Confused about wiring my Recent Purchase
Good evening guys and I hope you all can help me. I have gleaned a wealth of knowledge so far but have come here for the advice from people that know RV's.
Story ....
Moving into an RV for 4 months whilst house sells.
Have an OLD Barn / Shed building which has power 200ft from main building, however, was wired ages ago and hence only has an old breaker panel with 3 feeds 2 Hots and a Neutral/Ground. This panel runs off the main, so I suppose by old standards would be called a sub main. By today's standards should be a sub panel, however, it has no Ground Poles around the barn, hence not really a sub panel and not to current code. All the grounds / neutrals for the lights and sockets in the panel for the barn are joined together into the one bar at the bottom of my Sqaure D Panel.
I am moving an Travel Trailer in there next week and have to get the electrics sorted this week. I spoke to 2 electricians and both explained that what I had was NOT uncommon and what they did in Those Days.
After much reading and research I asked should I strip the old panel out, and purchase a Sub panel with separate neutral and ground bars, sink 2 8ft ground rods to spec for the new box, and rewire all the grounds and neutrals to the new box. i.e. neutral bus isolated from grounds and old grounds would be tied to box and 2 new 8ft ground rods.
They both said that this was unnecessary, AS LONG AS I was sure that the neutral bus bar was in good condition and that I was sure that the wiring in my USED trailer was in good condition. I understand that with codes and safety now it is required to provide a separate ground circuit at a sub panel, however, being as old as the barn is, would it be possible or sensible at all to wire the trailer up, once all checks made to existing wiring, to my existing barn panel as it stands just now.
I'm running way over budget for this project and need to know what I have to do and what is possible. Safety is paramount ! I will do what I have to do but am getting confused with what electricians say and what I have taught and know myself and what I have researched.
Your advice would be most welcome guys.
Use existing Panel .. or complete rewire ?
Just had 4 truckloads of gravel laid for the trailer, going through my orientation next week and delivery withing 1.5 weeks.
Background....
Mechanic by trade, good overall knowledge of electricity and wiring.
Don't like doing things in halfs, don't complete projects or DIY unless researched to death and 110% comfortable !
PS. This is my First RV / Travel Trailer
PPS. Thanks in advance for any replies
Story ....
Moving into an RV for 4 months whilst house sells.
Have an OLD Barn / Shed building which has power 200ft from main building, however, was wired ages ago and hence only has an old breaker panel with 3 feeds 2 Hots and a Neutral/Ground. This panel runs off the main, so I suppose by old standards would be called a sub main. By today's standards should be a sub panel, however, it has no Ground Poles around the barn, hence not really a sub panel and not to current code. All the grounds / neutrals for the lights and sockets in the panel for the barn are joined together into the one bar at the bottom of my Sqaure D Panel.
I am moving an Travel Trailer in there next week and have to get the electrics sorted this week. I spoke to 2 electricians and both explained that what I had was NOT uncommon and what they did in Those Days.
After much reading and research I asked should I strip the old panel out, and purchase a Sub panel with separate neutral and ground bars, sink 2 8ft ground rods to spec for the new box, and rewire all the grounds and neutrals to the new box. i.e. neutral bus isolated from grounds and old grounds would be tied to box and 2 new 8ft ground rods.
They both said that this was unnecessary, AS LONG AS I was sure that the neutral bus bar was in good condition and that I was sure that the wiring in my USED trailer was in good condition. I understand that with codes and safety now it is required to provide a separate ground circuit at a sub panel, however, being as old as the barn is, would it be possible or sensible at all to wire the trailer up, once all checks made to existing wiring, to my existing barn panel as it stands just now.
I'm running way over budget for this project and need to know what I have to do and what is possible. Safety is paramount ! I will do what I have to do but am getting confused with what electricians say and what I have taught and know myself and what I have researched.
Your advice would be most welcome guys.
Use existing Panel .. or complete rewire ?
Just had 4 truckloads of gravel laid for the trailer, going through my orientation next week and delivery withing 1.5 weeks.
Background....
Mechanic by trade, good overall knowledge of electricity and wiring.
Don't like doing things in halfs, don't complete projects or DIY unless researched to death and 110% comfortable !
PS. This is my First RV / Travel Trailer
PPS. Thanks in advance for any replies
