The exterior power inlet is usually done in conjunction with adding an Automatic Transfer Switch but some owners merely want to get rid of the hassle of bending over and trying to fish the shore power cord through the bottom of the rear compartment.  Instead they want the convenience of pulling out a rolled-up shore power cord and plugging it right into the receptacle on the back of the Rialta.

These photos outline the general steps necessary to install an exterior power inlet.  There are several different brands of parts so make sure you get all the same brand so that everything will fit together.

Also, you will need to consider how to connect the new power inlet to the existing cord leading from the Magnatek converter box inside the coach.  As originally equipped from the factory, the shore power cord is nothing more than a big extension cord wired direct to the Magnatek box.  When running a generator, this cord plugs into the generator receptacle.  When in a campground, this cord plugs into the campground receptacle.

There are a few different way to accomplish this.  If you are planning to install an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), then this power inlet gets hard-wired to the ATS box.  See that page for further instructions.  If you are not planning on installing an ATS, you might consider the "Manual Transfer Switch" (MTS) which is nothing more than an electrical box with a switch on it.  Both the generator and the exterior power inlet are hard wired to the MTS.  The disadvantage is that you must stick your head inside and flip the switch each time you change from generator to shore power.

Alternatively, you could cut the existing shore power cord to about 3 or 4 feet long and install a male plug on the end.  You could then install a female plug receptacle right inside the exterior power inlet.  You then move the short shore power cord between the two choices of receptacles, either the generator or the exterior inlet.

Regardless of what choice you decide upon for the wiring hookups inside the rear compartment, you will need a shore power cord with the male plug on one end and a female plug on the other end, just like a big extension cord.  You can probably use the existing shore power cord that you cut off inside the rear compartment thereby utilizing the male plug on one end and you'd only have to install the female plug on the other end.  This shore power cord can now be rolled up and stored wherever and however you please.  See the Jack Handle & Shore Line Storage mod for one idea.

Some of the various parts necessary.

 

You are actually drilling a hole through the outer skin of the Rialta and through the plastic liner of the rear compartment.

 

With spacers between the outer skin and the plastic liner glued in place, the exterior power inlet can be installed and wired to your choice or method of operation.

Another location

Additional Modifications: