Just one television electric socket? Really?

[lbdesign]

I just bought a Roku and tried to attach it to the flat panel in my new (2015) Airstream. There is what looks like a standard 2-outlet socket there on the wall, plus another for the inverter. But only one of the two sockets actually works. The other one is fake! Just molded plastic. What's going on?!
Can I have an electrician replace it with a standard socket, or is there some secret reason why I can't have two 115v plugs there?

[rmkrum]

On some of these 'fake' sockets, you can kill the power, and open up the thin plastic blank to find a complete socket under there. Then you can use it.

Be doubly darn sure all power is off on the trailer including 12volt to the inverter, and switch the breakers off as well. Getting zapped is no fun. Don't ask me why I know this...


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[SteveSueMac]

Or just get some of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K8A...let+multiplier

[ROBERT CROSS]

Or....maybe it's there for a reason.......like, umm... they really would rather you didn't plug two things into the really high quality inverter?

Bob

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Or....maybe it's there for a reason.......like, umm... they really would rather you didn't plug two things into the really high quality inverter?

Bob

Except on mine there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to which outlet was double and which was single. I had both on the inverter circuits and regular circuits. I had the single changed on warranty.

[AStreamNerds]

I had the same issue with the outlets...

Amazon.com: QVS PPRT-ADPT2 12-Inch 3-Prong Outlet Saver Splitter Power Adapter with 90-Degrees Flat Plug: Electronics

I used one of the above when I installed the AppleTV's behind our screens...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoBdtzwmM1g

[jczednick]

All you need do is go to walmart and buy a 4 or 6 gang plug and plug in outlet or yes the bottom plug is hot, just use a razor knife or a screwdriver to slightly open the plastic and push a plug through. I did this on my 2016 flying cloud. The blank on the inverter is hot too, on inverter.
Joe Zednick

[TBRich]

QUOTE=SteveSueMac;1694458]Or just get some of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K8A...let+multiplier[ QUOTE]

That's what we did. Easy fix ... plus you can use it elsewhere when needed, even in regular plugs.

[wareaglewalt]

Speaking of AppleTV, how do you use yours? I was considering using ours to stream video via AirPlay from iPhone. AppleTV needs a wireless network for this, but I'm thinking not necessarily an internet connection. So possibly I could use an inexpensive wireless router and set up a wireless network to satisfy the AppleTV but not have a connection to the internet. How do others use a video streaming player like AppleTV, Roku, etc. without an internet connection?

[Wayne&Sam]

I have a router in the Airstream for my rearview camera. I've used it as a local network for AirDrop

[stsammy]

My understanding is that the newest version of the Apple TV can tether over Bluetooth, so no wifi required.

I'm going to laugh at myself when my trailer has newer generation tech than my house.

[AStreamNerds]

Originally Posted by wareaglewalt

Speaking of AppleTV, how do you use yours? I was considering using ours to stream video via AirPlay from iPhone. AppleTV needs a wireless network for this, but I'm thinking not necessarily an internet connection. So possibly I could use an inexpensive wireless router and set up a wireless network to satisfy the AppleTV but not have a connection to the internet. How do others use a video streaming player like AppleTV, Roku, etc. without an internet connection?

Check this thread out - http://www.airforums.com/forums/f450...ml#post1687379

I posted all of the info needed to use the AppleTV with Airplay...and yes you no longer need a wifi network for Airplay to work. All you need is the latest model AppleTV3 (model A1469 - number on bottom) and an ipad/iphone. As long as both devices have the latest update Airplay works just fine without the need of network connection of any kind.

[gandttimes]

Sure is amazing how these threads get hijacked. Just getting interested in the answers to the OP's topic, and away we go.


George

[Msmoto]

I have simply broken away the thin plastic which covers the connections behind the outlet cover. In the bedroom I run my external speakers for my television, in the living room, usually plug my computer in.

My guess about the "why" of this being filled in with plastic may be a liability issue as the height of socket, easy accessibility to anyone sitting in the dinette, especially children, may be of concern for the legal bean counters at Jackson Center.

For those who have not removed a socket from the wall, AS uses an "inline" configuration, the duplex sockets simply being pushed over the stripped insulation with out actually cutting the feed wire.

This is my guess today...

[wareaglewalt]

So sorry, George. I have been looking into this AppleTV solution and when Roku box was mentioned, I thought they might help me with my situation. Just call it a sub-thread. These threads don't tend to get very long anyway.

[AStreamNerds]

I guess I helped move it In another direction too...[emoji53]

[Jim Foster]

Originally Posted by wareaglewalt

Speaking of AppleTV, how do you use yours? I was considering using ours to stream video via AirPlay from iPhone. AppleTV needs a wireless network for this, but I'm thinking not necessarily an internet connection. So possibly I could use an inexpensive wireless router and set up a wireless network to satisfy the AppleTV but not have a connection to the internet. How do others use a video streaming player like AppleTV, Roku, etc. without an internet connection?

We use an old Netgear 3G Broadband Wireless Router MBR624GU That we bought many years ago when we used an AT&T Aircard for internet access. I stream from my iPhone and we use it to connect to our Epson wireless printer both in the trailer and at home. Very handy. No internet connection required.

If you are on a data plan, such as Verizon, and you connect to your
AppleTV or printer using your iPhone as a hot spot or your MIFI, the connection will use your data plan when transferring data to those devices. Using a WIFI router with no internet connection is a better deal for those with earlier AppleTV without bluetooth, or when printing or scanning. Scanning uses a load of data.










a

[lbdesign]

Regarding streaming video to the TV, if you have a Roku product, you can use Plex to stream video files stored on your laptop to the TV. Plex is an app you can run on the Roku, and on your laptop to feed videos to it.

[lbdesign]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions on the covered electrical socket. I have asked the dealer to confirm with his factory rep that there is power in there before I cut into it. I took it apart partway and it does look like there are two identical power lines, one for each plug in the 2-plug socket. It's just annoying and inelegant to have to hack away at a plug.
If AS had a liability issue, they could have used the kind of sliding covers for sockets that are common in houses with young children.

That branching power cord with the 90° plug is also nice.
And I do realize I can put a plug multiplier on it, but I want to keep the appearance as simple and close to the wall as possible...