Passing 120V AC power cord into 21'

[War Eagle]

I had been threatening to do this for some time and finally did it. I drilled out a manufacturing plug on the bottom rear corner on the driver side (first photo) just big enough to squeeze an extension cord cable through (leaving male end on the outside; second photo) and wired a female receptacle to the cord on the inside under the dinette seat. Purpose? To run a dehumidifier inside the camper without having to power up the camper's entire electrical system. I know others have accomplished this same thing in other ways, but this worked for me. Only thing that slowed me down was fishing the cable around a little bit where it entered the cabin. I think ETI says this hole is not supposed to be used as a weep hole and should remain plugged, but the snug-fitting cord now serves as the plug (really snug fitting to keep ants and bugs out).

[cpaharley2008]

I did something similar so that I can use my 30 amp set up inside without pulling out the heavy cord. But this can be used separately for your purpose, also.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I did something similar so that I can use my 30 amp set up inside without pulling out the heavy cord. But this can be used separately for your purpose, also.

Jim, I saw your post a few days back on another thread (nice job), and that's what finally inspired me to do mine (that and the rising Summer humidity down here). I didn't want to cut a hole through my hatch when I already had a small plugged hole in the hull big enough for a 15 amp cord when that's all I needed to run my dehumidifier.

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

I had been threatening to do this for some time and finally did it. I drilled out a manufacturing plug on the bottom rear corner on the driver side (first photo) just big enough to squeeze an extension cord cable through (leaving male end on the outside; second photo) and wired a female receptacle to the cord on the inside under the dinette seat. Purpose? To run a dehumidifier inside the camper without having to power up the camper's entire electrical system. I know others have accomplished this same thing in other ways, but this worked for me. Only thing that slowed me down was fishing the cable around a little bit where it entered the cabin. I think ETI says this hole is not supposed to be used as a weep hole and should remain plugged, but the snug-fitting cord now serves as the plug (really snug fitting to keep ants and bugs out).
Attachment 39611


Attachment 39610

What will you do with the cord when you drive down the road? Let it dangle? Remove it and otherwise fill the hole?

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by sclifrickson

What will you do with the cord when you drive down the road? Let it dangle? Remove it and otherwise fill the hole?

I left the outside pigtail long enough to tuck it behind and secure it to the sewer hose storage tube. Other than that, I'd like to find a cap for the plug to help minimize potential corrosion of the exposed brass contact blades.

[EdColorado]

A simple cap.

Wrap the plug in aluminum foil. I do that with padlocks that are exposed to the weather.

Enjoy your travels.

Ed

[Jim Bennett]

What am I missing here with adding a 15A service cord? I have never had a bit of trouble with the 30A one I was supplied with on any trailer. I do carry a 15A to 30A adaptor for places (like my drive) with only a 15A service.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

What am I missing here with adding a 15A service cord? I have never had a bit of trouble with the 30A one I was supplied with on any trailer. I do carry a 15A to 30A adaptor for places (like my drive) with only a 15A service.

I think we've already discussed this in a previous thread, but we have the detachable 30A cord, and whatever cord I use will stretch across our driveway from outlet to camper and be exposed to our intense Southern sun and other elements. I don't want to be driving over our nice 30A cord or have to disconnect and re-connect it every time a vehicle comes or goes, and I don't want to leave the 30A cord exposed to the elements any more than necessary. On the other hand, I don't mind driving over a relatively inexpensive and easily replaceable 15A extension cord nor leaving it out in the elements. I, too, have a 15A to 30A adaptor that can be attached at the camper for use with a regular extension cord, but using that involves activating the whole EMS, which I don't want to do if not necessary. Anyway if all that is not sufficient justification, then I just wanted to do it, and that's good enough for me.