|
06-06-2022, 11:38 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 31s
State: Florida
Posts: 54
THOR #19594
|
Conversion for 30 amp service
I am traveling to Maine and plan to spend a few weeks at parked at my sister's and we are having a discussion on what kind of power service would be available. She took some pictures of all of the receptacles nearby and one of them is for a whole house generator that was replaced a few years ago. Its a 30 amp male 4 pin inlet.
She believes that it is still live. I am not there to see how it is connected but I am assuming that it should go to a transfer switch, somewhere in the immediate vicinity of her breaker box.
So my question is this, is it possible/practical/safe to convert the generator inlet to an outlet for the RV? It seems to me that assuming she has enough load capacity that we could have a breaker installed, use the existing run and swap out the inlet for an outlet. I wouldn't take this on myself but hire a licensed electrician.
I am also looking into installing a post for this year and future use, but this is pretty close to where I am parking so I was wondering if it would work.
__________________
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 12:11 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,116
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcpandt
I am traveling to Maine and plan to spend a few weeks at parked at my sister's and we are having a discussion on what kind of power service would be available. She took some pictures of all of the receptacles nearby and one of them is for a whole house generator that was replaced a few years ago. Its a 30 amp male 4 pin inlet.
She believes that it is still live. I am not there to see how it is connected but I am assuming that it should go to a transfer switch, somewhere in the immediate vicinity of her breaker box.
So my question is this, is it possible/practical/safe to convert the generator inlet to an outlet for the RV? It seems to me that assuming she has enough load capacity that we could have a breaker installed, use the existing run and swap out the inlet for an outlet. I wouldn't take this on myself but hire a licensed electrician.
I am also looking into installing a post for this year and future use, but this is pretty close to where I am parking so I was wondering if it would work.
|
Assuming all the stars align, yes it can be done, BUT: realize that 30 amp 4 pole connector is wired for 240 volts just like the RV 50 amp connector is wired. Assuming the wire is properly sized you could put a 50 Amp receptacle on it to two 30 amp ganged breakers in the breaker box. That would give you twice the available power that a 30 amp RV receptacle would.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 12:18 AM
|
#3
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 31s
State: Florida
Posts: 54
THOR #19594
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
Assuming all the stars align, yes it can be done, BUT: realize that 30 amp 4 pole connector is wired for 240 volts just like the RV 50 amp connector is wired. Assuming the wire is properly sized you could put a 50 Amp receptacle on it to two 30 amp ganged breakers in the breaker box. That would give you twice the available power that a 30 amp RV receptacle would.
|
Excellent point. I hadn't thought of that, but I also am not sure what kind of load capacity she has.
__________________
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 01:00 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,087
THOR #16721
|
Most home electric service is 200 amp now, unless you have a fairly older home which hasn't been upgraded... been there, done that with two houses, so pays to check!
If indeed she does have 200 amp service, you should have plenty of margin for 30 amp... unless she's running a large welding shop out of her garage.
EDIT: Proper REWIRING by a QUALIFIED electrician who specifically understands the application is a MUST... 120 volts (NOT 240) capable of supplying 30 amps for an RV receptacle.
__________________
Be creative, and have a fun life...
...and don't be an @**hole! -Ken Block
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 01:35 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Fourwinds 24F
State: North Carolina
Posts: 766
THOR #9511
|
You need to know load capacity and the type of transfer switch - built into the load center or external, automatic or manual, interlock to prevent backfeed…too many variables. Plus, the generator input should not be live when the transfer switch is set for service from the pole.
I suspect with a 4 pin inlet there is a ganged 30amp breaker at the transfer switch for 60amp service from the generator - if it was actually a whole house generator. Pictures, you need pictures of the input, transfer switch and generator service breakers.
If that input is no longer used then the safest thing to do is take the existing wires and wire in new 30 or 50amp service from the load center to the appropriate 30 or 50amp RV receptacle.
__________________
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 01:53 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
|
I agree with Jimbo12 that a properly wired whole house generator receptacle cannot supply power to your coach. An electrician can rewire the ATC or manual switch to provide power. It is definitely a job for an electrician but not too time consuming.
__________________
Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 02:46 AM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,116
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo12
You need to know load capacity and the type of transfer switch - built into the load center or external, automatic or manual, interlock to prevent backfeed…too many variables. Plus, the generator input should not be live when the transfer switch is set for service from the pole.
I suspect with a 4 pin inlet there is a ganged 30amp breaker at the transfer switch for 60amp service from the generator - if it was actually a whole house generator. Pictures, you need pictures of the input, transfer switch and generator service breakers.
If that input is no longer used then the safest thing to do is take the existing wires and wire in new 30 or 50amp service from the load center to the appropriate 30 or 50amp RV receptacle.
|
The service is named at the highest available voltage so it would be 30 amp service at 240 VAC (not 60 amp service).
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 02:52 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Fourwinds 24F
State: North Carolina
Posts: 766
THOR #9511
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
The service is named at the highest available voltage so it would be 30 amp service at 240 VAC (not 60 amp service).
|
Yup - I need to proof read my replies better.
__________________
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 07:29 PM
|
#9
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E. 30.1
State: Florida
Posts: 15
THOR #21412
|
likely that if this is indeed a generator INPUT then the breaker at the main or sub panel probably has an interlock so the male plug is 'cold' unless being used to supply power.
__________________
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 07:41 PM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,116
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mytimeyet
likely that if this is indeed a generator INPUT then the breaker at the main or sub panel probably has an interlock so the male plug is 'cold' unless being used to supply power.
|
That's one reason why it has to be re-wired on both ends.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
|
|
|
06-07-2022, 10:07 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,672
THOR #11781
|
This is not a question that can be answered by anyone on this forum. You need to have a qualified electrician look at the situation. Everyone here is just pondering a possibility.
__________________
Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
|
|
|
06-11-2022, 09:29 PM
|
#12
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 32R
State: South Carolina
Posts: 67
THOR #17209
|
30 amp conversion at your sister's house
Be extremely careful about your 4 wire generator system. It is designed for 240 VAC for a home system. Your RV is set up with 3 wires because it's a 120 VAC system! An electrician can disconnect one of the hot wires and bypass the transfer switch and install a 30 amp plug for your rig. Do NOT try to plug your 120 volt system into a 240 volt system unless you have LOTS of money that you are willing to part with to repair everything that becomes toast.
__________________
|
|
|
06-11-2022, 09:50 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 29m
State: North Carolina
Posts: 521
THOR #9553
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcpandt
I am traveling to Maine and plan to spend a few weeks at parked at my sister's and we are having a discussion on what kind of power service would be available. She took some pictures of all of the receptacles nearby and one of them is for a whole house generator that was replaced a few years ago. Its a 30 amp male 4 pin inlet.
She believes that it is still live. I am not there to see how it is connected but I am assuming that it should go to a transfer switch, somewhere in the immediate vicinity of her breaker box.
So my question is this, is it possible/practical/safe to convert the generator inlet to an outlet for the RV? It seems to me that assuming she has enough load capacity that we could have a breaker installed, use the existing run and swap out the inlet for an outlet. I wouldn't take this on myself but hire a licensed electrician.
I am also looking into installing a post for this year and future use, but this is pretty close to where I am parking so I was wondering if it would work.
|
Not sure why you need 30 amps in your coach for a visit at a home??? Having all that expense and using a contractor to provide power seems like a lot. If it were me, I'd use a 15 or 20 amp circuit to plug into and use an adaptor to my 30 amp power cable and manage my amp usage. Even the AC should work fine if you don't run the water heater, coffee pot, hairdryer and other high amperage devices---But that's just me!!! Hope it works out for you; Bob Trice
__________________
|
|
|
06-11-2022, 10:17 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
Posts: 5,584
THOR #13058
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by knucklehead
Not sure why you need 30 amps in your coach for a visit at a home??? Having all that expense and using a contractor to provide power seems like a lot. If it were me, I'd use a 15 or 20 amp circuit to plug into and use an adaptor to my 30 amp power cable and manage my amp usage. Even the AC should work fine if you don't run the water heater, coffee pot, hairdryer and other high amperage devices---But that's just me!!! Hope it works out for you; Bob Trice
|
OP says...
I am also looking into installing a post for this year and future use, but this is pretty close to where I am parking so I was wondering if it would work.
In addition on this trip he expects to spend a few weeks. He is not home but Sister's house. OP should buy at least a new 30 amp service for his Sister , heck he is parking for free; but if it is me, I don't understand why not pay the extra $100 to have 50 amp, 30 amp and 20 amp service available on same box. Having one of these at home has been one of my best investments. There have been times, when I had 2 RVs on on 30 amps and the other on 50 amps at the same time.
I would NOT fool with the the existing wired possible transfer switch?
But I agree with you a simple 20amp to 30 amp dog bone is all he needs, he just need to manually manage the loads and using heavy duty extension cords. Yes a 12 gauged cord is recommended, but I use a 14/3 running AC & Fridge with no issues. Normally I will switch the fridge to propane. If I need 2 ACs I turn on the generator.
__________________
2019 Sunstar 29ve; Toad Lincoln Navigator; RVi Brake 3 & Command Center; Roadmaster Nighthawk Tow bar & Baseplate; Sumo Springs; Safe T Plus; Onan EC-30 AGS; Vmax 250ah AGM; T-Mobile Internet; H/W Heater / Chassis Disconnect Switches; Southwire Surge Guard 44270 & 34951 w/Monitor 40301; Jet Flo Macerator; Alpine SPE500 Speakers; Visio M21D-H8R
|
|
|
06-14-2022, 09:22 AM
|
#15
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31W
State: Rhode Island
Posts: 89
THOR #19146
|
I'm not trying to be fresh or snarky, but if your knowledge about electricity and wiring issues is limited enough that you have to ask questions of this nature on this forum then I recommend hiring an expert. In this area of expertise, a little knowledge is a dangerous -- and potentially deadly -- thing.
__________________
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
|
|
|
06-14-2022, 11:33 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Traveller A27
State: North Carolina
Posts: 2,407
THOR #17765
|
I second what was said by Thisoldman!
__________________
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|