My Most Dreaded Post

[Toytaco2]

Hello fellow Jacks of All Trades. This is the post I’ve been thinking about and dreading since I started my build last December. I’m to the point its time to put in my electrics. I’ve read countless threads on the subject and have finally become convinced my trailer will burn to ground the instant I connect the power source. My consolation is that I will not have to watch it burn since the resulting 1.21 jigawatts (Great Scott) will have taken me out by then. Seriously, I come away from some threads with more questions than I started with.

I believe my electrics are pretty minimal. 2 12volt porch lights, 2 12volt fluorescents in the cabin, a Fantastic Vent and a 12 volt fluorescent for the Galley and perhaps a couple of 12 volt sockets for those flexible reading light things. The 3 fluorescents pull about .6 amps each and the fan could draw about 3.5 amps on high (under 2 amps on low). I have a CTEK 7000 smart charger which, when shore power is available, should recharge my battery faster than it can be drained by these items. I will have a couple of 110 outlets in the galley, same in the cabin. I cannot envision ever using the 110 for more than running a DVD, laptop PC, or small coffee maker and, of course, the CTEK charger. I’ll install the 12volt stuff after the 110, so I’ll confine my questions for now to 110 only:

Is it a bad idea to consider using one of these short GFCI Extensions like this:




Combined with a couple of power strips with built in circuit breakers in order to keep things simple. Could I just plug the charger into one of the 3 extension outlets and the two power strips in the other two outlets? Obviously, I would need a long extension cord to run from the power pole to the trailer. If the consensus is this is a not an acceptable idea, then I’ll be plying you all with endless circuit breaker questions and grounding/wiring issues.

[starleen2]

Many are doing exactly what you are suggesting. However remember that there is a difference between GFI and a circut breaker. GFI cuts power in case of grounding issues - a breaker cuts power from an overload. The GFI should protect everything attached after it. Just make sure the power strips have a built in re-setable breaker (15 amps should be plenty)and you should be good to go.

[halfdome, Danny]

If it were me I'd get a simple wiring book like this one and use it to wire your TD. The basic principals apply to 110 volt ac as they do for 12 volt dc but don't ever mix the two. A 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker followed with a GFCI plug to plug in your charger will be the cleanest way to go. you can branch off the GFCI to other plugs and they will also be protected if you follow the wiring directions. I use a boating exterior waterproof plug on the outside wired to the circuit breaker. I plug an extension cord into it from the power source. Take your time, be careful and you'll figure it out. Others may have a different opinion but this has worked wonderful for me on two teardrop's. Danny

[Ken A Hood]

When I finally get mine wired I plan on taking it to an electrican or RV service center to get them to check it over; yes it'll cost a few bucks but it'll be safe and give me piece of mind.

[Dale M.]

Why is GFI always a after thought as in.... " put GFI device after breaker"...

Why not just use GFI-BREAKER...... Best of both worlds in one unit.... The ultimate in simplicity.... Isn't that TD credo....

Dale

[madjack]

T-2, I use a 25" 12ga extension cord, that has a GFIC built into the plug, which works similar to what you have shown and it feeds my breakers....fusing it to feed a circuit breaker protected strip should work just fine and you could probably find a nice construction rated strip right next to where you found the GFIC....
madjack

[halfdome, Danny]

Why is GFI always a after thought as in.... " put GFI device after breaker"...

Why not just use GFI-BREAKER...... Best of both worlds in one unit.... The ultimate in simplicity.... Isn't that TD credo....

Dale

That may be true if it's cheaper that way but if your using a battery Tender your going to need a duplex plug anyway. Danny

[Miriam C.]

Yo hooo! Awake here. No you can't and won't need to put a bunch of strips on with your charger. Honestly one should be plenty.

You can use the device you are looking at. You can plug up your charger. Anything after that depends on total amp draw. You need to know how many you are using at the time.

Good luck.

[Toytaco2]

:?

Yo hooo! Awake here. No you can't and won't need to put a bunch of strips on with your charger. Honestly one should be plenty.

Miriam, can you explain a little more what you mean. I understand that you must always be aware of the total amp draw no matter how you do things.

If, instead of the device shown, I go to setting up a hard wired circuit breaker, where do most of you locate the "service/load box"? The ones I've seen seem pretty big and I didn't really want to give up that much space to this. Also, aren't there the same "be aware of the total amps" issues even with this type setup?

Since my 1st post I have seen another device similar to the one I showed before except that it includes a GFCI plug, 15 amp breaker and several outlets all in one unit. Would that be a better choice for a simple "plug and play" solution?