Dummy Inverter Receptacles on newer Airstreams

[Bigventure]

I have a 2013 25FB and some of the inverter receptacles are blank on the bottom half. I thought that whoever makes these, more than likely doesn't make them without the contacts.

So, I cut open the blanks with an Exacto knife and what do you know they work!

FYI turn off the inverter and pull the negitive battery terminal and unplug the trailer.

[idroba]

It is strange why Airstream did that, huh? I wound up just putting a cube tap in the one outlet that was provided. Your solution is also an interesting find. Thanks.

[daveswenson]

Maybe they did that to make it harder to overload the inverter.

[Bigventure]

They did, but it also makes it hard to charge two phones.

As long as you can add a person should be alright. Add up the watts stay below what the inverter is. (700, 800, 1000)

The inverter is also protect with fusses.

[dkottum]

They make these trailers for everyone and someone will plug an electric skillet in one half and a coffee pot in the other, then complain they should only have one side available when it burns out the inverter.

[moosetags]

Some of the 110 volt also have a blank bottom half. I wonder now if there is an active outlet behind the blank. I think that I will do a little investigating tomorrow.

Brian

[Bigventure]

Yes there is an active outlet! Just cut it out with the power off


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[Talowaho]

I accidentally purchased some of these in hardware stores...
At first I thought the electrical covers were victim plastic over pour.

The top outlet usable, the bottom holes filled in with plastic.

Then I saw some in use, mostly in the kitchen. I thought to cut down on the amount of items being plugged into older homes, to avoid blowing fuses. Or because a lot of older home wall outlets were so low to the ground it may have been a code violation and the covers used for safety reasons.

Those uses were in old homes.
Maybe there are electrical code height regulations in our trailers and they had to cover the bottom outlet to make them legal. Versus removing an aluminum panel, reinstalling and cutting a new hole just a bit higher.

Then again maybe it was just plastic overflow.

I don't know. Are there safety codes and regulations for the construction of new trailers and motorhomes similar to those of homes?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Talowaho

I don't know. Are there safety codes and regulations for the construction of new trailers and motorhomes similar to those of homes?

Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) publishes minimum standards for all aspects of RV construction. Airstreams are compliant with RVIA standards.

But as for single-outlet vs. duplex outlet, I honestly don't know if RVIA Standards require the use of single outlets anywhere in a trailer; I know the standards exist, but I'm not fully conversant with them.

[Wayne&Sam]

It seems hit and miss to me. They install which ever outlet they grab out of the box. My front tv has a double 110 and a single inverter outlet. The TV in the bedroom is the opposite.


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[lsbrodsky]

Right after I bought my AS I decided I wanted to have duplex outlets where they installed those strange singles. I removed one, saw it was fully connected and used my Dremel tool to grind out the plastic. I also bought some replacement duplex on Amazon since those outlets are funny shallow things unlike anything in your house.
Larry

[lewster]

Yep,

Those funny little shallow outlets are, IMHO, cheap garbage and a constant source of problems in RVs. You won't find them in a house or in any type of marine application.

They are also called 'speed wire' outlets because you simply snap the Romex into the back. The 2 blades pierce the insulation and make contact with the solid wire, sort of like a 3M Scotchlok connector for DC. Much quicker on the production line than wiring a standard outlet or switch, which saves the OEM $$$.

I get a bunch of service calls every year to solve dead circuit/outlet problems and these outlets are usually responsible for the problems, as the blades eventually eat thru the solid copper and break the wire.

The other reason these are used is the very shallow depth, since the wall thickness in many RVs is 2". There are other, superior alternatives!!!




Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by lewster

Yep,

Those funny little shallow outlets are, IMHO, cheap garbage and a constant source of problems in RVs. You won't find them in a house or in any type of marine application.

They are also called 'speed wire' outlets because you simply snap the Romex into the back. The 2 blades pierce the insulation and make contact with the solid wire, sort of like a 3M Scotchlok connector for DC. Much quicker on the production line than wiring a standard outlet or switch, which saves the OEM $$$.

I get a bunch of service calls every year to solve dead circuit/outlet problems and these outlets are usually responsible for the problems, as the blades eventually eat thru the solid copper and break the wire.

The other reason these are used is the very shallow depth, since the wall thickness in many RVs is 2". There are other, superior alternatives!!!




Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

Sorry for the late revival on this thread but I figured , no need to start another.
I was going to change the plugs to get the two inlets and had the same questions.
Lew, what are the "better "alternatives if one wants to change these outlets so both sides can be used?


George

[lsbrodsky]

You can get the receptacles with both outlets open from Amazon. They are common in RV's apparently.
Larry

[gandttimes]

Thanks Larry.


George

[lewster]

Originally Posted by gandttimes

Sorry for the late revival on this thread but I figured , no need to start another.
I was going to change the plugs to get the two inlets and had the same questions.
Lew, what are the "better "alternatives if one wants to change these outlets so both sides can be used?


George

Depending on the location of the outlet, I often replace the RV style press-in type outlets with quality residential outlets. These work especially well with remodel boxes in cabinets. If you want to replace the originals that are mounted in the trailer's side walls, you will need a box extension, which you can find in any big box home center.

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by lewster

Depending on the location of the outlet, I often replace the RV style press-in type outlets with quality residential outlets. These work especially well with remodel boxes in cabinets. If you want to replace the originals that are mounted in the trailer's side walls, you will need a box extension, which you can find in any big box home center.

OK, so there is no difference between the " electrics" of the two outlets, just quality?



George

[BAB]

...as Lew notes, these "speedier" outlets leave much to be desired. I have replaced three of them on my new trailer, but for different reasons: a) the outdoor outlet has a plastic cover -- I prefer stainless steel, so when I replaced the cover, I replaced the outlet, b) I find it a major convenience to have USB outlets where I spend time -- so I replaced the two 120V outlets adjacent to either side of my sofa/recliner with 120V/USB outlets. I suppose the "speed wire" work OK, but it makes me uncomfortable....particularly when they also serve as a junction box for other circuits.