Finally made it happen - 2nd 30 amp hookup at home
In September 2013, the same month we purchased our Outback, I installed a 30 amp shore power box on the side of the garage. I did the wiring inside the garage and got everything ready. Then called an electricial to connect all the wires. I've been very happy with it ever since. However, the location could have been better. We're kind of limited which side of the drive way we can park the camper on without driving over the RV 30 amp extension cord. But for the most part, very happy after 3 years.
Here's a photo of the original plug before installation:
We like to face the camper toward the house as we use the camper all year round at home, but facing this direction means stepping out the dor on wet grass (or snow). The answer was to turn the camper the other direction, thus the asphalt drive way, but now facing away from the house.
So, we did some experimenting and found out if I ran all 155 feet of cord from that box, I could snake it around the front of the garage and down the other side of the drive way and reach the plug in the camper. We loved this position for the camper, facing the house, awning over the asphalt and still room for the cars to get around.
So we decided it was time for a new plug. I purchased one from my local RV dealer near us and called an election from install. They said they'd return our call in 2 days. They never called back.
Contacted a second electrician and they made an appointment for last Friday. Thursday night the returned a call and said they would not be coming out as they don't service our area! WHAT!??? OK, this REALLY made me mad as an old hen left in the barnyard wet!
We went camping over the week-end and I sat and brewed over the matter. Decided I'd just do it myself ... all of it!
Long story short, got back Sunday afternoon, ran over to Lowe's, got the wire, the conduit parts, and put my know-how to work. I'd seen enough people connect wires to fuse boxes, it was finally time ... after 61 years of life, it was time to do it myself or just get zapped and go ahead and die! I choose death! I was that ticked-off at both electricians!
So methodically, I worked away Sunday afternoon, and by-golly! I got it! Safe! No electrical "zapping!" Polarity correct, and works fantastic!
Now we got 2 thirty amp plug-ins. I was teasing my wife last night (we slept in the camper again), that if I installed one more, we could start an RV park! She said .... "No way!"
Original 30 amp plug (between door and front of garage, and location we really wanted the camper parked:
Position of camper we wanted and you can see the electric panel that feeds the house and garage. Main electric line comes in the meter and goes into a 200 amp box. There it splits, 100 to hosue, 100 to garage, and 2 blocks for 20-30 breakers. One block was used for a light on the basketball goal we just took down, and I left that block, disconnected the wire, and will eventually run another 15-20 amp normal outside plug.
Second block was installed for the new 30 amp RV plug.
Here's a photo of the trailer and the electric board:
They grey box on the end cap is the new RV plug. Grey conduit is all new. I'm plugged in here:
RV box:
Main 200 amp box. Very top: 200 amp main breaker for everything. Middle section: Second breaker: new 30 amp RV. 3nd breaker, 20 amp - now not connected to anything, 4th breaker - 100 amp to garage, 5th breaker - 100 amp to house.
Here's a photo of both boxes, the one on the side of the garage, and the new on on the outside electric panel:
Moral of the story! If someone else can do it ... I can do it too! My fear of electric panels is now over! I highly respect them, but my fear is over!
Total cost: About $135 for the box, the wire, the conduit and all parts for the conduit. Sure was a lot cheaper than getting that electrician! They just lost ... I gained!
DutchmenSport is a VERY happy camper now! Looking forward to many, many more nights in the camper at home! (and on the road!)
Here's a photo of the original plug before installation:
We like to face the camper toward the house as we use the camper all year round at home, but facing this direction means stepping out the dor on wet grass (or snow). The answer was to turn the camper the other direction, thus the asphalt drive way, but now facing away from the house.
So, we did some experimenting and found out if I ran all 155 feet of cord from that box, I could snake it around the front of the garage and down the other side of the drive way and reach the plug in the camper. We loved this position for the camper, facing the house, awning over the asphalt and still room for the cars to get around.
So we decided it was time for a new plug. I purchased one from my local RV dealer near us and called an election from install. They said they'd return our call in 2 days. They never called back.
Contacted a second electrician and they made an appointment for last Friday. Thursday night the returned a call and said they would not be coming out as they don't service our area! WHAT!??? OK, this REALLY made me mad as an old hen left in the barnyard wet!
We went camping over the week-end and I sat and brewed over the matter. Decided I'd just do it myself ... all of it!
Long story short, got back Sunday afternoon, ran over to Lowe's, got the wire, the conduit parts, and put my know-how to work. I'd seen enough people connect wires to fuse boxes, it was finally time ... after 61 years of life, it was time to do it myself or just get zapped and go ahead and die! I choose death! I was that ticked-off at both electricians!
So methodically, I worked away Sunday afternoon, and by-golly! I got it! Safe! No electrical "zapping!" Polarity correct, and works fantastic!
Now we got 2 thirty amp plug-ins. I was teasing my wife last night (we slept in the camper again), that if I installed one more, we could start an RV park! She said .... "No way!"
Original 30 amp plug (between door and front of garage, and location we really wanted the camper parked:
Position of camper we wanted and you can see the electric panel that feeds the house and garage. Main electric line comes in the meter and goes into a 200 amp box. There it splits, 100 to hosue, 100 to garage, and 2 blocks for 20-30 breakers. One block was used for a light on the basketball goal we just took down, and I left that block, disconnected the wire, and will eventually run another 15-20 amp normal outside plug.
Second block was installed for the new 30 amp RV plug.
Here's a photo of the trailer and the electric board:
They grey box on the end cap is the new RV plug. Grey conduit is all new. I'm plugged in here:
RV box:
Main 200 amp box. Very top: 200 amp main breaker for everything. Middle section: Second breaker: new 30 amp RV. 3nd breaker, 20 amp - now not connected to anything, 4th breaker - 100 amp to garage, 5th breaker - 100 amp to house.
Here's a photo of both boxes, the one on the side of the garage, and the new on on the outside electric panel:
Moral of the story! If someone else can do it ... I can do it too! My fear of electric panels is now over! I highly respect them, but my fear is over!
Total cost: About $135 for the box, the wire, the conduit and all parts for the conduit. Sure was a lot cheaper than getting that electrician! They just lost ... I gained!
DutchmenSport is a VERY happy camper now! Looking forward to many, many more nights in the camper at home! (and on the road!)
