Question about a shore power mod.

Atlee · 08-23-2020, 06:46 AM

Since my 22J comes with a compartment to store the shore power cord, I'm thinking about this possible mod.

I would cut the shore power cord inside the compartment. I would put a female receptacle on the short end. I would put a male plug on the long cord.

This would allow me to plug the short cord into the PI EMS, then plug the power cord into the PI EMS. This way my portable EMS would be tucked away out of the sight of lustful eyes.

Think this would work well?

gprapim · 08-23-2020, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlee

Since my 22J comes with a compartment to store the shore power cord, I'm thinking about this possible mod.

I would cut the shore power cord inside the compartment. I would put a female receptacle on the short end. I would put a male plug on the long cord.

This would allow me to plug the short cord into the PI EMS, then plug the power cord into the PI EMS. This way my portable EMS would be tucked away out of the sight of lustful eyes.

Think this would work well?

Many of us have done that exact thing. It has worked well for me for years, now. Go for it !!

tom463219 · 08-24-2020, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gprapim

Many of us have done that exact thing. It has worked well for me for years, now. Go for it !!

X2 I also keep my PI Unit in there. Never had any problems.

rgolding · 08-24-2020, 07:34 AM

It works! I've done it on 3 different units. On the first one I used a permanent wired in unit. The problem with that is I couldn't take it with me and I couldn't remove it from the system if it was causing a problem. (some generators don't like the metering of correct power and cause a fault) So just buy a couple of more female male connections and make it so the Surge protector can be removed. Just my thoughts, your results may prove different.

Camper_bob · 08-24-2020, 07:43 AM

I did that shore power mod as well, and I intend to hook up my EMS just the way you're describing. It'll be nice to have it in a locked compartment.

One tidbit of advice: Since you're going to be in the area anyway, I would go into the junction box at the back of the compartment where the shore power connects and check to make sure those connections are good and tight. Also check the clamps on both sides of the box to make sure pulling on the cords from outside the box, the connected ends don't move inside the junction box.

I had a problem where one of my wire nuts popped off and melted some wires in there. Could EASILY have caused a fire. Turned out the clamps on the outside of the box weren't tight enough and me monkeying with the short pig-tail caused a connection inside the box to come loose.

Thankfully I caught it and fixed it before there was any extensive damage.

Marshmellow · 08-24-2020, 01:52 PM

I guess I'm too trustworthy, I leave my EMS plugged into the campground pedestal.

Cavie · 08-24-2020, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlee

Since my 22J comes with a compartment to store the shore power cord, I'm thinking about this possible mod.

I would cut the shore power cord inside the compartment. I would put a female receptacle on the short end. I would put a male plug on the long cord.

This would allow me to plug the short cord into the PI EMS, then plug the power cord into the PI EMS. This way my portable EMS would be tucked away out of the sight of lustful eyes.

Think this would work well?

You have that backwards. Shore power cord would have 2 male ends.
a deadly combination.

Camper_bob · 08-24-2020, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavie

You have that backwards. Shore power cord would have 2 male ends.
a deadly combination.

Ya, it needs to be a male pigtail out of the junction box. To plug into the female end of a normal, store bought shore power cord, the male end of which plugs into shore power outlet at post, or generator.

Mahatnmacoat · 08-25-2020, 02:54 PM

Cavie and Camper-bob have it right. The supply end of all eletrical cords are male and the load end female. Think about it for a second whether it's a lamp at home or a 50 amp shore cord the blades, the male end plugs into the wall socket or the pedestal. The mod you describe would leave a hot male end with its exposed blades out in the open. Sooner or later someone is going to become a field of resistance. I do like the idea of plugging into the already secured surge protector. It's a neat tidy and simpler arrangement.

drmike961 · 08-25-2020, 04:06 PM

I have been thinking about this mod as well. Dragging the tangled cord in and out of the bottom of the compartment hole is driving me nuts. I spent some time researching this mod but kept finding reviews with unhappy folks complaining of how cheap the parts were made and felt that the connections were not secure enough. There did not seem to be many brands to choose from that didn't look like Chinese junk. Anyone very pleased and have a link to the parts that they recommend.

Love To Travel 2 · 08-25-2020, 08:25 PM

This mod was discussed here on the JOF several years ago and I thought it was a great idea. Someone mentioned at that time in one of the posts, and I don't have any further information to go on, that we should be cautious of heat generated by the EMS in a closed compartment. I have no idea if this is true or not, nor have I tested the theory, but I thought I would just throw this out to the group as an FYI.

Cavie · 08-25-2020, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Love To Travel 2

This mod was discussed here on the JOF several years ago and I thought it was a great idea. Someone mentioned at that time in one of the posts, and I don't have any further information to go on, that we should be cautious of heat generated by the EMS in a closed compartment. I have no idea if this is true or not, nor have I tested the theory, but I thought I would just throw this out to the group as an FYI.

There is no heat generated by an EMS.

Cavie · 08-25-2020, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmike961

I have been thinking about this mod as well. Dragging the tangled cord in and out of the bottom of the compartment hole is driving me nuts. I spent some time researching this mod but kept finding reviews with unhappy folks complaining of how cheap the parts were made and felt that the connections were not secure enough. There did not seem to be many brands to choose from that didn't look like Chinese junk. Anyone very pleased and have a link to the parts that they recommend.

There in lies the problem. I can't not find a non-Chinese plug replacement.

RetiredOne · 08-25-2020, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmike961

I have been thinking about this mod as well. Dragging the tangled cord in and out of the bottom of the compartment hole is driving me nuts. I spent some time researching this mod but kept finding reviews with unhappy folks complaining of how cheap the parts were made and felt that the connections were not secure enough.

I'm not a fan of adding another connector that can screw up or short out. Here's a trick I use, and it's made it easier.

I don't try and feed the cable coiled directly from the compartment through the mouse hole. I pull the cable straight out the door and to the pedestal, to see the length I need. Once I have it stretched out straight, I take the plug back to the mouse hole, and feed the cable straight down through, no fighting of the coils, it's a straight pull.

Then, to bring it back in, I pull all the slack out back through the mouse hole and place the cable on the ground. Then I stretch the cable back out on the ground and go back to the compartment and coil the cable back inside. This eliminates pulling back up through the mouse hole and coiling at the same time. That sucks.

No more fighting the curve of the coils or smacking the knuckles.

Dgibbster · 08-26-2020, 05:33 AM

I second that, i just pull entire cable out and then feed what is needed thru PITA hole, the i lock my ems up with pad lock and cable to keep the honest people away. Most of the time we dry camp thus so elimnating much use of surge protection.

JDPEagle · 08-29-2020, 03:34 PM

I did this mod a couple of years ago. Still no issues, and works like a charm.

DaSkipper · 08-29-2020, 05:24 PM

On Amazon:
SmartPlug B30ASSYPW Combo Kit with Female Connector and Non-Metallic Inlet.
Not cheap, but safe, secure, and...really convenient. (EMS is hardwired)

2edgesword · 08-29-2020, 06:59 PM

I thought about doing what was mentioned by the OP but opted to install a permanent unit in the power cord storage area with an external monitor and in the process added connections for a detachable power cable to connect from shore power to the RV. I wanted to have the monitor visible where it can be easily seen (versus hidden away in the power cord storage area).

I did purchase 30 amp male and female connectors to have just in case there was a problem with the EMS unit. If the unit for some reason fails I can detach the line/load cables from the EMS and connect to the male/female connectors to restore power. I still have the pole EMS to use if that situation should arise.

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