Outlet Behind TV

[JerryP]

I am trying to add an outlet under the kitchen cabinets. I was going to daisy chain from the outlet behind the TV, however I found that the outlet has some kind of relay on it. Can anybody identify what it does? There are regular wires 120V, attached to the bottom posts on the outlet. The wires connecting to the relay seem to be 12V wires. This outlet is connected to the inverter.

[dvspl]

Do you have a trailer or motorhome? Year and model of your rig will help others help you figure it out. If it's a motorhome, this relay is likely related to disabling the TV while engine ignition is on (prevents driver from being distracted by TV).

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by dvspl

If it's a motorhome, this relay is likely related to disabling the TV while engine ignition is on (prevents driver from being distracted by TV).

Exactly....You can replace the outlet with a standard one, just cut and cap the 12 v wires.

[JimD]

One item not considered. All other outlets in the kitchen area should be on a GFIC string. If you add an additional outlet in the area you should use a GFCI one for safety.

[craigav]

Originally Posted by JerryP

I am trying to add an outlet under the kitchen cabinets. I was going to daisy chain from the outlet behind the TV, however I found that the outlet has some kind of relay on it. Can anybody identify what it does? There are regular wires 120V, attached to the bottom posts on the outlet. The wires connecting to the relay seem to be 12V wires. This outlet is connected to the inverter.

Another point to keep in mind, that plug like you mentioned is also connected into the inverter, the factory inverter (on my RV, likely others) is only 400 watts. That is plenty for the TV and I have also ran my laptop to it, however 400 watts isn't a lot to daisy chain off of for a kitchen outlet as most kitchen appliances likely will exceed 400 watts. If you only wanted another outlet, I would suggest to chain off of the microwave outlet, or as mentioned earlier, chain off of an outlet on the GFCI circuit. Also, there are other posts in the forums that describe in good details about how to disconnect the 12v wires and\or bypass the relay if you wanted to have the TV on while the key is on. ~CA

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by JimD

One item not considered. All other outlets in the kitchen area should be on a GFIC string. If you add an additional outlet in the area you should use a GFCI one for safety.

you can add a standard outlet to a GFI string. You only need I GFI at the start of the string. All will be protected.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by craigav

(on my RV, likely others) is only 400 watts.

They bumped it to 1000 on my 2016.
1000 watt Xantrex.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by Cavie

you can add a standard outlet to a GFI string. You only need I GFI at the start of the string. All will be protected.

Yes that's true but if he taps off the TV outlet, it is not in the GFCI I string. Ideally he should tap off an outlet already near the kitchen area that is on the string.

[JerryP]

I apologize, it is a 2020 Entegra Quest MH on a Sprinter body. One of my first projects on this MH is to take out the 1,000W inverter and replace it with a 2,000W inverter. MH came with a Magnum CSW 1012 replacing with a CSW2012. This particular outlet is on a circuit with three other outlets that are being fed from the inverter. The circuit for the kitchen is on a GFCI circuit.
Based on the installation manual the existing wiring to the battery is the correct size for the new inverter
I am going to test out the TV to see if it will turn on with the MH ruining.

[Grumpy]

Here's an entire thread about that relay..

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...-on-11021.html

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by JimD

Yes that's true but if he taps off the TV outlet, it is not in the GFCI I string. Ideally he should tap off an outlet already near the kitchen area that is on the string.

If the TV outlet is within 6' of a water storage then it is one a GFI string. If the TV outlet is on an inverter it most likely on a GFI circuit.

[JerryP]

I did a check on that outlet I verified that it is a safety relay to keep the TV from operating while the MH engine is running.
Thank you for the help.