"how to" on installing a 30 amp plug at your home?

[efiguero]

So I'd like a 30 amp plug installed in my garage, is this something a DIYer can do? I was curious also if it is possible to use the wiring for an existing basic outlet to swap out the standard plug with a 30 amp plug if the breaker fuse is updated to a 30 amp fuse? Or would the wire gauge not be sufficient? Anyone do this? Thanks in advance for any pointers of suggestions.

[kaydeejay]

DougE wrote:
30 amp single pole breaker. 10 gauge 2 conductor w/ground nomex wire. 30 amp receptacle w/box and cover. Black wire to breaker. White wire to neutral buss bar. Bare copper wire to ground buss.

The key here is the SINGLE 30A breaker. If you hire a pro and he installs a DOUBLE breaker, then he has probably wired 220V as the TT-30 receptacle looks VERY similar to a 220V dryer receptacle.
Check it, then check it again - much less hassle than replacing all the electronics (and other stuff) in your trailer.

[Pauljdav]

eric1514 wrote:
You might not need a 30 amps. 20 is enough unless you need to run the A/C and the microwave at the same time. You can wire a 20 amp circuit using a 30 amp RV outlet if you don't want to use an adaptor.

Eric

X2. This is how I did mine. I have 20 amp going to a 30 amp plug. I can run the AC no problem with no voltage drop.

The circuit breaker is the 20 amp so all is safe. If I overload it it would shut off. So far I have not over loaded it.

Paul

[john_bet]

rockhillmanor wrote:

lizbard wrote:
Paid an electrician $365 to purchase the 30 amp box, wire it, get permit, went into hot attic to complete the job.It was worth it and was done in less than an hour. Have had no problems. ........

So did I. Only thing was he wired it for 220. Don't have to tell you what happened the first time I plugged into it. 😞 $3,000.

Read this web site.
http://www.myrv.us/electric/
Even if you hire an electrician they can and do wire it wrong. Not all electricians are RV'ers. Their brain is stuck on 'I know more than you do about electric.'

Then, I would guess that his insurance bond payed for the damages to your equipment?

[Lovedays]

I called a random electrician in the phonebook, he was an RVer so he knew what I needed. He installed a 30 amp outlet for my TT on a dedicated breaker right under the panel in my garage for $70. I would have paid more for the peace of mind that it was done correctly and for the convenience. In hindsight I probably should have put in a 50 amp.
I'm a DIY kind of guy but when it comes to electricity I let someone else handle it.

[Kpackpackkelley]

DougE wrote:
30 amp single pole breaker. 10 gauge 2 conductor w/ground nomex wire. 30 amp receptacle w/box and cover. Black wire to breaker. White wire to neutral buss bar. Bare copper wire to ground buss.

There you go. http://www.rvpartscountry.com/30A120VReceptacle.html
http://www.askmediy.com/220-volt-plugs-receptacles-configurations/
They are both 3 prong but one is 120 and the other 220 just make sure you get the right one.

[DougE]

30 amp single pole breaker. 10 gauge 2 conductor w/ground nomex wire. 30 amp receptacle w/box and cover. Black wire to breaker. White wire to neutral buss bar. Bare copper wire to ground buss.

[mbopp]

I cheaped out and put a dedicated 20A circuit in my garage. 12ga Romex in the house, 12ga THHN in EMT conduit in the garage, terminated in a 20A GFI outlet.

[Ron3rd]

I don't think you'd have a problem with the pro wiring it wrong if you show him in advance the 30amp RV wiring diagram! Explain to him, "THIS IS NOT 220V, IT IS A 120V "RV" PLUG, NOT A DRYER OUTLET!

Tell him, "this is how I want it wired and if you wire it for 220v you'll owe me some serious cash!

If you give the electrician a head's up, you'll be fine as many, many, have not wired the 30A RV outlet.

BTW, installed mine myself years ago with a bit of advice from this forum. I was lucky because we had a 220V dryer outlet on the other side of the wall that we would never use so I was able to take the 120V from there.

[Kpackpackkelley]

http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/
These guys can guide you and tell you the codes.

[naturist]

rockhillmanor wrote:

lizbard wrote:
Paid an electrician $365 to purchase the 30 amp box, wire it, get permit, went into hot attic to complete the job.It was worth it and was done in less than an hour. Have had no problems. ........

So did I. Only thing was he wired it for 220. Don't have to tell you what happened the first time I plugged into it. 😞 $3,000.

Read this web site.
http://www.myrv.us/electric/
Even if you hire an electrician they can and do wire it wrong. Not all electricians are RV'ers. Their brain is stuck on 'I know more than you do about electric.'

Hear, hear!

I dunno how one can justify not owning a volt meter, inexpensive ones can be gotten at Radio Shack for $25 or so. Such a device will tell you if the electrician wired it right, if the campground is wired right, if the voltage is right, if the outlet is hot, if . . . electricity is powerful and dangerous stuff. I want to know BEFORE I plug in, rather than find out later after the smoke clears.

Not to mention that even if you hire an electrician to do the job, simply holding it in your hand as you talk to him will add to your credibility when you tell him to wire you a 30 amp, 120 volt circuit for your RV. Maybe even convince him you really did mean 120 volt, not 220. And enable you to check the voltage before he packs up his tools to leave.

[wa8yxm]

Before you start trying to put a 30 amp RV outlet in your garage let me ask you a question.

Have you ever installed a 15 amp circuit? If the answer is yes, then read on, if not Hire someone who is licensed.. And have them put in a 50, not a 30. Explanation follows:

Now: the TT-30 install

The job is identical to installing a 15 amp duplex outlet with the following differences.

Different outlet (TT-30 instead of Duplex 15)
Different wire (heavier, 8 or 10 ga depending on the run)
Different circuit breaker (Like the wire, 30 amp instead of15)

That's it. Otherwise it's the same job. both are 120 volt outlets. both hook up the same way (Black wire to copper screw, White to Sliver, Green/bare to Green) That's all there is to it.


Now: If you have to hire it done why have 'em do a 50?

MANY stories about folks who hired an electrician to install a 30 and the professional wired it wrong and burned up the electronics in their trailer.

If he puts in a 50, this almost never happens.(Not one story to date in the years I've been reading forums)

PLUS the cost to upgrade, when you upgrade, is zero.

[rockhillmanor]

lizbard wrote:
Paid an electrician $365 to purchase the 30 amp box, wire it, get permit, went into hot attic to complete the job.It was worth it and was done in less than an hour. Have had no problems. ........

So did I. Only thing was he wired it for 220. Don't have to tell you what happened the first time I plugged into it. 😞 $3,000.

Read this web site.
http://www.myrv.us/electric/
Even if you hire an electrician they can and do wire it wrong. Not all electricians are RV'ers. Their brain is stuck on 'I know more than you do about electric.'

[efiguero]

Thanks for all the info everyone, good stuff. I'll definitely make sure I research it before I attempt it and if I feel it is over my head I'll contact an electrician instead go going at it.

[lizbard]

Paid an electrician $365 to purchase the 30 amp box, wire it, get permit, went into hot attic to complete the job.It was worth it and was done in less than an hour. Have had no problems. We remodeled the house and had to get a new breaker box in order to be in code with at least 2 empty slots. If not, then you would need an electrician to install one for additional fee. That is if you want it done correctly and according to code from a licensed electrician. If it is not to code, both of you could be fined, especially if it was done incorrectly and your house burned.