Replacing / Upgrading Electrical Panel

[rookie_rv]

Hello, Rookie RVer :C here!!!!!

Is there a "need" or benefit(s) to changing the electrical panel? My Class A is a 1996, no problems with electric. I have been upgrading/modifying "this and that" in the Class A and just curious to know if there is any benefit to changing the 1996 electrical panel with something more recent. Part of my thinking is that upgrading will have better electrical components compared to the 1996 components.

Thank you in advance....

[Toolguy5]

agesilaus wrote:
First Law of Engineering: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Agree!

[myredracer]

Very unlikely to be any reason to replace the 120 volt AC panel. Depending on what's in there for a 120 volt to 12 volt DC converter, that might be worth replacing with a better quality and more up to date one (like a Progressive Dynamics or Magnetek) that will look after your batteries better. Perhaps you could post the make and model no. of the converter.

One thing I would highly recommend regardless, is to check all the AC and DC connections you can find in and around the converter/panel and make sure they are tight.

If you don't have one, an EMS unit like one of the highly regarded Progressive Industries units would be an excellent thing to add. I prefer a hardwired one mounted inside.

[Steve_83406]

I don't know if this will help... I have a 1991 Prowler 24C. I recently replaced the converter with a Power Dynamics PD9245C. Then I got a bug to put in a surge protector. Rather than letting a thief make an easy $100 by stealing a protector off a power hookup, I decided I needed a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C hardwired protector. To install it I would have to pull my Magnetek power center so I could access the space behind it. While I had it out, I changed out the 9-circuit 12V DC fuse panel for a new Parallax 12-circuit panel. Below is a picture of the internals of the power center. There isn't much in there, a few circuit breakers and some connector strips. I changed all the feed-through protectors for the wires, cleaned up the wiring a little, and added a small notch to allow easy access to the first fuse.

My 2 cents? Only change the box if you have nothing better to do!
Steve

[beemerphile1]

No benefit to replacing the electrical panel but there may be benefit to replacing the converter. What brand and model converter does it have?

[ScottG]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
How old is your stick and bricks house? When was the last time you replaced the electric panels? Why is electricity in your RV different from the electricity in your house?

I had to replace a popular model that was on a recall list for burning houses down. It was 30 years old and worked fine but of course we cant take a chance like that.
So they do need to be replaced sometimes.

[DownTheAvenue]

How old is your stick and bricks house? When was the last time you replaced the electric panels? Why is electricity in your RV different from the electricity in your house?

[DrewE]

Replacing the converter (which may be built into the electric panel)? There's a very good chance that that would be well worthwhile.

Otherwise replacing the AC or DC distribution panel? There's no advantage so long as it's in good shape, which basically means that it hasn't overheated due to loosened connections or something like that. A new panel will have exactly the same technology, and identical or virtually identical components. Even in a house, the main difference between a new electric panel installation and one from twenty (or forty) years ago is the mandated use of arc fault breakers rather than plain breakers. I don't think arc fault breakers are required for RVs as yet, so that wouldn't apply here.

If you have a 30A panel and need more electric capacity, it might make sense to upgrade it (and the shore power inlet and transfer switch) to a 50A panel...but it doesn't sound like you're in that situation.

[Matt_Colie]

Darius,

Are you talking about the AC (shore power) panel or the DC panel.

My coach is OLD, and the essential components are still shelf stock at any big box. The DC panel, if it includes the converter may be a good idea. The modern converters are Soo Much better than most of 20 years ago, this might be worth doing.

For the last bunch of years (after I came ashore from merchant ships) I have been in the business of upgrading the electrics of performance cruisers (these are retired racing sloops). Depending on what your current panel is, it might just be a waste of time. But, if you need more circuits (not uncommon) you might, add an additional panel or replacement panel may be a good idea.

In either case, I am available to listen to you plan and provide what help I can based on my experience. I'm here a lot.

Do you know what the difference is between a boat and an RV???
Water will leak out of an RV.

Matt

[ScottG]

If there had been a recall or persistent problems with a panel then it makes sense to replace it even if yours had never faltered.
What you have is still a modern type of panel and should be fine for many more years.

[agesilaus]

First Law of Engineering: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.