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IrishRover2 · 01-22-2007, 01:39 PM

Hi All,
I'm a new owner of a 28' classic and need some help.

How do I get power to at least one outlet when dry camping? A member of my family has trouble breathing at night a needs to use a CPAP breathing machine. The machine runs on both AC or DC power but I have no idea how to get power to it.

I suppose I can just run an extention cord from a generator but there's got to be a better way, suggestions ?

Mike
Irish Rover Too

wkerfoot · 01-22-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Behan

Hi All,
I'm a new owner of a 28' classic and need some help.

How do I get power to at least one outlet when dry camping? A member of my family has trouble breathing at night a needs to use a CPAP breathing machine. The machine runs on both AC or DC power but I have no idea how to get power to it.

I suppose I can just run an extention cord from a generator but there's got to be a better way, suggestions ?

Mike
Irish Rover Too

Mike,

If it runs on 12V DC, plug it into a 12V outlet. There should be at least one somewhere in the trailer. Do you have a factory installed inverter? If so, turn it on and plug the 110V plug into one of the inverter marked outlets.

Bill

**moosetags** · 01-22-2007, 01:56 PM

There should be at least a couple cgarette lighter 12 volt recepticles inside your trailer that you could use. If you are using a generator, just plug the whole trailer into the generator and use the 110 volt outlet.

wkerfoot · 01-22-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

There should be at least a couple cgarette lighter 12 volt recepticles inside your trailer that you could use. If you are using a generator, just plug the whole trailer into the generator and use the 110 volt outlet.

Yeah but, then you would have to run the generator all night to use the CPAP machine.

Bill

IrishRover2 · 01-22-2007, 02:20 PM

Hi,
I realize this is a dumb question but how do I hook up a generator to the trailer. I've read the manual backwards and forward and don't see how to do it. My 2004 Classic has the 120 volt "shore line" and all the generators I've seen only have the 110 receptacles. Is there some kind of plug adaptor I can use or?

Mike

Fyrzowt · 01-22-2007, 02:23 PM

120 and 110 are basically interchangeable terms. Just plug that cord into the generator.
Dave

Condoluminum · 01-22-2007, 02:34 PM

You may need an "Adapter" to fit the trailer plug (which is likely a 30A big round thing..) and the receptacle on the generator (which is astd wall plug kind of receptacle.. Almost any RV dealer or parts place sell them. They are like the gray things used for three pronged plugs going into two slot receptacles.. Don't change voltage, just enable physical connection.

Alternatively, if you have no generator, we run TV or laptop charger from a small inverter, about the size of a bar of soap, that plugs into round 12V socket, and delivers 110V alernating electrical power through slotted plug. Works well if CPAP doesn't take a lot of amperes to operate it... Most little ones are rated at a few hundred watts....

IrishRover2 · 01-22-2007, 02:38 PM

Okay, I hear you, but I'm still confused. The plug from the trailer is similar to the kind of plug you have on an electric dryer, going into your homes 220 receptacle. You know the kind, oversized with the two flat pins at 45 degree angles and a pin in the middle bottom.

Obviously I'm not and electrician so please bare with me on this.

Fyrzowt · 01-22-2007, 02:41 PM

That's why you need the RV adaptor that John was referring to. Available at any RV store or WalMart.

Condoluminum · 01-22-2007, 02:44 PM

Yep.. That's a 30A plug, intended for 110V and enough watts (or amps) to run an air conditioner and several other things while charging the batteries...

The Adapter you need is a round block about 2 1/2" in diameter, that the trailer plug will plug into, and that has regular household type electrical plug on other end that will plug neatly into the socket on the side or end of the generator...

Camping World sells this one for less than $20..
20-Amp RV Generator Adapter - Camping World

IrishRover2 · 01-22-2007, 02:45 PM

Thanks

wkerfoot · 01-22-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Behan

Thanks

Mike,

You need to go to a rally and have someone help you with all of these new owner questions. Where is CV, Central Valley?

Bill

IrishRover2 · 01-22-2007, 02:47 PM

Thanks for taking the time to educate a rookie. It all make good sense to me now. I really apprecite it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you out there!

Condoluminum · 01-22-2007, 02:58 PM

Mike-

That adapter plug works anywhere you have electricity, but not a full 30Amp circuit. You shouldn't run the A/C without a 30A hookup, but you can use it to charge trailer batteries, or if you were to be camped in a friend's driveway, for example, using an extension cord for power..

The inverter looks like this:

Pocket Power Inverter, 100-Watt - Camping World

It will supply enough power for a 100 Watt gadget, but not enough for something like a microwave oven or hair dryer or coffee maker. They come larger, but might overload the 12V circuit in your trailer, or blow a fuse...

John McG

IrishRover2 · 01-22-2007, 02:59 PM

Hi Bill,
CV=Chula Vista, just down Interstate 5 from you. A rally sound like fun and a good place to get started. Know of any coming up in the next few months ?

Goin camping · 01-22-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Behan

Thanks for taking the time to educate a rookie. It all make good sense to me now. I really apprecite it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you out there!

Mike, If you can get up to Casini even if its only for the day I know someone will walk you through the process and if you let them know in advance on the Casini thread they'd even bring examples of what you'll need.

Someone wanted to compare generators two Rallies ago and a couple of folks brought their generators so a guy could test and compare them.

These NorCal people are wierd. They'll actually help anybody that asks. Just don't go camping with them. You'll get hooked!

Milo

wkerfoot · 01-22-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Behan

Hi Bill,
CV=Chula Vista, just down Interstate 5 from you. A rally sound like fun and a good place to get started. Know of any coming up in the next few months ?

Mike,

Chula Vista, Chula Vista the name of a song on the first HomeGrown album produced by the radio station KGB in about 1972.

El Camino Real has a rally at Pechange RV Park from March 7 to 11. We will be there but not until Friday night. PM me with your email address and I will send you the coupon and schedule. Our current pres is in Oceanside and two years ago pres in San Diego (Point Loma).

Bill

Fyrzowt · 01-22-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

These NorCal people are wierd. They'll actually help anybody that asks. Just don't go camping with them. You'll get hooked!

Or arrested

(He said, tongue-in-cheek)

Goin camping · 01-22-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

Or arrested

(He said, tongue-in-cheek)

Arrested? NEVER!! We came close though.

You really should have seen the Rangers face when he was asking about "gunshot noises" and someone called out. "Hey Doorgunner!." Priceless.

CanoeStream · 01-22-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Yeah but, then you would have to run the generator all night to use the CPAP machine.

Bill? While dry camping I've had my furnace motor running for long times at night. Would you really think a low amperage motor on a CPAP would draw enough to discharge the batteries?

Mike, you want to make sure you don't discharge lead-acid batteries below 45%. Going below that will harm the plates and lessen their capacity and longevity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Condoluminum

Yep.. That's a 30A plug, intended for 110V and enough watts (or amps) to run an air conditioner and several other things while charging the batteries...

The Adapter you need is a round block about 2 1/2" in diameter, that the trailer plug will plug into, and that has regular household type electrical plug on other end that will plug neatly into the socket on the side or end of the generator...

Camping World sells this one for less than $20..
20-Amp RV Generator Adapter - Camping World

Condoluminum -- that is the wrong adapter. 20A is an uncommon adapter -- my 3HP qoos planer in the basement uses a 20A plug (one at right angles). Mike, you want a 30A-15A adapter -- ends like this one at Camping world: 30-Amp-to-15-Amp Twist-Lock Adapter - Camping World The 15A end is the normal three-way AC plugin you see at home with the ground -- these are actually available at local farm-fleet store trailer sections -- or any RV dealer. Gensets output thru a 15A plug unless you have one capable of putting out high amperage. Do not run your A/C if you're only working from only 15A output; it could burn out the compressor with continued use.