Slide out AC Power

Not real sure where to put this question, but has anybody installed a 120V A/C outlet in the slide out. So far every camper I've seen has one in or relatively near the slide. Our slide out contains the sofa and dining table and there are times when I would like to sit at the table and get on my laptop. The only problem is that all of the outlets are on the other side of the room making the power cord a trip hazard. I'd like to install an outlet in the slide so that I can plug in my laptop without having to run a cord either around the kitchen counter or across into the bathroom.

Keep it relatively near...wiring and slide-outs don't mix very well.

TC

I could move this to another topic, but since I'm pretty sure it will turn into a DIY, I'll leave it here.

I think they don't put 120v in the slides is because they don't want to take a chance of such a powerful wire getting crimped when the slide moves in or out - causing short and a multitude of problems. So, I looked at your floorplan.

You said in a previous post that "the power cord comes in behind the slide out next to the water heater, there is an access panel under the left side lower bunk that gives access to the main power feed and water pump." You can connect a line from the panel, conceal it in the bottom of the pantry, and put an outlet on the outside of the the pantry. It wouldn't be in the slide, but close enough. When we first got our Cat, we had to plug the computer in by the entertainment center. Since then we put a desk at the far back of the trailer. Now we use an extension cord to plug our ice maker and wine chiller in the outlet below the entertainment center.

I think this is all possible.

Tater

Here is an idea you can bounce around.

Our old 5er had both 120v oulets and 120v wall sconce lighting fixtures in the slide from the factory. (Every room had both 12v and 120v lighting).

Their solution was simple. In the slide at the first receptacle was a simple 2' pigtail with a male cord end wired to and hanging from below the receptacle. At the edge of the nearest stationary wall was a 120v receptacle. After fully extending the slide you simply plugged the pigtail of the slide receptacle into the 120V receptacle of the stationary wall to power the slide outlets and 120v lighting.

The real genius of this set up was you could only access the outlet with the slide fully extended. The receptacle and plug end were strategically placed in case you forgot to unplug before retracting the slide, it would simply unplug itself!

Genius I tell ya! They don't make 'em like they used to. Sometimes thats good and sometimes thats bad.

I wonder if anybody still does that. It really does sound like genius. I'd love to have a couple outlets, or at least one by the table. It would be so much neater than the set up we have now.

Probably not legal anymore - or not legal in one or two states, that would ruin it for everyone.

I can feel a MOD coming on. I bet there is a way Scruffy could run 120 into the bed box so we could plug in the electric mattress pad without all the wires hanging all over the place.

Tater

I have a 110v above my dinning room table in the slide out also the refrigerator is in the slide as well.

Every slide that has a Refer in it has 110 to it. There has to be a way.

carrollti wrote:I have a 110v above my dinning room table in the slide out also the refrigerator is in the slide as well.

There has to be a way then to wire it without any damage to the wiring. And, obviously, the manufacturers aren't going to expect people to reach underneath to hook it up every time they stop for the night.

Tater

Coiled wire around a rod.

My 313RE has an 120 VAC on the wall of my nightstand which is also on the slide, they must have figured out how todo it, I use it for a night light and plug my cellphone charger in it. Thanks Wildcat

Many current model Wildcats feature 110V outlets in slide rooms. I know there was some extra code we needed to follow in order to do it, but you'll now find them in main floor slides (to power the heated massage La-Z-Boys) and in bedroom slides (for night stands, like Rusty mentioned).

Thanks, Chris - that's nice to know. It's the seemingly small stuff that can make or break a deal. Now, when/if Wildcat ever brings back an under 30 ft (not 30ft 3in) model with bedroom and living room slides, that could convince us to upgrade to a newer model.

Tater

Scruffy and Tater wrote:Thanks, Chris - that's nice to know. It's the seemingly small stuff that can make or break a deal. Now, when/if Wildcat ever brings back an under 30 ft (not 30ft 3in) model with bedroom and living room slides, that could convince us to upgrade to a newer model.

Tater

We're working on it for you!

When will you bring back the 30RLBS. Best floor model on the market. Never know I might take the plunge again.

Our 28RK has an outlet close to each end of the main slide...one just under the pantry, and the other under the stereo.



TC

Mine has the outlet above the sleeper sofa also the refrigerator is on this slide.