IMO the Self Contained OEM RV style outlets are junk. They meet the NEC standard but the amount of actual surface contact the wires make with the spring clips is marginal at best....
The industry uses these because they are quick to install and get the job done.. sometimes... IF the person using the SCD tool to install the wires into this type of outlet isn't experienced or doesn't check his work then you end up with a 120 volt AC outlet that may fail due to intermittent or no connection problem down the road
Additionally.. with many folks running inside space heaters and lots of high wattage appliances like an instapot, toaster, crock pot, hair dryer the outlet is drawing a lot of current with marginal surface contact at the wire to spring clamping feature on the back of the SC style outlet.
A simple low cost upgrade for all your 120 volt AC outlets would be to remove the SC style RV outlet and install in its place a "Old Work Box" SHALLOW style outlet box with a new 120 volt AC receptacle using the style with screws on the side to attach the wires.
This will give you an outlet that can safely and reliably draw current and wont vibrate loose after towing down less than stellar roads.
I've done this with my 2014 Alpine even though none of the OEM SC style outlets had caused any issues. I immediately noticed the outlet in the kitchen my wife uses for her appliances is much cooler to the touch..
I also removed the OEM fireplace and replaced that outlet as well.. a bit more work to remove the fireplace but worth the effort
The pieces and parts needed to upgrade your SC style RV outlets can be found at any Lowes or Home Depot or ordered on line
Old Work Shallow Box:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-1...RSWR/202077341
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CARLON-1-Ga...l-Box/50425678
***There are a few other style "Old Work Shallow" single gang boxes that may suit your particular RV better then the ones I've shown but these worked fine for my application
Replacement 120 volt 15 amp outlet:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...-ECP/301361472
You can buy the outlets in bulk ( ten per pack) and save a bit... I bought bulk
Images of a typical OEM SC style RV outlet.. you can see there was minimal contact and one pic it looks like the spring clamp didn't penetrate the wire insulation at all
If you have some basic electrical skills this is an easy task to complete and will assure you that your RV 120 volt AC outlets are safer and more reliable..
And of course.. safety is paramount. Disconnect shore power or kill the 120 volt AC breaker on the outlets your going to work on
*** And yes you can buy more expensive 120 volt AC outlets to use instead of the .68 cent ones I used. But for my purposes these work fine and I have them installed in my 30 year old home. The old ones in the house were the ones that the wire pushed into the back side and made contact with a spring clip. These have been in use for over a year a have had no issues. They provide good plug retention and my wife cant yank the vacuum cleaner cord out of the wall outlet .. she has to pull at the plug
YMMV
Linear Mode
