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 > adding electric outlet

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jim behr

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Posted: 01/03/09 11:27am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I currently only have the large light in the ceiling with no outlets in the bathroom of my 5th wheel.I am considering adding another elec outlet on the bath wall, opposite the sink in the adjoining bed room.that would make it a GFI outlet which is fine because all I want it for is a night lite. Is there and problem taping into the sink outlet and installing another in the bath?


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JudoJeff

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Posted: 01/03/09 11:51am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

No, just threading the wire to the new outlet. Anything downstream from the GFCI will be protected, you don't have to add an additional GFCI.


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Bumpyroad

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Posted: 01/03/09 11:58am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

for a night light I would consider just wiring to existing 12 volts if more accessible/easier.
bumpy





enblethen

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Posted: 01/03/09 12:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Way to go Bumpy!
He is not-wrong. Find a small 12 volt light and tap into existing light.


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radardog

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Posted: 01/03/09 01:17pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Bumpyroad wrote:

for a night light I would consider just wiring to existing 12 volts if more accessible/easier.
bumpy
If someone makes a LED night light it would be nice, little current drain on the batteries and a lot less heat given off by LED.


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wa8yxm

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Posted: 01/03/09 02:17pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The only problems are 1: Running the wire and 2: It may already be "Tapped into"

oh and 3, cleaning your underwear after you take a look at how they wired your house

Depending on where your breaker box is (Mine is very well located thank you Damon) it might be easier to run a line to it and put in a new breaker (mine is actually in the wall in the hall.. the other side of said wall is the bathroom)

NOTE: many RV's have 12 volt lights. you might consider a 12 volt LED night light instead, likely be able to tap off either the room's existing light switch or the overhead.. What's more if the switch is at the end of the line you can put the night light in the overhead in such a way as to turn it on automatically when the wall switch is off. If you are interested, let me know and I'll design it for you. Standard fee (Coffee if you are local, no fee if you are not)


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hwybnb

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Posted: 01/03/09 02:19pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I agree with the others - use 12 VDC for your night light. I rigged my own by putting a white LED in the existing DC light fixture.

LEDs must have a current-limiting resistor. Some that you buy at Radio Shack, et. al. have one built in but if you buy a bare one you will need to buy a 330 ohm 1/4 watt resistor to go with it. If it is too bright you can add more resistance.

LEDs are polarity-sensitive but don't worry about it. If you hook it up right it will work. If you have it backward it will not light but will not be damaged.

fncampn

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Posted: 01/03/09 04:02pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Check out this article on LED lighting for RVs. There is a little section in there that talks about using a single LED as a night light in the bathroom. There are a few picture of it too.

RV LED Lighting Upgrade

I did this mod too and it works very well. I used a warm white LED since the bright white LEDs cast too much blue light. I've done other lighting replacements with LEDs as well, all using the warm white bulbs. Their color is very close to the incandescent bulbs they replaced. Saves a lot of battery power too. One of the best mods I've done so far.


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Bumpyroad

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Posted: 01/03/09 04:06pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

wa8yxm wrote:

snip

NOTE: many RV's have 12 volt lights. you might consider a 12 volt LED night light instead, likely be able to tap off either the room's existing light switch or the overhead.. What's more if the switch is at the end of the line you can put the night light in the overhead in such a way as to turn it on automatically when the wall switch is off. If you are interested, let me know and I'll design it for you. Standard fee (Coffee if you are local, no fee if you are not)


to do that I "assume" that you have to replace switches? If not, how about splaining it?
bumpy

I think I figured out to do it with a normally closed relay. when powered up, light on, relay open and night light off. when power off, relay closed and night light on.???
bumpy

* This post was edited 01/04/09 04:25am by Bumpyroad *

Bobbo

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Posted: 01/04/09 07:43am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Winnebago put a small night light in the hall just outside the bathroom door. It lights the door so you can see to open it, and when it is open, the light shines into the bathroom. Thanks Winnebago.


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