Has anybody fitted a power cord reel to a Vanagon? Here's a reel from Reelcraft that might be suitable: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002CVTKEM/sbw That's 11.5 x 5 x 15.2 inches. I'd be sorely tempted to replace the Westy's 15-amp main breaker with a 10-amp breaker, so I could use this lighter-duty reel: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002CVTKI8/sbw That one is 9.8 x 4 x 11.5 inches, with smaller-gauge wire. Could it be mounted inside the van, out of the weather, and extend the cord through a modified hook-up plate? I'm thinking the reel can mount inside the cabinetry somewhere. This Reelcraft hose roller guide is 3.125 inch diameter: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003NNZB9Q/sbw That would allow more flexibility in the orientation of the reel. The roller guide would have to be mounted securely, recessed inside the hook-up far enough that the door would close over the retracted plug. Of course, you'd want the plug to extend, rather than the outlet, so you'd have to replace the cord. And use an outdoor-rated cord, since Reelcraft probably intends the reel to be used indoors. (It's easy to replace the cord on their larger models. Don't know about these light-duty models.) In wet or muddy conditions, you might not want to use the retractable cord. Instead, carry a separate cord and plug it into the retracted cord. |
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