50 amp outlet install? Also, Power monitoring and Surge Protection?

[ATLPanther]

So I've bought a 2024 Windsport 34R. I plan on storing it in my enclosed Pole Barn where I had run a subpanel with 60 amps of power. It supplies power to some outlets and LED lights. I had installed a 30 amp outlet in there that I had used for 6-7 years for my 30 amp 2014 FR Sunseeker that I kept always plugged into a surge protector and it worked well. I get about 118 volts at the 110 outlet in the Sunseeker so I assume the other leg in a 220V plug would carry about the same but I have not measured it.

I'm planning on replacing the 30 amp plug with a 50 amp 220V plug, running #6 wire about 20 feet to the subpanel and installing a 50 amp 220 breaker at the subpanel. Does this sound right to you electricians out there?

Another question, given all the sensitive electronics in the Windsport, I thought I probably needed something more than just a Surge Protector to plug into the campsite pedestal. Can someone give me some recommendations on what I should get?

Thanks, gang!

 

[16ACE27]

I'm planning on replacing the 30 amp plug with a 50 amp 220V plug,

I think you mean replace the 30 amp receptacle with a 50 amp 240 VAC receptacle for the RV to plug directly into.

Check your Automatic Transfer Switch - it may already have an integrated Surge/Energy Management System. Most newer RVs have that. After finding out what you actually have, then decide what you need to add to it. It may be as simple as a check to verify the wiring is correct and intact before passing the voltage through, or it may be more rigorous.

 

[dkoldman]

Given that you intend to run new wiring for a 50 amp receptacle, consider to buy a pedestal / panel that serves 50/30/20 receptacles. The flexibility is worth the extra you may pay. If it was done with the 1st RV you would already be plug and play. Also, when I installed my 50/30/20 I used a 60amp breaker. That is all that is required by code even though technically you could draw 100 amps. We have never tripped a breaker. I use 50amp service and occasionally my brother will plug in his 30amp coach at the same time.

Also, my coach has a EMS but I have the cheapo Southwire Surge Guard that I always plug into foreign pedestal 1st to confirm all is good. If so, I then plug into my 50amp shore cable that I changes the ends to allow me to plug the cable to my more expensive Southwire Portable EMS. It is always locked inside the electrical bay. So you might say it is all overkill, but then you could also say I am triple protected. I did when my coach was new, and I was a newbie. You might be surprised at how every now and then I see issues with power coming from some random panel. I either move to another spot or just use generator.

 

[PS89]

I'm planning on replacing the 30 amp plug with a 50 amp 220V plug, running #6 wire about 20 feet to the subpanel and installing a 50 amp 220 breaker at the subpanel.

Do not replace the 30A outlet. Instead, ADD the 50A outlet and make sure you do a 4-wire connection: Ground, Neutral, L1, L2. AWG 6-3 w/ground is fine for a 20' run. 50A dual breaker in the subpanel to feed it.

 

[lwmcguire]

DK nailed it, 60 amp breaker supplying RV panel is best, or receptacle if you need to save money

 

[Mark54]

So I've bought a 2024 Windsport 34R. I plan on storing it in my enclosed Pole Barn where I had run a subpanel with 60 amps of power. It supplies power to some outlets and LED lights. I had installed a 30 amp outlet in there that I had used for 6-7 years for my 30 amp 2014 FR Sunseeker that I kept always plugged into a surge protector and it worked well. I get about 118 volts at the 110 outlet in the Sunseeker so I assume the other leg in a 220V plug would carry about the same but I have not measured it.

I'm planning on replacing the 30 amp plug with a 50 amp 220V plug, running #6 wire about 20 feet to the subpanel and installing a 50 amp 220 breaker at the subpanel. Does this sound right to you electricians out there?

Another question, given all the sensitive electronics in the Windsport, I thought I probably needed something more than just a Surge Protector to plug into the campsite pedestal. Can someone give me some recommendations on what I should get?

Thanks, gang!

Yes- PS89 and DK are correct.
You'll need a new 2-pole breaker to get the 240VAC. (Each pole is 120VAC My son keeps correcting me on the actual voltages... he's licensed.)
You cannot just swap out a 30A single pole receptacle, needs to be two pole breaker and 3 wire conductor w/ grd. Red & Black hots, green ground and white neutral typically.
Arc fault breaker
Ampacity chart will tell you what wire and 6AWG should be fine. If more watts, (or longer distance) used, then go to 4AWG to be safe, but for storage of RV, 6AWG should be fine- see chart:

https://afe.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DC_wire_selection_chartlg.jpg

You can get dedicated surge protector for the panel box as well:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-...p:n/a:sleep:n/a:sleep:n/a:sleep:n/a:sleep:n/a

Plug-in unit is ok too, but nice to not have to connect that each time. I'd rather have the dedicated one for storage myself...
Hope that helps- I do a lot myself- read the code books when son was getting licensed and now he instructs apprentices.
To play it safe, have a sparky come and advise before you wire up! I pre-wire all my own, and have a licensed guy come and approve. If you live in an are with a strict building code, then cover your butt and have it approved (build permit in cities here) so the town inspector isn't in your face when/if you sell.
Be safe!

 

[dkoldman]

Plug-in unit is ok too, but nice to not have to connect that each time. I'd rather have the dedicated one for storage myself...

I agree. I basically made mine hardwired (dedicated) even though it is actually portable. My RV came with a 30' SP cord hardwired into the ATS. Every time I had to use the SP cable I had to pull the cable out and fit it in through the floor deck opening, I could tell it would be tedious over time.

So I bought a 6' SP cord that I hardwired direct into my ATS which made my 30' SP cable free to rollout and store anywhere. So as the picture shows, The 6' male end plugs into my Surge Guard and is always plugged in. When I connect to a pedestal, I bring the female end of 30' SP cord through the floor's deck plate opening and plug into the male end of Surge Guard. Really easy. I now only have to feed about a foot through deck plate versus pulling the entire cable through. I also have the advantage of easily removing the Portable Surge Guard if I wanted to test something. i.e. If things were really flaky I have the flexibility to plug it direct to foreign pedestal. Also for disclosure the one pictured is from 3- 4 years ago. Southwire sent me a brand new replacement to swap out free of charge that is actually white looking versus the orange. I had bought from Techno RV and new model had just come out. I cried like a baby and it worked The new one has Bluetooth; so I can read what it is doing or make changes with my Southwire App on my phone. I also have mounted displays for the same in the RV to read the values. This reminds me I need to go take pictures of the new one for my RV picture inventory. I got pictures of almost everything in my coach.

 

[ducksface]

Why?
What will you use when parked in storage that needs 50a service?

Of course I have the 50a pedastals(two at different pads with 15a 30a 50a at each along with a third 15a and 30a)...but the 50's they are unneeded except when an rv is occupied and needs ac.
I believe if you're digging a ditch...fill it with the stuff of why not and maybe...so i put in ALL I could. If this is your school of thought...carry on.

I understand mods for mod sake.
But, in the long run, and for those who might not want to do this but now think they should...

Why?

 

[ATLPanther]

Thanks for all the responses. The best suggestion was to go ahead and get the 20-30-50 amp panel that's already prewired. It was only $70. I went ahead and bought 30' of 6/3 MC cable for $160 and a 60 amp 240 Breaker for $20 so I should be good to go.

I have to look again at the Transfer Switch. The build sheet indicates it a Southwire Model 40141 that provides reverse polarity and open ground protection. Assuming that's what's in the Windsport (Its not with me now so I need to wait to check). Is there something else I should get to protect all the electronics?

Thanks again!

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Some thoughts...
We're fortunate to have our motorhome parked in back of the house in it's own drive. The only shore power available is a 20 amp outlet in my nearby lawn storage shed. The rooftop solar keeps the batteries topped off with no need of plugging in.

When prepping for a trip, I plug the RV into the 20 amp outlet the night before, then turn on the inverter and refrigerator to cool. The next day when loading the RV, if it's really hot, in order to run the motorhome A/C I must start the generator... no soft start on the A/C.
I've considered upping the 20 amp outlet to a 30 amp, but the trenching and nearly 100' of heavier gauge wire wouldn't be worth the effort for what little use it gets.

 

[ghnl]

I can run the A/C in our ACE on a 15 amp circuit - as long as we don't also run the Microwave Oven or switch on the 120V water heater. It has no trouble keeping the batteries fully charged.

 

[Mark54]

Thanks for all the responses. The best suggestion was to go ahead and get the 20-30-50 amp panel that's already prewired. It was only $70. I went ahead and bought 30' of 6/3 MC cable for $160 and a 60 amp 240 Breaker for $20 so I should be good to go.

I have to look again at the Transfer Switch. The build sheet indicates it a Southwire Model 40141 that provides reverse polarity and open ground protection. Assuming that's what's in the Windsport (Its not with me now so I need to wait to check). Is there something else I should get to protect all the electronics?

Thanks again!

That Xfer switch does not offer surge protection, so I suggest always using a plug-in or the one I suggested earlier- best wishes and be safe! (i.e. have all power of to new box until all connected, and double check your work- or have an electrician check it for you) Be sure connections are nice and tight too...

 

[dkoldman]

Thanks for all the responses. The best suggestion was to go ahead and get the 20-30-50 amp panel that's already prewired. It was only $70. I went ahead and bought 30' of 6/3 MC cable for $160 and a 60 amp 240 Breaker for $20 so I should be good to go.

I have to look again at the Transfer Switch. The build sheet indicates it a Southwire Model 40141 that provides reverse polarity and open ground protection. Assuming that's what's in the Windsport (Its not with me now so I need to wait to check). Is there something else I should get to protect all the electronics?

Thanks again!

That is great price on that panel, if you care to share I would love to have it. I may wish to add to my Mother's house. I took a picture of my Surge Protector. My ATS is the 5 year old 40100, but again I have protection in front of it, and then again the basic Surge Protector on the Pedestal. Note: I bought the basic surge guard first, and then later wanted the advanced Surge Protector thus I have two. I am not suggesting for you to buy two. But, I would have one like pictured below regardless of type of ATS you have. Getting a hardwired model makes sense too. I just like the ease that I can remove or disconnect if situation warrants.

 

[ATLPanther]

Here's the link to the 20-30-50 panel I bought from Amazon

Amazon.com

 

[Chrismpita]

So I've bought a 2024 Windsport 34R. I plan on storing it in my enclosed Pole Barn where I had run a subpanel with 60 amps of power. It supplies power to some outlets and LED lights. I had installed a 30 amp outlet in there that I had used for 6-7 years for my 30 amp 2014 FR Sunseeker that I kept always plugged into a surge protector and it worked well. I get about 118 volts at the 110 outlet in the Sunseeker so I assume the other leg in a 220V plug would carry about the same but I have not measured it.

I'm planning on replacing the 30 amp plug with a 50 amp 220V plug, running #6 wire about 20 feet to the subpanel and installing a 50 amp 220 breaker at the subpanel. Does this sound right to you electricians out there?

Another question, given all the sensitive electronics in the Windsport, I thought I probably needed something more than just a Surge Protector to plug into the campsite pedestal. Can someone give me some recommendations on what I should get?

Thanks, gang!

I have a 2023 Windsport 34R. I had a 50 amp breaker installed in my panel and ran the wire to the other side of the garage over the garage door. I installed the outlet on the outside of the garage. It works great and have not had any issues