Forum Discussion

obscenic's avatar
obscenic
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014

Looking for a power centre compatible with 240v breakers

Greetings comrades.
I'm in the midst of an electrical upgrade project on a class B motorhome. It's a 1983 and currently has just 15amp u-ground service. One breaker, which splits to all outlets, appliances and to a 12v converter.

I'm a fulltimer, and I'm switching to electric heat from propane (convenience factor). Due to my climate, this leaves me needing a 240v heater. I've got 30amp, 240v service (L1, L2, N, G) so I can run my 240v heater as well as my 120v appliances. Since the converter is original (1983) and only has a single stage charger (and I have a brand new high quality AGM battery bank), I think it's probably time to put in a power centre.

What I'm struggling with is finding a power centre that meets the following criteria:

1. Must have 240v capability (ie, I can put a 2 pole breaker into it with one pole on each leg)
2. Must have a multi stage changer converter.
3. Doesn't need to be high capacity, I'll probably put a 30amp main breaker in instead of a 50.
4. The converter doesn't need to be high capacity - all of my lighting is LED and the only other things on 12v are a vent fan and water pump.
5. I don't have a generator so I don't need a xfer switch.
6. Needs to be as compact as possible as it will end up located underneath a dinette bench seat, where the breaker and converter presently live.

I'm looking at http://www.parallaxpower.com/power-centers-5300-series but unsure if it will allow a 2 pole breaker and it's unclear whether or not it has a 4 stage charger.

Any other suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Nov 11, 2014
    You could use one like this and then get a stand alone converter such as the PD9245
    http://www.bestconverter.com/Parallax-500-12-P24-50-Amp-Distribution-Panel_p_233.html#.VGJwZoctBdg
    You could call or email these people.
    Why not use a 120 volt heater?
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2014
    Any 50 amp power center will be 240 volt, but I would go separate 120 and 12 volt systems, with a stand alone converter.
  • obscenic's avatar
    obscenic
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    smkettner, that's the same link I posted :)

    Chris, thanks - I assumed so; but what's not clear is whether or not they will accept 2 pole breakers as nearly NO RV's have 240v appliances. I was looking for an all in one, given that you can normally replace the converter as a unit, but I'm not opposed to two separate units.

    Enblethen, I did call and leave a message, but no call back. I can't use a 120v heater because the max I could get out of that would be 2000 watts, and the minimum I need is 3500 watts to heat in the dead of winter. It gets down to minus 30 degrees Celcius here ( minus 22 Fahrenheit).
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2014
    I think you will probably have an easier time finding a small residential/outbuilding subpanel type of unit and using a separate standalone converter/charger. There are plenty of standalone 12V distribution panels available; putting all three pieces together is only a matter of convenience for the maker, and so the options with them grouped are relatively limited.

    I don't see any good reason to limit your main breaker to 30A. If you have a 50A plug, as I assume you are planning to do, you need to have the lead-in cord and all the wiring between it and the RV main breaker rated for a 50A circuit.
  • obscenic's avatar
    obscenic
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    Nope, I only have 30 amp service and 30 amp plug (240v, NOT 120v 30a). If I have to use a 50amp service at any point I'll make up my own dogbone. Good point about individual units... Is it still to code to use a household breaker panel in an RV?
  • obscenic's avatar
    obscenic
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    smkettner, that new link you posted has a breaker subpanel built in as well.
  • obscenic's avatar
    obscenic
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    Having finally found hi-res photos of the PD4560, there is just one bus bar, split in the middle. The top gets 120v from one leg, the bottom gets 120v from the other leg. There is nowhere in the panel where you can get a 240v output :(
    Looks like I'm stuck with a household one.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Nov 12, 2014
    obscenic wrote:
    Nope, I only have 30 amp service and 30 amp plug (240v, NOT 120v 30a). If I have to use a 50amp service at any point I'll make up my own dogbone. Good point about individual units... Is it still to code to use a household breaker panel in an RV?


    I don't know for sure, but I cannot imagine any reason why it would not be up to code, provided the neutral and ground busses are separate and isolated. I think most small panels can be set up either way, though sometimes it takes an extra cost accessory kit to do one or the other.
  • greenrvgreen's avatar
    greenrvgreen
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2014
    To our Comrade OP:

    While most high-wattage electric heaters run on 240v, it is a fact of this universe that a single 3000 watt heater at 240v or two 1500 watt heaters at 120v put out the same amount of heat. Worth considering if the only reason you're redoing your SEP is to accomodate that electric heater.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,188 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 17, 2025