Community Forums

Paul R. Haller · 03-28-2011, 04:02 PM

As a qualified electrician I have seen the quality of the duplex outlets commonly in use in rvs and can tell you they are Chinese made crap. If you plug in a device that pulls 10 amps those Chinese made outlets will melt. Many don't even have screw terminals to tighten down the wires. The RV electrical systems that I have seen are very similar to your stick built home but the duplex outlets are just dangerous. You dont strip the insulation and tighten a screw down, you just press the wires into the outlet and snap the rear cover in place. The only thing making a connection in there is a tab of steel pressing through the insulation and onto the wires. quick yes, safe... don't bet on it. And safety first?!? We as consumers should not expect that the outlets be safe... WE SHOULD DEMAND IT by buying only trailers and RVs with RL rated duplex outlets and axles and tires rated to carry the weight of the trailer loaded.
The trailer industry is not overseen by anyone so, they source the cheapest parts they can. In homes I'm not allowed to use duplex outlets like that for a reason. The simply stated are unsafe. Go to home depot and buy bulk RL rated outlets. They at least have screw terminals for 49 cents but a good quality RL rated Leviton 15 amp duplex outlets costs ~4$. I am required by code to use an RL rated outlet when I wire a home... Not so in RVs. Do not trust your life to a cheap outlet that costs 10 cents. It's just not worth it.

In my RV I changed every outlet out and sleep like a baby with the heater on knowing that at least the outlet is capable of handling the current pulled through it. What will it cost to replace every one with a RL rated 15 amp duplex? Maybe 30$? When you see what you have been plugging your iron, hair dryer, space heater, or coffee maker into you will cringe.

-Paul R. Haller-

Brigadoon · 03-28-2011, 07:36 PM

PRH,

Hmm... Good info! I'll have to admit I do not know what kind of outlets are in my mh. I will check. Depending on what I find, I may have another upgrade project.
Thanks.

ga traveler · 03-29-2011, 11:44 AM

I was in the RV business for 15 years. I always recommended and used ceramic Heaters. Never coil heaters. I had a couple who worked for us that bought a new discovery. Two weeks after taking delivery, They left a coil heater on in the bathroom and a towel fell off the rack and burned the rig to the ground. I never had a single customer who had a problem with a ceramic. Of course anything can fail but i feel if you inspect your elec. appl. often, it is safe to use these products. Also, both of my heaters hae thermostats and tip over switches.

Bucksmom · 03-30-2011, 07:52 AM

Hey bachler and everybody else....what a SERVICE to newbies (and eveyone else) this thread is. Thank you

bachler · 03-30-2011, 08:37 AM

I was watching the news last night and I see a motorhome burned out; It appiered to be a 38 Footer. They thought it could have been an electrical short;. I like this forum , as we can shear our experiances.. In a motorhome/rv The electrial fires are most likely started in the wireing as stated many times in this thread; The wire plus the outlets are possable of a 16 gage And not ment to have a constant load of 8 or 10 amps. they have a duty cycle of 60%; meaning they have to get a coffee and potty break; This is achieved by the thermastat; Most ceramic heaters do not cycle ;; they have a High,, medium,, low setting;; At each setting they draw.high 1750 watts. medium 1250 watts,, low 750 watts; This varies with the heater. And they do not cycle meaning it is a constant load.on the line. I want to make this clear , I stated Most, You may have one that has a thermastat, Rather then a reostat; The wireing in most of the older RVS was not heavey enough to support Electrial load. Newer one With the 50 amp service is better, Life is good. Just to short; My friend told me once he almost had life figgered out but darn he died before he told me.

MegaRoadie · 03-30-2011, 09:21 AM

Superslif:

Of particular note here... in the safety directions for just about all hi draw electrical devices there is that nefarious: WARNING DO NOT USE EXTENSION CORDS WITH THIS DEVICE ! And then we wonder why there are fires :(

Read and comply with the warnings on your RV, on your appliances, and even on your auto... might cause a few less deaths or accidents !

MegaRoadie · 03-30-2011, 09:30 AM

Bucksmom: Maybe you missed the posts on Oil Filled heaters... they would be much safer around da kidz and typically they are low current draws vice that ceramic cube heater. Just a thought.

ralper · 03-30-2011, 05:24 PM

I too installed a 20 amp/12 gauge wire outlet and connected it to a high voltage thermostat on the wall. My heater is controled by an accurate thermostat. My problem is the flimsy 16 gauge wire that comes with the heater. Mine was heating up some. I changed the wire to 12 gauge and no more heating of the wire. 14 gauge would have done it but I tend to go a little over what is necessary. That gives me peace of mind.

My electric heater is an oil filled 1500 watt unit that gives nice even heat.

4Knights · 03-30-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaRoadie

Bucksmom: Maybe you missed the posts on Oil Filled heaters... they would be much safer around da kidz and typically they are low current draws vice that ceramic cube heater. Just a thought.

Just make sure you check the CPSC website before you buy an oil filled heater as Lasko and others were recalled numerous times. On the up side the oil filled heaters provide the least risky way to provide radiant heat. http://www.cpsc.gov/

Ron & Wendy 94 Pace Arrow 454