Electrical outlets. Whaaaaaat?????

[Najataagihe]

I took apart the electrical outlet in the dinette to reroute it and was astounded at what I found.

First, I was always told to use stranded copper on anything that rolls down the road, as vibration work-hardens hard copper and it will break - usually at connectors or bends, increasing the risk of fire.

Guess what is in the Imagine!


Second, I was taught, many years ago as a young electrician, to NEVER use quick connects to attach wire to devices.

Guess what is used in the Imagine!


Questions:

Do I need to replace the quick-connect-only outlets with standard ones with screw terminals or will that cause the copper to break at the screws?

Is this new technique acceptable/preferred, now?

Has something changed in the last few decades concerning wiring rolling stock?

If so, are these outlets reusable?


HAAAALLLPP!!!!

 

[NB Canada]

Your rig is 3 years old. I wouldn’t worry about it


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[Najataagihe]

Oh, it’s not worry, it’s laziness.

I only want to repair this, once.

 

[traveldawg]

You have the same outlets every RV has (well, at least everyone I've ever come across). It is quite standard and, while a bit of a change from house type outlets, it is what has been used for a long time. The same goes for the Molex type press on connectors where the 120V AC wires either butt together or make a junction.

You can change them out, but I think the press on receptacles are more likely to stay firmly connected than a screw on connector that can work its way loose.

This is the type of receptacle I am referring to....
https://www.amazon.com/RV-Designer-S817-Contained-Outlet/dp/B01BDWKWJC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3PDDKVX0PEU18&dchild=1&keywords=rv+120v+outlet&qid=1631320137&s=automotive&sprefix=rv+120+v+%2Cautomotive%2C616&sr=1-6

Here is the tool that 'should' be used to make the connections....

and this is the splice connector

 

[JKellerJr]

You have the same outlets every RV has (well, at least everyone I've ever come across). It is quite standard and, while a bit of a change from house type outlets, it is what has been used for a long time. The same goes for the Molex type press on connectors where the 120V AC wires either butt together or make a junction.

You can change them out, but I think the press on receptacles are more likely to stay firmly connected than a screw on connector that can work its way loose.

This is the type of receptacle I am referring to....
https://www.amazon.com/RV-Designer-S817-Contained-Outlet/dp/B01BDWKWJC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3PDDKVX0PEU18&dchild=1&keywords=rv+120v+outlet&qid=1631320137&s=automotive&sprefix=rv+120+v+%2Cautomotive%2C616&sr=1-6

Here is the tool that 'should' be used to make the connections....

and this is the splice connector

Here is a pic of the high tech tool I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-41584-Slotted-Screwdriver/dp/B00065T0FA

 

[traveldawg]

Here is a pic of the high tech tool I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-41584-Slotted-Screwdriver/dp/B00065T0FA

That's the same one I use! Nice choice of tools....

 

[Najataagihe]

Okay, that answers all questions, save one:

Are they reusable???

 

[JKellerJr]

Okay, that answers all questions, save one:

Are they reusable???

I reused mine.

 

[Najataagihe]

Good enough!

Thanks!

 

[Viper02]

One of the smartest upgrades you can do on the inside and outside of your RV .. regardless of the year it was made.. remove those OEM SC (Self Contained) style 120 volt AC wall outlets and replace with an “Old Work” electrical outlet box and commercial grade Leviton 15 amp outlet with screw on terminals ..

I’d at least replace the ones in the kitchen and the fireplace outlet.. these see heavy current draw from coffee pots, air fryers, toasters, instapots and of course the fireplace draws a lot of current

There are two style of shallow “Old Work” electrical outlet boxes that could be used. One has a plate to the left side of it that backs up against the inside of the wall and when the two screws are screwed in the plastic arm clips press against the wall and that plate on the left side braces the outlet box..

The other style old work box is shallower in depth and could be used in a location where you didn’t have the wall space behind to use first style old work outlet box..

Images of SC type outlet used in most RVs.. If the wires are not properly inserted during assembly into the spring clips then you have a weak connection and potential for overheat and fire...

First two images are "Old work box" two different styles and quality outlet with screw terminals.. the screw terminal connections provide much better transfer of amperage draw when using coffee pot, air fryer, toaster, etc

Last 3 images show how poorly the crimp connections make contact with the RV wiring.. not what you want

 

[minnow101]

I recently replaced two outlets that are mounted underneath the kitchen cabinets as one of the boxes had broke from repeated use. I was a tad surprised to see how shoddily the wires were actually connected to the outlet box. One wire was hardly touching crimp connector. To use traditional shallow boxes, the hole needed to be enlarged slightly and I cut and glued shims to give the box mounting screws something more to bite into other than the thin 1/8 thick “wood”.

 

[BobLandry]

I've never seen a solid copper wire break from normal vibration. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Viper02]

It’s not the copper wire that’s the issue with SC outlets. It’s the lousy spring clip and whether or not wire was installed properly with the tool and did the spring clips pierce the wire to make good contact.

Drawing 10 amps with a Instapot or toaster and many of the OEM RV SC outlets will smoke after a while.

It’s called being proactive and fixing Junk before it fails … and it will

 

[Jackoo]

I could not find any “old work” boxes at Lowe’s, Home Depot or Ace due to COVID. Was told you had to beg borrow and steal to get them. Installed new RV type outlets from GD using the method found on YouTube. Two small blocks of wood and C-clamps. This method worked well even for double sets of wires on the pinch connectors. The fancy tool is expensive if only using it once or twice. Not sure why the original RV outlets broke, but the mounting holes were too big. Used shims and longer screws to draw down the “side flappers”.

 

[BobLandry]

What tool is required to attach the wiring to the outlet?

 

[Jackoo]

Wirecon installation tool. Check it out on YouTube.

 

[traveldawg]

What tool is required to attach the wiring to the outlet?

See post #4 .

 

[scoganz]

Might have to try those "old work" boxes. I wanted to swap out my 12v outlets with sockets that also had USB built in,,,, that is until I pulled it and saw it. Haven't seen that kind with USB.

 

[Roadtrip31MB]

Absolutely nothing wrong with using solid copper or quick connects. Both can be used per NEC code. Move along!

 

[hlozano]

Here’s what my quick connect looked like when my fire place quit working.