Date:         Sat, 3 Aug 2013 14:13:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG>
Subject:      Shore Power Cord Reel?
In-Reply-To:  <201308031700.r73H0Co91148@sbw.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

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.