Furrion 30 Amp Shore Power Inlet

[AZORCA]

Hello All-
The other day I broke the cover to our shore power inlet... I went to the local dealer and bought the replacement for $45. Of course I cant just replace the cover I need to replace the entire inlet.. My question is if anyone has done this before, according to step 11 in the instructions I need to tighten the terminal screws to 14-16 in-lbs torque. I went to a local hardware store as well as a local auto parts store and neither place carried a torque screwdriver. Is this a must or can I just tighten the terminal screws hand tight plus a little extra? Thanks for any input!

[SailorSam205]

I'm NOT an electrician, but my thought on this is, get the connection as tight as you can with your screwdriver. You don't want those wires coming loose. 14 inch/pounds is simply slightly higher than 1 foot pound. 12 inches = 1 foot!

[The Colonel]

I just replaced my power inlets with the Smartplug and have kissed the plastic screw mess gooodby.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by dblee1950

I just replaced my power inlets with the Smartplug and have kissed the plastic screw mess gooodby.

That is my next modification/upgrade, as soon as we get back from our trip this weekend. Replacing both power inlets and the cable/satellite one so they're all stainless steel.

[The Colonel]

The only thing I don't like is that smartplug doesn't make one for the cable tv cover. I've ordered the ss other one for now

[Boxite]

It might be helpful to know the average guy can place 35 ft-lbs of torque using a wrench with one hand, and 10 ft-lbs of torque twisting a screwdriver with one hand.
12 in-lbs is equivalent to one foot pound.

So, using one hand firmly tightening the screws should easily meet their recommendations. (But remember....just because a little-torque is good... doesn't mean a LOT of torque is better.)

[The Colonel]

Good thing about the Smartplug is the connections are tightened with a hex wrench. Not sure there is a torque, I just tightened the heck out of them and all is well

[ericpeltier]

I'd never heard of this product until this thread!

https://www.amazon.com/SmartPlug-BM3...s=smartplug+RV

Entertain me with why you like it better than the typical round plug?

[ericpeltier]

ooo-eee, those smartplug cords are SPENDY!

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by ericpeltier

I'd never heard of this product until this thread!

https://www.amazon.com/SmartPlug-BM3...s=smartplug+RV

Entertain me with why you like it better than the typical round plug?

Got tired of screwing around (no pun intended) with the cheap plastic ring. Had to crank it down or shore side was loose. On cold mornings it was difficult to unscrew. The female side connections were already showing signs of wear. The blue light went out on the AS side receptacle and you can't change just the led. That presented enough encouragement to me to swap stuff out. The smartplug, albeit expensive is extremely well built and connects with a push of the plug. Disconnects remarkably easily with a squeeze of the side locks. I'm pleased but haven't put AS on the road with these yet. Next week will be real world test.

[The Colonel]

Oh, I got a female plug and turned my old cord into an extension cord

[HiJoeSilver]

Had a similar install on a different product, similar torque requirements, said if no torque screwdriver available, snug plus 1/2 turn, snug being play taken out of pinch point.

[MelGoddard]

Put any kind of a lubrication on the threads and the face of the screw, and you can really tighten it up. However....... It's easy to overtighten the screw and strip the threads. This idea is useful where stainless steel screws are hard to tighten, (High friction Factor), or the slot of the screw is damaged, and does not give much drive.
Basic idea? Seat the screw then 1/8th. of a turn. No more than a 1/4 for sure.
Oil is a good basic lube, grease is kinda extreme.

Look after your equipment, it will look after you. and.......
"Never eat more than you can lift." Miss piggy