Installing Shore Power in my Vanlife Camper Van | BRV021

Let's discuss what shore power is, how shore power got its name, the different sizes of shore power adapters, and finally installing a shore power adapter in my 2007 Ford E250 camper van, BigRobsVan.
Appearing in this video:
Shore Power Port (110v/15a): amzn.to/49HfVtL
11 circle round drill bits: amzn.to/3Jlz9dX
Ryobi Drill (P215BN): amzn.to/3STuJB8
00:00 Intro
00:26 What is Shore Power?
01:00 Why do you need Shore Power?
02:38 Three types of Shore Power Adapters (50a/30a/15a)
05:37 Installing a Shore Power Adapter in a camper van
11:48 Free stickers!
13:33 Bloopers and Outtakes
All Social Media Links: BigRobsVan.com/Links
Read the associated article here: bigrobsvan.com/2024/04/20/sho...
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This video was shot using my GoPro 11 and DJI wireless mics. No joke, the DJI mics blow away Rode mics, have more features, cost less, perform better, and work with both GoPro cameras and smartphones. The single best thing I did for my videos was upgrade to these mics. No more wires, no more low sound, no more background noise... total game changer.
GoPro Hero 11: amzn.to/40PU5Bz
DJI Wireless Mic (x2) w/Charger: amzn.to/49Mfz6A
Tripod/Selfie-Stick for GoPro and Smartphones: amzn.to/46zH7cI
Thanks for following my silly adventures in Big Rob's Van!

[@lissaestes7017]

Thanks, Rob, great information. I put a similar port on my minivan. I drilled through the jack cubby so I knew I wouldn't hit anything serious! I keep two 25 foot extension cords and a 3 outlet adapter in my van. On the inside of my van I use one of the pigtails for my fridge, and I have a power strip on the other pigtail to run my fans, lights, electric appliances, a heater if it's cold, and to recharge my power stations. One of the simplest and most useful additions to the van.

[@bigrobsvan]

The jack cubby is another great location -- great idea! I didn't mention it in the video, but here is the power strip I'm using. It has 8 outlets and (more important for me) four USB ports (three USB-A and one USB-C). (amzn.to/44bul4q) I also just bought an extension cord to keep with the van -- that's great advice, too. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@ericcomp7032]

Your videos are great Rob. Electric is complicated and you did a great job explaining the basics. Thanks again 😊

[@luvthigod]

Thanks big Rob . Very informative 👍🏽

[@Mity_Moose]

Another great video. Brilliant idea to use the hole saw on cardboard first. It’s the simple things in life we treasure.

[@bigrobsvan]

Thanks, Moose! I will be auctioning off the cardboard and plastic holes I found stick in the drill bit (haha).

[@Mity_Moose]

@@bigrobsvan yeah! Put BRV sticker on it. ;))

[@PointlessNostalgia]

Wonderful video! Really enjoyed it!

[@johnniemontgomery6682]

Great information!!!! Just became a subscriber!!

[@bigrobsvan]

Thanks! I thought this was the simplest way to add a port inside. I'm about to mount a power outlet on the inside and just plut into that to make it look a little nicer.

[@Rickscleaning]

The airline uses similar name we don’t say shore power we say ground power

[@bigrobsvan]

Ah, ground power -- makes sense!

[@rgruenhaus]

Shore power for the Navy is when we are in port at the pier and we connect to the power provided on the pier so we can stop the ship's engine.

[@ericcomp7032]

Fun fact: Rob hates fishing but loves rhyming 😂

[@bigrobsvan]

I am always fishing for rhymes yo! ;)

[@Petzel_KZ9ZAP]

You've just coined a new term, Rob: "Inconspicuous Camping."

[@Ms.Frankenbuilder]

Nice job, been looking for a way to charge a solar system with shore power. Built a DIY solar generator and when there is no sun I have been using a 12 volt lithium battery charger.

[@bigrobsvan]

Loved your solar generator video -- if you had a class, I would attend it! I'm about to tackle solar panels in a few more paychecks.

[@rattlecat5968]

I'm confused about the 12 gauge splitting into two 14 gauge wires. My home has all 12 gauge so it worries me that the 14 gauge in the van might not be sufficient for a microwave, heater and or small fridge. Thoughts? Explanation?

[@RobOHara]

Hey, great question and concern! According to the manual, this device can handle 1,800 watts. According to home building code, 14-gauge wiring is sufficient for wall outlets designed to handle 1,800 volts (at 15 amps). A 20 amp circuit would require 12-gauge. My extension cord is 12-gauge and rated for 1,875 watts, so that would be a good test -- whatever you can hook up with a single, thick extension cord, this should be able to handle as well. Running a microwave and a heater on high from the same outlet at the same time would trip most 15-amp circuits (you're talking close to 3,000 watts), so for most 120v scenarios I don't see that happening. I've tried my heater with this adapter and it worked fine -- again that's running from my workshop outlet, through an extension cord, and then through the shore power port. If you need more than 1,800 watts (which again is what most wall outlets are designed to handle) or aren't comfortable with 14g wire (the pigtails are about 1' in length) then you may have to wire up your own solution.

[@FrethKindheart]

I noticed a Ma Bell hard hat hanging on your wall. Do you or have you worked for a telephone company? The reason I ask... I'm a retired central office/network tech myself.

[@bigrobsvan]

Never worked for the phone company, but as a kid in the 80s with a computer and a fan of WarGames I was sure interested in how it all worked. ;) Also hanging on the pegboard are a couple of lineman's handsets (one red, one blue).

[@randyrandolph9709]

Your thumb nail says no wires how?

[@bigrobsvan]

No it doesn't. It says "no wiring required." As opposed to some shore power adapters that require you to run wires and wire up outlets, this adapter is a single piece with one male port on one end and two female ports on the other end. You don't need to do any wiring to install this adapter. All you need to be able to do is drill a hole.

[@Poncho758]

A lot of Gobley goop God Almighty.

[@bigrobsvan]

What the fuck is "Gobley goop?" Did you meant "gobbledygook?"