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Debbiepowers's avatar
Debbiepowers
Explorer
Jul 25, 2019

Switching out amperage box

Ok, so I've been looking and have not seen this question arise. With all of the electrical conversions people use out there, (home power vs shore power etc) The one question I have is....what if instead of being limited by what your RV's electrical system can handle vs the amount of power available to you at the source (30amp / 50amp shore and 15amp home electrical outlet), could you theoretically just hard wire your RV with a 100amp box to use a 100/150/200amp electrical pole on your own property? I know you can just bypass your RV's electrical system with an extension cord from such a pole and run anything you want, but could you theoretically just wire (box and breakers, circuits / appropriately gauged wires etc) your RV for this purpose to begin with?

I am going to live in my 2005 gulfstream (gutted and rebuilt with non-VCO materials) and I need to be able to run my ac/heat, appliances year round and use whatever electronic devices I want.
I turned one end of the RV into a mobile sound studio and have a bunch of music equipment as well.

Is this possible?
  • 50 amp RV supply is good for 2 air conditioners, washer/dryer, microwave, water heater and tons of other stuff. I would stick with 50 amp unless you plan to have 240v cooking appliances.

    You can also incorporate an energy management system that will shed loads as needed depending on the supply.

    For further flexability you can get an inverter that will combine power with limited utility resources to run partially off battery during temporary heavy loads.

    You can do virtually anything you like including a 200 amp panel if you must.
  • MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    Go online and shop for a mariner's guide for setting up a high amperage box that includes 240 and 120


    Thank you for the links, I will check them out.
  • MrWizard wrote:

    a 50amp RV is (2) legs of 120v a 50amps each
    total equals 100amps at 120v aka 12000 volt-amps


    That makes sense. I am new to electric so I forgot about the spit in the box for a total. Yeah completely gutted, just installed the floors but the walls and ceiling are still bare. Old electrical is 30 amp and the box is laying on the floor so I have the opportunity to wire however I like but 50 amp box makes more sense in case I want to move it, use shore power somewhere etc without too much hassle.
  • Yes, and to have actual 240 available requires strict observance of NEC code fundamentals.

    You wish substantial increases in amperage. So kiss-off RV circuit boxes period. trying to operate 80 amps through 50 amp aluminum conductors is a sure ticket to visit St Peter.

    Go online and shop for a mariner's guide for setting up a high amperage box that includes 240 and 120. A box like that for a house is huge huge, and no not vibrate going down a highway. You very well may decide on a marine system.

    https://www.bluesea.com/

    https://panelwizard.bluesea.com/
  • a 30 amp RV service is 30amps at 120v = 3600 volt-amps
    a 50amp RV is (2) legs of 120v a 50amps each
    total equals 100amps at 120v aka 12000 volt-amps

    can an electrician replace your rv breaker panel with a a larger service ? yes
    if there is room to mount it
    yes he will have to rewire with proper gauge wire from outside to the service panel

    if you have a 30amp rv, i would convert to 50amp RV service
    modern sound recording equipment does not need a lot power

    concert/Band Amplifiers for sound output need power, but its doubtful you need that inside the RV studio

    BUT if you are gutting and rebuilding, get the electrician to Re-wire it anyway you want with as much service power as you are willing to pay for