Tip
Electrical access and extra outlets behind the microwave
7 months ago
In case anyone is wondering, here is the electrical behind the microwave—there are a few extra outlets back here if you need them!
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What do you use to get the Velcroed panels off? I tried the small one in the bathroom to expose the right screw for the bottom panel, but it was on there pretty solid. Maybe a pry tool? Just curious.
Around the microwave? Just my muscular fingers.
“Extra outlets”… good to know. Need to figure out if those outlets are active or not when “Energy Savings / 110V off” is active. A number of powered devices stay turned on, such as the bathroom and cooktop vents and iPad charger.
I am looking for a location high up somewhere but out of sight to mount a cellular modem/router, and it needs power, so those outlets might help. I was considering inside the panel next to the bed. There is a load of unused space behind the large bedside panel, but also lots of metal that could block signals and proximity to high-voltage cables.
FWIW, my solution was to put the router in the gear tunnel and plug it into the power there. The trailer is small enough that the Wi-Fi covers it from there with no problem, even to the office in the back of the trailer. When cell coverage is decent, the cellular modem works fine with the antenna in the cargo compartment.
If I need a boost, I have the option to move the antenna outside on a tall mast and run the wire through the cutout in the gear tunnel. All without the need to drill any holes or try to route cables through walls.
Yeah, but “where cell coverage is decent” is the key. One of my destinations is a mountaintop in North Carolina, and cell experience there is spotty. Hoping to avoid an external antenna, although I’m looking at Starlink, which I would connect to the router. I will test the gear tunnel location. Thanks.
I hear you on the spotty cell coverage. So far I haven't had any trouble, but I haven't gone too far off the beaten path yet. Preparing for that is why I wanted my setup to support an external cell antenna as well as the ability to add Starlink when or if that isn't sufficient. I'll be interested to hear what you decide to do—I’m always open to new and better solutions.
Thanks for the photos. On my wish list is an external solar input to enable use of portable solar panels to supplement the existing rooftop array. Glad to see that the controller is accessible, and I suspect that there is a path behind the fridge to route solar cable to the gear tunnel where one might install the external input. Have to do more research on that controller to determine what could be added.