Power outlets

[Bobby Peterson]

Hey guys,i just replaced my jack knife couch with two recliners. The couch had power to it for LED lights and a USB port and had a wire coming out of the wall and connected to the couch with wire nuts. can i convert the wire from the wall into a wall mounted outlet with two plugs? Because i need an outlet for each chair.

 

[donn]

Is it 120VAC or 12VDC?

 

[John From Detroit]

Without eyes on I can not be sure but 90% or more YES.
If the wires are 12 volt. then 100% yes.

 

[Larry N.]

Without eyes on I can not be sure but 90% or more YES.
If the wires are 12 volt. then 100% yes.

Not if they are household recliners, John. Gotta match up chair requirements with type of electric...

 

[Bobby Peterson]

Is it 120VAC or 12VDC?

Not sure what it is like i said it powered the led lights around the cup holders and the USB ports.

 

[Bobby Peterson]

Not if they are household recliners, John. Gotta match up chair requirements with type of electric...

I know the chairs are 120 they have the standard plug.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Not sure what it is like i said it powered the led lights around the cup holders and the USB ports.

What does the wiring look like? Does it look like regular residential wire like Romex, etc., or is it two separate wires, perhaps one white and the other black with no ground wire...

 

[Bobby Peterson]

What does the wiring look like? Does it look like regular residential wire like Romex, etc., or is it two separate wires, perhaps one white and the other black with no ground wire...

One white one blue

 

[CharlesinGA]

Take a volt meter and measure the voltage. Sounds like 12v DC but you need to be sure.

Charles

 

[Rene T]

Take a volt meter and measure the voltage. Sounds like 12v DC but you need to be sure.

Charles

That should have been done on day one. That’s why we stress all the time that a multi meter should be part of all rv’ers tool box.

 

[Kirk]

I know the chairs are 120 they have the standard plug.

One white one blue

If what you have is just 2 wires and not the Romex type used for 120V power than you will probably create major problems if you try. Most 120V wiring will look like this.

Do you know where the power to the 2 wires comes from? It is probably a fuse in your 12V distribution panel. If 120V it would have a circuit breaker. No matter what you have there, you need some basic electrical knowledge if you plan to wire anything and not risk fire or electrocution. Working on electricity when you do not know what you are doing comes with great risk.

 

[Larry N.]

I'll echo what Charles, Rene and Kirk said above, and especially note Kirk's last sentence. For example, the lights, fridge and much else in most RVs use 12V DC (battery, in other words), though the electric on the fridge will be from 120V AC (shore, or house style power) though its control board needs the 12V DC also. So with two (three if it's a motorhome) different electrical systems considerable care and, at the least, some basic electrical knowledge are needed to avoid some (potentially) very serious problems.

So do, please, get an inexpensive multimeter (Lowe's, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc. have them) and learn to use it for voltage checks and, perhaps, for some other uses.

 

[John From Detroit]

Not if they are household recliners, John. Gotta match up chair requirements with type of electric...

That is why the IF/Then statement.

Oh if 120 volt odds are you can install a shallow wall box and outlet as well.

 

[Larry N.]

That is why the IF/Then statement.

Oh if 120 volt odds are you can install a shallow wall box and outlet as well.

Well, look more closely at the replies above, quoted here:

can i convert the wire from the wall into a wall mounted outlet with two plugs? Because i need an outlet for each chair.

If the wires are 12 volt. then 100% yes.

How is 12V wires OK with household power?

 

[Bobby Peterson]

Thanks guys ,i have a volt meter and will check to see if it is 120 then go from there.

 

[John From Detroit]

Well, look more closely at the replies above, quoted here:




How is 12V wires OK with household power?

Ah I see. Yes the original was 12 volt the new chairs are 120. if that's the case he can not convert. He can. however. Rewire.

 

[gwinger]

One white one blue

If only two wires, 99.9% chance it is only 12 volts. All 120 volt wiring is three wire. Hot, neutral and ground. As others have said, use a voltmeter to verify.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

What gwinger says. Further, typical RV Led lighting is 12v and that's also all that a USB port needs. I'd say highly likely the wiring for that couch was 12v. The meter will tell...

 

[Kirk]

Thanks guys ,i have a volt meter and will check to see if it is 120 then go from there.

Let us know what you find and we can probably help from there.

 

[Bobby Peterson]

What gwinger says. Further, typical RV Led lighting is 12v and that's also all that a USB port needs. I'd say highly likely the wiring for that couch was 12v. The meter will tell...

That’s what i’m thinking with the USB only needing 12v i’m sure that’s what the wire is. But next time i’m at the trailer location i’ll use a meter.