Blue Outlet Boxes - Necessary?

[Tommy2tone_1999]

Are these a necessity when wiring a teardrop? Is their a safety concern by not using them on 12V or 110V outlets?

[bobhenry]

I have 5 builds and all have the blue (or grey) Carlon boxes. Are they necessary ? I don't know ! But there are few convenient ways to mount duplex outlets and switches without them. I simply never went looking for an alternative because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. You might think about the little 1/2 depth boxes They only require 3/4" deep wall. The only set back is there is little if any room to make multiple splices and still have room for the outlets or switch.





I have surface mounted the 1/2 boxes by simply screwing them to the galley wall and they look just fine. If you want to be artsy you could wood trim around them.



Here is left to right a duplex outlet a pair of toggle switches for ac and dc dome light and a DC outlet. I placed a 1x1 spacer behind the panel they are mounted on to act as a wire chase for a neater look.

[jonw]

I used shallow versions of the blue plastic ones for all my 120v outlets - just safer and easier to work in, plus they provide a means of mounting outlets and plates that are standard and look good.

I didn't use them for my 12v wiring but all the 12V fuses and patch panels are in a covered and sealed area so they can accidentally be shorted by anything moving around in my teardrop.