Self-contained electrical outlets

[Tom]

We've had a couple of electrical duplex outlets crack/break in our Grand Design 5W. When I opened them up I discovered they were the "self contained" type that don't need a box. Furthermore, they have poorly crimped wire connections, which at best provide a poor electrical connection. Here's a video that shows this type of outlet:

Now that I know what type of receptacles we have, I plan to replace them all when we come back to the 5W next year. I just replaced one that we use daily before putting the 5W in winter storage:

To replace the first duplex I purchased a shallow "new work" box, but the local hardware store didn't have them with flanges that lock behind the (thin) RV wall. When I installed the box I had to trim the wall to make it fit, which I did with a Stanley knife. The wall was so thin, I might as well have used a butter knife.

 

[John From Detroit]

I like that he said it's common in low current (like ethernet) lines (also telephone)

That knife edge means high resistance and in many instead of a single wire that passes through all the current on teh daisy chain runs through the first contact... Very dangerous. He did a very good job of explaining it.... THEY MELT DOWN.

 

[House Husband]

As stated in the video. There is a SPECIAL TOOL.
The OEM self contained outlets in my 95 Bounder have been flawless. Fleetwood mush of had the special tool. I run 1500 watt heaters in our MH in the winter time with no melt down issues.
The self contained outlets are not the problem. It's the installers.

Richard

 

[Tom]

As stated in the video. There is a SPECIAL TOOL.
The OEM self contained outlets in my 95 Bounder have been flawless. Fleetwood mush of had the special tool. I run 1500 watt heaters in our MH in the winter time with no melt down issues.
The self contained outlets are not the problem. It's the installers.

Richard

I too have run 1500W heaters, thinking all was fine. But, seeing the limited contact area, physics says that, with or without the use of an installation tool, those connections will generate heat.

 

[workinonit]

A fire waiting for the right time to happen.

 

[House Husband]

I too have run 1500W heaters, thinking all was fine. But, seeing the limited contact area, physics says that, with or without the use of an installation tool, those connections will generate heat.

But if excessive heat is generated, the plastic outlet covers will turn brown.
All of mine are still white.

Richard

 

[Ray-IN]

Someone once said; "ignorance is bliss". Anyone ever disassemble a 120VAC space heater and see the 16ga stranded wiring to the off/on switch??
reference: American Wire Gauge Chart and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits table with ampacities, wire sizes, skin depth frequencies and wire breaking strength

 

[John From Detroit]

But if excessive heat is generated, the plastic outlet covers will turn brown.
All of mine are still white.

Richard

The ones I've seen the coves were white but the parts you don't see Inside the walls..... Well they ranged from "Brown" to Melted.