LXE Electrical Improvements


Chandelier.  When I first installed a "chandelier" in our Classic, it was just for fun.  But after finding how helpful an overhead light can be, I looked for a small fixture to install in the LXE.  The floorplan of the LXE allowed me to install a permanent bracket over the kitchen window.  When the side is folded, the bracket hangs between the beds.  The chandelier is a lightweight pendent lamp from Home Depot, designed to hang from a rod.  I removed the rods and wire, spliced white lamp cord to the socket, and threaded the cord through a length of white chain that hangs from the bracket.  I add an in-line switch to the cord and put a wall-hugger plug on the end, so that it fits snugly against the cabinet-side outlet.  It's amazing how much helpful light is provided by a single 40-watt bulb.
Battery.  The original battery box was mounted on the tongue, in front of the single propane tank.  However, all the splices and connections hung outside the box, exposed to the weather, and the fuse holder even held water.  (In addition, the ground wire had several broken strands where it was screwed to the frame, but that was easily replaced with a larger, more durable commercial ground wire.)  I swapped the original battery for a larger AGM (maintenance-free) battery and moved it back, next to the propane tank.  That meant moving the propane sideways, but a galvanized deck hanger and plate that extend beyond the frame provide an attachment point for the outer J-rod securing the tank.  Both propane and battery box are a snug fit under a rigid double-tank cover (which I shortened with utility shears), but the lid for the larger battery box was too big.  Since the tank cover was not completely waterproof, I needed some protection for the battery connections.  It turned out that I could set the old battery-box lid over the terminals and secure it with a bungee.  Any water that drips into the box around the plastic battery case just runs out holes in the box bottom.
Plug-guard.  Protecting the camper's electrical hitch pigtail is always a concern, and the Plug-guard is an easy solution.  Taking a tip from another owner, I used a conduit clamp to attach the Plug-guard to the tongue jack, eliminating the need to drill holes in the tongue.
Detachable power cord.  In both the Classic and the Alite, I made the pull-out, stuff-in power cord detachable, using a  Marinco kit.  The first step in installing the kit is to cut the cord - always a heart-stopping moment!  When I removed the existing "mousehole" hatch, the hole indeed looked as though it had been made by a mouse - uneven and chewed up every which way!  The hatch was larger than what the Marinco kit was designed to replace, so I had to create some sort of masking plate to put behind the new outlet.  After some thought, I decided to use the old mousehole hatch by removing its door, grinding off the hinge, and drilling new mounting holes to match the Marinco outlet.  Because the new holes barely caught in the exterior fiberglas, I drilled them all the way through the interior wall.  The attachment bolts and nuts are secured against braces of scrap wood that provide a firm surface on the inside.

In spite of the installation difficulties, we like the fact that there are no more plastic "fingers" to break off in the old hole, no access for critters and cold air, and no messy, stiff, wet cord to stuff into the inside storage area.  Instead, the detached cord is wiped dry, coiled and neatly stored in the front bin, and we appreciate the increased storage inside the camper.
Propane detector switch.  When we're not camping, there's no need to have the propane detector drawing down the battery.  It was simple to install a small rocker switch next to the detector so it can be turned off between trips.
Extension cord plug protector.  At home, we leave the camper pluged into an extension cord from household current.  Keeping the connection dry was a concern until I saw this handy tip from "Trailer Life" magazine.  I purchased a $1 small plastic box with a hinged lid and drilled holes in opposite sides to accommodate the trailer cord and the extension cord. With heavy-duty shears, I cut slots from the top edge of the box to the holes so that the cords would drop inside.  A few small holes drilled in the bottom provide drainage for any water that gets into the box.  Now the connection is well-protected from snow and rain.
Exterior 12v outlet.  We have a great little 12v tire pump, but we can't always reach from the car outlet to the camper tires.  With the battery mounted on the tongue, it was an easy matter to add a capped 12v outlet.  The fuse and splices are protected underneath the propane cover, and the outlet is wire-tied to the tongue, with a downward slant to eliminate water accumulation inside the outlet.