I've been around RVs most of my life (owning several types and brands) and I would have say that for the most part they are correct in their assessment. Manufacturers seem to be more concerned about making money than satisfied customers. I can take you through any RV park in the United States or Canada and show you more dissatisfied and disgruntled RV customers than you can imagine. It's staggering, frankly, and I hope the few RV manufacturers who emerge from this economic depression change their ways and begin producing high quality products with quality materials and craftsmanship even if it does cost a little more.
I currently own what is considered one of America's high end motorhomes. To be honest, I will say it is well built where it counts (chassis and box) but I still run across stuff that makes me shake my head and say to myself, “What were they thinking?” Like the electric plugs (duplex receptacles) they purchase in bulk for a few cents (exactly what they are worth).
All my coach plugs are located on one circuit (dumb). So when Mrs. Professor plugs in her hair dryer in the bathroom and I'm running the toaster in the galley the circuit trips. She's learned to ask if the coast is clear before she turns on her hair dryer.
I recently experienced a power loss in all my electric plugs.
It took me several days and help from my RV brand forum to locate the problem. One of the cheap electric plugs shorted out and it took me a while to find the offender. Once I replaced it, all was well until the others began to fail.I replaced the plugs we use most often with heavy duty 20 amp duplex receptacles. You get what you pay for in electric components, so spend the few extra bucks and buy something that will give you good service. In the video I go through step by step how to change out an RV electric plug.
Whenever your electric plugs loose power and all your other appliances (like your microwave) are working properly check the GFI first. Sometimes these trip and if you forget about them, you could spend a couple hours trying to fix the problem when all it requires is to reset the GFI.
I also recommend using electrician screwdrivers (instead of an electric drill with a screwdriver attachment) as they will quickly crank in electric screws and won't strip the threads like a power drill.
Here is the installation video - enjoy!Staying plugged into the RV lifestyle – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
14 comments:
Dear Perfesser,
Thanks for the info on the duplex receptacles. I had never seen those cheap versions before I spent time in an RV. And I shudder when I pull my plugs out from certain receptacles, as the entire receptacle moves. They aren't fastened to a stud like in a house.
BTW - they ain't PLUGS. They are OUTLETS, or RECEPTACLES. You push a PLUG into an OUTLET.
being a maintenance man at a 108 unit townhouse complex, I can appreciate what you're experiencing. While everything else seemed to be built well, the electrical contractor used the cheapo brand of outlet. I've replace hundreds of them over the past few years!
The video about installing outlets was already disabled. Is it available elsewhere?
Is this just for 50amp units or can the 20amp duplex receptacles be installed on my 30amp travel trailer.
An easy way to remember which wire goes where, black to brass screw. It is usually a good idea to check and make sure the outlet works before you cover it all up.
Burce and Jenna - you are most certainly correct that duplex receptacles are not called plugs. I apologize for the improper terminology. Shocking! :)
Jim, with all your expertise, why not spend some time with us MAPS RV Volunteers, an Assembly of God group!
Jim,
Many of our RV's don't even have the electrical box like your motorhome. Many of the RV's have an integral box/receptacle. These require the installation of a box, I prefer the plastic type, for existing work. After the installation of the box the rest of the job is like your video instructions
Problem is most RV's don't have a standard residential duplex receptacle/wall box as is shown - most have the modular receptacle/cover/box as one unit. When you remove these there is no box to install the residential receptacle - so this video is only good for a very small minority of RV owners
Professor Wamly: Best to leave the RV repair to The RV Dr.Sincerely DJ
Hi Jim.
I'm an electrician up here in Canada.(retired) I appove of your video but would like to make a couple of suggestions.I noticed when attaching the wires to the terminal that you used both screws of recepticle on both sides. This is legal by code but many of us don't like it because the current used by everything beyond the rec. you are replacing travels between the two screw. If you look at the side of the rec.you will see a small copper strip that joins the two screws together so all the current runs through that copper strip and can over heat, and if that rec. fails every rec from that point on is also dead. The rec with screws with the holes to place the wires behind the screws to tighten are good but put both wires under one screw and never use the rec. that has the holes that hold the wire without a screw to tighten because it will fail over time because heat will buildup because of poor contact with the wire and will burn. Those cheap rec. should be outlawed and never used.
If you need an electrician to change the rec. insist he or she join the wires in the rec.box and run a short black and white wire out to the new rec.(like the ground wire was in the video. In closing the suggestions I have given are to let you know that even though the builders of RVs cuts cost on parts they also do the job quickly, my boss always got after us saying time is money cut corners..PS I never did!
RV manufacturers will build quality units when RV buyers are willing to pay for them. Note the typical comments on the RV.net Forum: `Is this a good deal' or `How much off MSRP will they go', etc. Never `what is the best built RV out there'?
Some of the best built RV's are no longer made because of that approach.
Jim, there are manufacturer's out there where quality is important. Lazy Daze in Montclair uses the best materials and components available. I haven't had one single problem in over 15 years.
Jim,
I not only second the post of the anonymous electrician but recommend forming good habits when dealing with electricity. Specifically I recommend that one get in the habit of always connecting the white (neutral) wire first. I know, I know the electricity is disconnected right? I've been in the situation where another person walked into the dark house and said "oh, the breaker tripped". Fortunately I wasn't attaching a hot wire at the time, but....! Good habitscost nothing.
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