer 120 volt sockets.

A 6 outlet socket may work even without installing the screw. It may not stay plugged in if you plug in 6 appliances.

I recommend this one. It is not what you wanted, but may work well for you. It can be attached to the wall near the existing outlet if you wish.

https://www.amazon.com/Surge-Protect...10&sr=8-5&th=1

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by ddozier234

Good morning,

I am trying to get options for upgrades to the outlets in my 2011 Forest River Cardinal. I do not no much about the outlets in my fifth wheel. The extent of my knowledge is: if I plug something in and it works; I have power and alls good. If I plug something in an it doesn’t work; no power and I have a problem. I would like to upgrade to something like this: https://www.ebay.com/p/17031750615 I notice that the outlets are not a residential size and will not allow a direct plug in application. Even if it fits, there is no place to install the retaining screw. Is there a specific adapters for rv’s? If I upgraded to residential outlets, would it cause a problem? Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

I have added many dedicated 12V outlets throughout our coach but based on your working knowledge as you describe is probably exactly the right solution for you.

Just plug it in and go camping!

Cheers!

[Gary RVRoamer]

Looks like the one you referenced doesn't use a center screw to hold it in place, so it should work in your outlet.

[Argosy]

5 USB and 12 120v outlets with surge suppression. Plug it in, you're ready to go and still have an empty plug in your outlet.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B94PR3V...sin_0_img&th=1

[MrMark52]

Wow! Just think of the potential current being drawn if someone were to use all 12 of those 120v outlets, not to even think about the 5 USB’s?

Good thing they put a breaker in it.

[Dutch Star Don]

When I read the title of your post (12 volt outlet upgrade) I understood that to mean that you wanted to add charging ports for USB. The multi outlet that you linked to is not a good idea in an RV. RV wiring isn't sufficiently sized to handle all those 110 volt outlets, should someone plug in several things.

My coach came with several of these multiplugs that has two 110 volt outlets, but adds a USB charger on each side. You could change yours out to one of those.

https://www.amazon.com/Receptacle-Ch...27&sr=8-6&th=1

[MrMark52]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

When I read the title of your post (12 volt outlet upgrade) I understood that to mean that you wanted to add charging ports for USB. The multi outlet that you linked to is not a good idea in an RV. RV wiring isn't sufficiently sized to handle all those 110 volt outlets, should someone plug in several things.

My coach came with several of these multiplugs that has two 110 volt outlets, but adds a USB charger on each side. You could change yours out to one of those.

https://www.amazon.com/Receptacle-Ch...27&sr=8-6&th=1

Attachment 366241

Those combo plugs are perfectly acceptable provided they are installed in an electrical box - see my post #3 above. I’ve replaced Some of the receptacles that I could in our coaches, provided there was adequate room to install the required box.

I’ve yet to see the combo plug with the back covering clamp as usually found in MoHo’s and RV’s.