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Old 02-06-2018, 07:05 AM   #1
gkainz
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running new 12V on 2010 245RL

I want to put a 12VDC outlet on each side of the bed in our 245RL. There's already 110VAC on each side. I am not yet able to physically see or visualize access from under the head of the bed to the front compartment, nor is there any wires currently running between those 2 areas.

I dropped the belly pan up front, and the 12VDC wires appear to run willy-nilly aft along the street side then cross over to the curb side and go up to the power distribution panel.

I assume I can either pick up 12VDC from one of the pass thru storage compartment that appears to be under the head of the bed, and carefully drill an access hole in the floor under the bed?

Other ideas?
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Old 02-06-2018, 08:01 AM   #2
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If you're already in the front area, I'd suggest running a new circuit (complete with fuse) from the battery. Why "tap into an existing circuit" and add load to that wiring? You're within a couple feet of the battery, just run a new line from the 30 amp breaker screw tap, add an inline fuse holder and run that new circuit as you're planning (through a carefully drilled hole under the bed).

As a note, there is a lot of room between the fiberglass cap and the front wall, just be careful not to push the insulation out of the way when running your wiring. All the spun fiberglass is just "hanging in place" and if you use a snake to poke around in there, be careful not to pull the insulation out of place. It'll get cold (or hot) in spots if you do.
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Old 02-06-2018, 08:17 AM   #3
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Thanks, John. That was exactly my first thought and desire, but I had hopes that there was already a hole for existing wires. Me and "carefully drilled holes" invariably end up with unintended consequences!

I guess I really need to stand there and study outside and inside layout a while, to get a better picture in my head on the relation of the head of the bed to front compartment and passthrough compartment.
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Old 02-06-2018, 09:30 AM   #4
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On our Cougar, the "steel surface" that's directly over the transverse bar for the front landing gear is the foot of the bed. That "lip" which comes down into the front storage area is the floor at the foot of the bed. So, if you look at the front wall of the trailer (in front of the landing gear) that wall "should" (if it's similar to mine) place the wiring about 12-18" forward of the "foot end of the bed base cabinet".... That said, if you move from centerline to the edge of the bed, you're looking at about 24-28" from centerline. I drilled a hole in the front wall (under the overhang and above the filon bottom) to run wires for the rear view camera. It's a "nerve wracking feeling" to start drilling on a new trailer, and for me, not a lot different feeling drilling on an older one. Good Luck and remember, measure twice, cut once.... or is it measure 3 or 4 times until you're confused and drill where you hope it works LOL
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Old 02-06-2018, 04:22 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gkainz View Post
I want to put a 12VDC outlet on each side of the bed in our 245RL. ...
This may be a silly question on my part, but what can you do with 12V? Is it for phone chargers or something similar? If so, would something like this be an option?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...4AWH/301709461

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...-0BW/205092277

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Legrand-Rad...t-Usb/50253183
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Old 02-06-2018, 04:25 PM   #6
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It's for my CPAP when we boondock. I have a small inverter that plugs into the TV antenna amplifier, across the bedroom, which means running an extension cord for 1, but it also irks me to convert 12VDC to 110VAC and then back to 12VDC again at the CPAP.
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Old 02-06-2018, 08:37 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by gkainz View Post
It's for my CPAP when we boondock. I have a small inverter that plugs into the TV antenna amplifier, across the bedroom, which means running an extension cord for 1, but it also irks me to convert 12VDC to 110VAC and then back to 12VDC again at the CPAP.
Not sure what you use for your 12vdc plug connections. Many times it is a cigarette lighter fixture, or molex. We use Anderson Power Poles extensively in Amateur Radio (ham). Very versatile and easy installation once you have the specialty crimping tool. Lots of accessories as well:

http://www.westmountainradio.com/pro..._id=pp_lock_12
http://www.westmountainradio.com/rigrunner.php

Good luck in your project.

Mike
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Old 02-07-2018, 04:00 AM   #8
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Gkainz, "convert 12VDC to 110VAC and then back to 12VDC again at the CPAP" let me remind you how much of your battery is consumed every time it is inverted, converted, plugged in, connected and your associated wiring run too far.
I believe this is a prime case of KISS. All kidding aside, keep those wires large, short and very few connections.
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Old 02-07-2018, 04:07 AM   #9
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They also make a 12v cord with the round plugs on both ends. Wasn't sure why you even have to use an inverter if your source and equip are both 12v.
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Old 02-07-2018, 09:04 AM   #10
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They also make a 12v cord with the round plugs on both ends. Wasn't sure why you even have to use an inverter if your source and equip are both 12v.
Because I haven't purchased the 12v cord. I have the factory 110VAC cord with the AC/DC converter brick in the line.

So, yeah, first, I need to purchase the 12vdc cord for my cpap. Then 2nd, I want to add additional outlets at the head of the bed, so I don't have to run a cord from the head, down the side of the bed, across the foot of the bed and then up the wall to the only 12vdc outlet in the bedroom.

Since I have to run one, I might as well run two and put another outlet on my wife's side of the bed for her phone and iPad chargers.
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Old 02-07-2018, 09:08 AM   #11
gkainz
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Gkainz, "convert 12VDC to 110VAC and then back to 12VDC again at the CPAP" let me remind you how much of your battery is consumed every time it is inverted, converted, plugged in, connected and your associated wiring run too far.
I believe this is a prime case of KISS. All kidding aside, keep those wires large, short and very few connections.
Yep, well aware of the inefficiency of and losses incurred by the above. (Lineman, electrician, avionics tech in my early days). So, like I noted in the post above, I need to purchase or build the 12v cord for my CPAP (ok, full disclosure - my CPAP actually runs on 24VDC, so I'm going to just buy the manufacturer's DC cord ... or I may take on yet another project and buy/build a 12v to 24v dc step up transformer) and for convenience sake, install the outlet at the head of the bed.

What I'm bumping my head on is getting a pair of wires into the bed area from front or below.
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Old 02-09-2018, 07:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gkainz View Post
It's for my CPAP when we boondock. I have a small inverter that plugs into the TV antenna amplifier, across the bedroom, which means running an extension cord for 1, but it also irks me to convert 12VDC to 110VAC and then back to 12VDC again at the CPAP.
My thoughts as well. I used an inverter plugged at the BR TV the first time I boondocked and was terrified of running the batteries down. Then I found out most CPAPS run on 12V, found 12v power cords for both my primary and backup CPAP online. Then I tapped into a reading lamp to install a 12v outlet at the head of the bed. When my CPAP comes on, the reading lamp flickers but I turn it off right away. I've done this for 4 years and 1) am amazed at how little battery drain there is (12.7v at bedtime and 12.6 in the morning) and 2) I never notice campground power outages now. I keep thinking I should run a separate wire, but it works fine as is.
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Old 02-09-2018, 07:37 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by gkainz View Post
Because I haven't purchased the 12v cord. I have the factory 110VAC cord with the AC/DC converter brick in the line.

So, yeah, first, I need to purchase the 12vdc cord for my cpap. Then 2nd, I want to add additional outlets at the head of the bed, so I don't have to run a cord from the head, down the side of the bed, across the foot of the bed and then up the wall to the only 12vdc outlet in the bedroom.

Since I have to run one, I might as well run two and put another outlet on my wife's side of the bed for her phone and iPad chargers.
Oh, ok well that makes more sense then, didn't know you didn't have 12v cpap cord.
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