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Old 07-09-2018, 05:55 PM   #1
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30amp-50amp upgrade

I have a 2002 Thor Windsport 35D and want to upgrade to 50 amp service. Has anyone done this upgrade and are there existing wiring schematics for 2002 models available?
I am in PA any suggestions on how to proceed?

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Old 07-09-2018, 06:00 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by wp013111 View Post
I have a 2002 Thor Windsport 35D and want to upgrade to 50 amp service. Has anyone done this upgrade and are there existing wiring schematics for 2002 models available?
I am in PA any suggestions on how to proceed?
I would question the financial viability of trying to upgrade all the wiring/breaker boxes and so on...
I do not believe that your expense to do so will justify the marginal improvements achieved..
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:23 PM   #3
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You might want to contact Thor, and request the wiring schematics.
If you tell them what your plan is: they could probably tell you what needs upgrading!
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:31 PM   #4
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You will need at least a new Breaker panel, ATS, 50 Amp plug and upgraded wiring to/from these devices.

If you just want the extra capacity for a second Air Conditioner, it may be more feasible to run an individual 20 Amp circuit to it directly with it's own plug and then use a 50 Amp plug/adapter like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Conntek-Adatp.../dp/B003YDY89Y
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:32 PM   #5
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50 amp upgrade

Thanks for the responses.. I realize this is not a $500 thing to do, the idea of contacting Thor is a good idea. I will start there because that makes it easier for an electrician and saves me money from having him chase down wires.
As far as if it is necessary I am tired of just running 1 AC unit and having to turn it off to use the microwave.
Any other ideas are welcome and thanks again.
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:38 PM   #6
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A cheaper fix might be to isolate the microwave supply line (they are usually on a dedicated circuit anyway) to a single 110V line and run that line directly out near your 30A plug in a compartment somewhere. You could plug that line into a 15/20A outlet separate from your 30A connection but at the same power post.
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:45 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by wp013111 View Post
Thanks for the responses.. I realize this is not a $500 thing to do, the idea of contacting Thor is a good idea. I will start there because that makes it easier for an electrician and saves me money from having him chase down wires.
As far as if it is necessary I am tired of just running 1 AC unit and having to turn it off to use the microwave.
Any other ideas are welcome and thanks again.
Good luck with this project; please keep us informed as to it's progress!
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:45 PM   #8
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50 amp upgrade

I am already using the 20 amp circuit for a large TV. My research says 30 amp is about 3500 watts 50 amp is about 12,500 watts.
I don't mind spending the money if I can have everything work at once. Newer motorhomes are almost all 50 amp. I realize not all campgrounds have 50 amp but most are upgrading. I am going to use my RV about 4-5 months a year for a few years
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Old 07-09-2018, 07:13 PM   #9
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....cut..... As far as if it is necessary I am tired of just running 1 AC unit and having to turn it off to use the microwave.
Any other ideas are welcome and thanks again.

A family member purchased a Classic motorhome that was upgraded from 30 to 50 Amps and the work was done poorly, looking like a DIY job. It can be done, and if done at all, I suggest doing it right. In my opinion a good electrician familiar with doing this type of work will not benefit much from Thor drawings. Wiring is fairly basic and most things that matter will be replaced anyway. Not saying drawings may not help, but I doubt they are necessary. Just my 2 cents.




P.S. — Before spending a lot of money, I suggest you first spend a little time collecting data so you can make an informed decision.

I ran my A/C and microwave simultaneously with 30-Amp service all the time and didn’t have an issue. It’s possible you may have other loads in background you’re not accounting for, or perhaps your A/C is old, worn or dirty and draws more current than it should. There could be many reasons why 30 Amps isn’t enough.

It may be cheaper to replace A/C with higher efficiency unit. And if looking at a second A/C, you may want to look at newer motorhomes that run 2 smaller 11,000 BTUH A/Cs on 30-Amp service. To run microwave you’d still have to turn one of the 2 A/Cs off. There are lots of options depending on budget.
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Old 07-09-2018, 09:03 PM   #10
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On our former coach ('99 Thor/Four Winds-Infinity, the predecessor to yours) , it had 2 A/C's in a 30a service coach....but they may have only been 13k units... did a fair job of cooing.....
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Old 07-26-2018, 06:41 PM   #11
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Just had an automotive electrical shop that is supposed to be the best around Pittsburgh give me a quote on the 30amp to 50 amp upgrade with everything done right.... they have done 9 of these upgrades.... cost $1250.00 I think it is a very fair price. Now I will go from 30 amps and about 3500 watts of power to 50 amps and 12,500 watts of power
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Old 07-26-2018, 06:46 PM   #12
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For quality work: that's a VERY fair price!
Please let us know how this project ends up!
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Old 07-26-2018, 07:39 PM   #13
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I did this myself last fall. I was able to buy everything I needed, new, for just under $2,000. -Furrion shore line, Furron twist lock receptacle, PD transfer switch, PI EMS, PD4500 distribution panel and charger, circuit breakers and 8 ga UG cable and a Coleman Mach 8 heat pump with condensate pump and thermostat. Took three 6 hour days. Helps to be a retired aeronautical engineer.
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Old 07-26-2018, 08:13 PM   #14
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For quality work: that's a VERY fair price!
Please let us know how this project ends up!
Very good price indeed!
Just hope that the "internal" coach wiring is heavy enough, but all breaker boxes,transfer switches will need to be upgraded.
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Old 07-26-2018, 09:35 PM   #15
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50 rv service is 240v, not just 20 more amps, but 100amps, as there are TWO 50amp incoming lines, being split by your breaker box thru a Main double-pole 50amp breaker. Each ‘side’ receives 50amps.

I would suggest you first go a much easier route, tho...run both ACs on 30amps.. I do.
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Old 07-26-2018, 10:11 PM   #16
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but, yes, a 50amp upgrade would require a new 50amp transfer switch, a 50amp double-pole Main breaker box, and probably an additional sub-panel for the Inverter breakers, as well as the 50amp Shore cord.
As for electrical outlets, wiring to outlets, etc... nothing changes. It's all already 120v.
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Old 07-27-2018, 11:16 AM   #17
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The transfer switch and panel along all other parts are being upgraded, including a 30 ft power cord.
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Old 08-04-2018, 06:17 PM   #18
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picked up the RV today with the upgraded 50 amp service. They plugged it in at the electric shop.... turned on 2 ac units, the microwave, fridge and a tv.... what a difference well worth the $1350.00 it ended up costing me. Need to head to Florida before it cools down.
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Old 10-26-2018, 02:40 AM   #19
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Great upgrade! Wish I can get those rates in Los Angeles or even a lead to something that can do this. We will be traveling into Arizona next year in the summer and I'm already panicking.


If anyone knows of anyone out this way that can give a helping hand, i'm willing to pay or even diy. Im in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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Old 10-26-2018, 11:12 AM   #20
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Since I had mine upgraded from 30-50 it is fantastic. I can run both AC, microwave big screen TV.
Any real electrician can do it but someone with experience running the new wires thru an RV would be better. Don't go to a place like Camping World, find an automotive electrical shop. One little thing buy a Y cord on Amazon from your new 50 down to 30 & 20 then you can go anywhere.
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