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SmartPlug Upgrade

The following newsletter has a brief discussion on SmartPlug upgrade for the older style shore power connection.

RV Electricity – No~Shock~Zone by Mike Sokol – Issue 10 - RV Travel

SmartPlug website:  Why Smartplug? - SmartPlug

This article mentions Lazy Daze as one of the companies doing "upfitters."  I remember some of our RV Experts mentioning that SmartPlugs are a valuable upgrade.  As most know, the newer LDs come standard with this plug.  We have the older style plug.  All I can say is dang!

And of course a new or modified power cable.  SmartPlug install

Amazon Price:  Amazon.com: SmartPlug B30ASSYNT, 30 Amp Inlet and Retro-fit Connector-Shorepo...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #1 –
"And of course a new or modified power cable."

Somehow I view this as a solution looking for a problem.

I do not find my current plug/twist and lock difficult to use. I've never had any arcing sparking or looseness. Of course this connection is always made 'cold', no power connected. Should those conditions change I might consider this new option but until then???

One thing comes to mind if one would make the change, how much slack wire inside the LD would you find given their minimalist construction techniques?   :o
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #2 –
This is a link to one test of the Smart Plug:

A Safer Shore Power Connection? Testing the SmartPlug

My experiences with the standard Marinco connection/plug (on my 2003) are the same as Steve's, i.e., I've never noticed any arcing, burning, heat build-up, looseness, or difficulty in attaching the connection. Additionally, I've never noticed any water (moisture, dampness) around the connection as long as the flap is over the plug. The "barely enough" wiring MO that LD has followed for eons would definitely be a concern if one was replacing the stock Marinco connection with a Smart Plug; I'd sure have hemostats ready to grab the wires.

The Smart Plug may be an excellent product, and if any issues developed with the Marinco plug/cord, I'd vet the Smart Plug thoroughly as a potential replacement. But, until a "needs must" situation comes up, I'll stick with the old set-up that works for me.

As ever, YMMV!  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #5 –
Our 1997-8 mid-bath came with the "mousehole." Both to preclude mice and to avoid the mess associated with winding the cable into the coach, I rewired for a Marinco power inlet. At the same time I added a Progressive Industries EMS where the cable used to go. All the runs between the former "mousehole" and the power center were new, so I didn't have to struggle with too-short wiring.

I looked at the SmartPlug (and Andy's recommendation), but in the end decided to go with the more-common Marinco inlet.

During the few years we had the LD after the conversion, we didn't have any problems related to the inlet or the now-portable power cord.

Mark H
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #6 –
Quote from: squeakytiki  - 
Unfortunately Jim, those of us who aren't part of the old Yahoo group have no way to read that link

Let's see if these links work?

Refrigerator Dying or Reborn?

Where to mount surge protector?

The above posts mention the SmartPlug several times and were part of other discussions.  Hope this helps.

Footnote:  Margee and I have completed a fair number of upgrades on our LD just because we thought it would be an improvement.  We haven't waited until there was a problem to do an upgrade. 
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #7 –
I'm not sure of the protocols of doing a quoted re-post of Andy's information on his Smart Plug installation on his 2003 MB, so here's a paraphrase of the essential points:

1. Access to the wiring (behind the toilet in the MB) was difficult.

2. Also difficult was removing the Marinco inlet, well-sealed to the body; he used thin, flexible putty knives and masked off the area around the inlet to avoid scratching the paint.

3. Some "re-painting is necessary" because the SmartPlug's inlet bezel is smaller than the Marinco.

HTH.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #8 –
Quote from: squeakytiki  - 
Unfortunately Jim, those of us who aren't part of the old Yahoo group have no way to read that link
Refrigerator Dying or Reborn?

See reply #16
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #9 –
Quote from: squeakytiki  - 
Unfortunately Jim, those of us who aren't part of the old Yahoo group have no way to read that link
You should be able to read old Yahoo posts if you search for them using the Search function on the home page. Type in "SmartPlug" (or whatever you are looking for) and it will take you to various threads.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
You should be able to read old Yahoo posts if you search for them using the Search function on the home page. Type in "SmartPlug" (or whatever you are looking for) and it will take you to various threads.

Chris

Chris, the problem is that too read old posts in the Yahoo group, you have to be a member of the Yahoo group.  I'm not, and I was under the impression that since everyone moved to this site that the Yahoo group wasn't excepting any new members?  Please let me know if this is incorrect and I will be happy to try and join the Yahoo group, if someone connected there will approve my membership?
Hi, I'm Jo!
My little red wagon is a 1997 23.5 TK
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #11 –
Quote from: squeakytiki  - 
Chris, the problem is that too read old posts in the Yahoo group, you have to be a member of the Yahoo group.  I'm not, and I was under the impression that since everyone moved to this site that the Yahoo group wasn't excepting any new members?  Please let me know if this is incorrect and I will be happy to try and join the Yahoo group, if someone connected there will approve my membership?

Did you try the search I suggested? If it didn't work, let me know and I will follow up on your comment. We don't want anyone to have to join the old group (which is closed) to access the older Yahoo posts.

Anyone else have this problem?

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
Did you try the search I suggested? If it didn't work, let me know and I will follow up on your comment. We don't want anyone to have to join the old group (which is closed) to access the older Yahoo posts.

Anyone else have this problem?

Chris

Chris, the problem is that I can't see ANY portion of the Yahoo group without being a member.  All I get is the front page, and an error message that says I need to be a member any time I try to access content that was on the Yahoo group.
Hi, I'm Jo!
My little red wagon is a 1997 23.5 TK
Re: SmartPlug Upgrade
Reply #13 –
Quote from: squeakytiki  - 
Chris, the problem is that I can't see ANY portion of the Yahoo group without being a member.  All I get is the front page, and an error message that says I need to be a member any time I try to access content that was on the Yahoo group.
I'll check it out.
Formerly: 2002 30' IB