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Installing a shore line

757 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  ARCowboy, 
U
Calling all overlanders!

My compressor fridge/freezer lives in the rear passenger compartment of my '19 Canyon. I need to install a shore line to plug my truck into when I'm on the road bouncing from ambulance station to ambulance station, sometimes up to 14 days. I'm currently running the fridge off of DC power while I'm on the road. When I get to a station, I plug it into ac power with an extension cord. This is getting old quick. I'm thinking about rewiring the rear 12v accessory outlet to be powered on all of the time.

I know additional batteries and an isolator would be better, but I'm thinking about costs and storage space for the additional battery(s).

Im going to use a waterproof 10a automatic charger/maintainer mounted under the truck connected to my rear 0 gauge winch power cables.

I'm going to mount a shore line receptacle in the rear bumper and run the battery charger off of it. Everything will be fuzed including the positive and negative charger leads, taped and shrink tubed.

With this setup, I won't have to switch power sources for the fridge every time I shut the truck off and the truck battery will stay charged.

Concerns? Problems?
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WV NATIVE
unit505 said:
Calling all overlanders!

My compressor fridge/freezer lives in the rear passenger compartment of my '19 Canyon. I need to install a shore line to plug my truck into when I'm on the road bouncing from ambulance station to ambulance station, sometimes up to 14 days. I'm currently running the fridge off of DC power while I'm on the road. When I get to a station, I plug it into ac power with an extension cord. This is getting old quick. I'm thinking about rewiring the rear 12v accessory outlet to be powered on all of the time.

I know additional batteries and an isolator would be better, but I'm thinking about costs and storage space for the additional battery(s).

Im going to use a waterproof 10a automatic charger/maintainer mounted under the truck connected to my rear 0 gauge winch power cables.

I'm going to mount a shore line receptacle in the rear bumper and run the battery charger off of it. Everything will be fuzed including the positive and negative charger leads, taped and shrink tubed.

With this setup, I won't have to switch power sources for the fridge every time I shut the truck off and the truck battery will stay charged.

Concerns? Problems?
Click to expand...
I’ve considered doing a shore power plug myself but never pulled the trigger on it.

I’m curious to see where this thread goes.
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U
I think taking apart the center console and wiring the rear outlet is the most difficult part. Having the winch power front and rear makes the rest of it easy I believe.
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ARCowboy
unit505 said:
Calling all overlanders!

My compressor fridge/freezer lives in the rear passenger compartment of my '19 Canyon. I need to install a shore line to plug my truck into when I'm on the road bouncing from ambulance station to ambulance station, sometimes up to 14 days. I'm currently running the fridge off of DC power while I'm on the road. When I get to a station, I plug it into ac power with an extension cord. This is getting old quick. I'm thinking about rewiring the rear 12v accessory outlet to be powered on all of the time.

I know additional batteries and an isolator would be better, but I'm thinking about costs and storage space for the additional battery(s).

Im going to use a waterproof 10a automatic charger/maintainer mounted under the truck connected to my rear 0 gauge winch power cables.

I'm going to mount a shore line receptacle in the rear bumper and run the battery charger off of it. Everything will be fuzed including the positive and negative charger leads, taped and shrink tubed.

With this setup, I won't have to switch power sources for the fridge every time I shut the truck off and the truck battery will stay charged.

Concerns? Problems?
Click to expand...
Sounds like it will work, but do not fuse the negative; only the positive.

For the winch power, are you running them to something like Anderson SB350s ? That would make your whole setup quite flexible (and pretty easy to make). Big fan of Andersons.

Edit:
For a little bit more flexible/expandable/overland-ey setup, you could easily run a 50A fused ANCOR 4AWG Marine Grade Primary Wire cable into the rear of the cabin with an SB50 Anderson when you're running 1/0AWG winch lines to the rear. There are plastic plugs in the floor of the rear seats you could use for ingress, or if you're not afraid, you could drill.

Definitely recommend Ancor, or other marine grade wire and solid copper terminators like these SELTERM. 10 Tons Hydraulic Wire Crimper make cable making quite easy and repeatable, but the bolt cutter style will work as well.

The auto parts store premade end is the one with the black stuff still in the connector, the other 3 are hydraulic or bolt cutter crimped. They all made nice solid welds, but hydraulic was way easier.


Some of my power mods:
www.coloradofans.com

How To: HD Mil type battery terminals

All, Another short writeup on how to convert your main positive battery cable to an HD Mil type. To me this offers the ability to connect several things and also easily replaces the OEM when the square nut inevitably strips. (From L to R: winch, battery tender, blue sea systems fuse box, and...
www.coloradofans.com www.coloradofans.com
www.coloradofans.com

How To: Inverter + 120v Outlets

Disclaimer: I am not an engineer and I am not responsible for any modifications you make to the vehicle as a result of this guide. Use at your own risk/discretion. Obligatory not affiliated with these companies, I bought all of this myself, none of it was provided to me, etc... Time...
www.coloradofans.com www.coloradofans.com
www.coloradofans.com

How To: Switch Pros 9100, Power Tray, Blue Sea Systems...

All, Here is a How-To on how I built/installed my SP9100 on a PowerTray blank with some Blue Sea Systems components. My decision to mount the SP9100 vertically caused me to have to trim a small piece of metal with aviation snips, but otherwise it's 100% bolt on. Obligatory not affiliated with...
www.coloradofans.com www.coloradofans.com

Can see more in my build thread
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B
I was (still am) thinking about installing a AC port plug NOCO - AC Port Plug - GCP2 in my front bumper area to support a block heater and battery maintainer. I wonder if something like that could work for you.... install a decent battery charger/maintainer under hood.... leave the fridge on 12v power
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U
4
Thank you! I have Anderson Connectors front and rear. I have a front hitch for my winch and Anderson Connectors so I can relocate the winch from front to rear quickly. I also have Anderson Connectors on my off-road camper for cloudy days when the solar panel doesn't keep up. I have diy 01 gauge jumper cables as well with Anderson Connectors and an Anderson jumper for the truck to trailer.

Is there an inline Anderson? Like a tee that I can plug into for cabin power?
ARCowboy said:
Sounds like it will work, but do not fuse the negative; only the positive.

For the winch power, are you running them to something like Anderson SB350s ? That would make your whole setup quite flexible (and pretty easy to make). Big fan of Andersons.

Edit:
For a little bit more flexible/expandable/overland-ey setup, you could easily run a 50A fused ANCOR 4AWG Marine Grade Primary Wire cable into the rear of the cabin with an SB50 Anderson when you're running 1/0AWG winch lines to the rear. There are plastic plugs in the floor of the rear seats you could use for ingress, or if you're not afraid, you could drill.

Definitely recommend Ancor, or other marine grade wire and solid copper terminators like these SELTERM. 10 Tons Hydraulic Wire Crimper make cable making quite easy and repeatable, but the bolt cutter style will work as well.

The auto parts store premade end is the one with the black stuff still in the connector, the other 3 are hydraulic or bolt cutter crimped. They all made nice solid welds, but hydraulic was way easier.

View attachment 447357

Some of my power mods:
www.coloradofans.com

How To: HD Mil type battery terminals

All, Another short writeup on how to convert your main positive battery cable to an HD Mil type. To me this offers the ability to connect several things and also easily replaces the OEM when the square nut inevitably strips. (From L to R: winch, battery tender, blue sea systems fuse box, and...
www.coloradofans.com www.coloradofans.com
www.coloradofans.com

How To: Inverter + 120v Outlets

Disclaimer: I am not an engineer and I am not responsible for any modifications you make to the vehicle as a result of this guide. Use at your own risk/discretion. Obligatory not affiliated with these companies, I bought all of this myself, none of it was provided to me, etc... Time...
www.coloradofans.com www.coloradofans.com
www.coloradofans.com

How To: Switch Pros 9100, Power Tray, Blue Sea Systems...

All, Here is a How-To on how I built/installed my SP9100 on a PowerTray blank with some Blue Sea Systems components. My decision to mount the SP9100 vertically caused me to have to trim a small piece of metal with aviation snips, but otherwise it's 100% bolt on. Obligatory not affiliated with...
www.coloradofans.com www.coloradofans.com

Can see more in my build thread
Click to expand...

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AEONFLUX
You guys are [email protected]@$$e$ i mean it
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hoooogan
I'm installing one of these infront of a Victron 30 amp charger.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: NOCO GCP1 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with 16-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cord : Greyson Chance: Automotive

Buy NOCO GCP1 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with 16-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cord: Engine Heaters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

EDIT: the charger has the ability to drop down to 15amp, which is what I'll be doing, so I don't melt down my truck.
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U
hoooogan said:
I'm installing one of these infront of a Victron 30 amp charger.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: NOCO GCP1 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with 16-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cord : Greyson Chance: Automotive

Buy NOCO GCP1 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with 16-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cord: Engine Heaters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

EDIT: the charger has the ability to drop down to 15amp, which is what I'll be doing, so I don't melt down my truck.
Click to expand...
That's the receptacle that I have on my cargo conversion. Works well!
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ARCowboy
unit505 said:
Thank you! I have Anderson Connectors front and rear. I have a front hitch for my winch and Anderson Connectors so I can relocate the winch from front to rear quickly. I also have Anderson Connectors on my off-road camper for cloudy days when the solar panel doesn't keep up. I have diy 01 gauge jumper cables as well with Anderson Connectors and an Anderson jumper for the truck to trailer.

Is there an inline Anderson? Like a tee that I can plug into for cabin power?
Click to expand...
Love it. Have fun and post up some pictures of what you end up doing !

I'm not aware of any Anderson PP based Tees, but you could make one, though you'd have to upsize the terminal blade to the next size and probably would need to solder it... Not sure it's worth it, TBH.
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