| Author |
Message |
Wayne Buttress (Flyingb) (66.52.189.74)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 4:53 pm: | |
Howdy guys,
Most RV parks have either 30amp or 50amp hookups. Are these 110v or 220v recepticles? I am using a 50amp pigtail to the distribution panel and was wondering if it gets connected as 220v or 110v? |
Dwight (67.213.8.48)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 5:25 pm: | |
30 amp is 110 volt and the 50 amp is 220 volt
if you used a 220 volt panel in the coach you are ok but if you used a 110 volt panel in the coach you can only use the 30 amp plug (pigtail)
note (pigtail) 50 amp has 4 wires and the 30 amp has 3 wires |
Wayne Buttress (Flyingb) (66.52.189.74)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 6:25 pm: | |
Dwight,
If your rig is set up for 30amp power and you plug into a 50amp service using an adaptor 50-30, would you have problems because the 30amp is 110v and the 50amp is 220v. If I remember right, I've used a 50amp service with a 30amp pigtail.
Sorry for being so dense, but I'm starting to do my electrical setup and need to do it right. |
GeorgeMyers (12.85.14.150)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 7:26 pm: | |
The normal way to use the 240-volt 50-amp service is as two separate 120-volt 50-amp sources. A standard Home Depot circuit breaker box will give you this set up.
George Myers
PS. I must add this. Remember to isolate (insulate) the neutral wires and add another terminal strip for the safety grounds. This additional strip is a standard item and the box should have holes already drilled for the screws to hold it in. |
Scott Whitney (66.214.66.193)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 10:31 pm: | |
What is the difference between the terms 'Main Lug' and 'Main Breaker' in context with load centers? I am looking at the HomeDepot.com site at possible options for main breaker boxes:
Home > Online Store > Electrical > Panels-Load Centers > Indoor Panels > ?
I am thinking I'd like about 15-20 circuits and 50 amp service, but I don't see any listed as 50 amp. . . Any recommendations?
Also are there any brands to avoid or do all breakers fit all load centers? I don't want to buy a load center and get stuck into some funky & expensive breaker style.
Thx.
Scott |
Dwight (67.213.8.198)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 10:31 pm: | |
Wayne, when you use that adapter from 50 to 30 it only uses one leg, 1/2 of the 240 volt curcuit...
Do you understand what George is talking about ??? not tying the ground and neutral together in the bus panel??? this is very important!!! |
jmaxwell (66.42.92.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 11:12 pm: | |
Scott: "Lug" refers to the physical connection of the wire at the "Breaker" or buss bar to which the breaker attaches. This is in reference to the main wiring feeding the panel box. Load centers have matching breakers, generally by manufacturer, and are not generally interchangeable with other manufacturers equipment. I would avoid Square D and Zinsco(formerly Sylvania) purely on the basis of price. GE breakers seem to currently be the most economical and GE also makes what I consider to be the best variety of panel boxes. Different people could argue quality all day but fact is they all must meet the same standards. I question the need for 15-20 circuit breakers, given that even w/50 amp serv. your average load per circuit would be 5-7.5 amps. It is common to combine loads on certain circuits; most of them for that matter. |
Scott Whitney (66.214.66.193)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 11:47 pm: | |
Hi Jmaxwell,
Thx for the info. I guess I am still a bit confused on terminology. Why are the load centers broken down into two categories 'Lug' and 'Breaker'? In other words, which type would I want?
You are right. 15-20 circuits may be overkill. Guess I am just trying to not get stuck with something that needs changing later. I can count about seven I'd like off hand. So maybe 10 would be ample for future expansion if needed.
Oh, and do all load centers have a provsion for isolating neutral or is this a special feature that one must look for when buying?
Thx.
Scott |
doug woodin (207.69.114.63)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 11:49 pm: | |
I recently finished the electrical panels and wiring in my Eagle with the help from all the great people on this board.Thanks to all for your help. I used GE panels from Home-Depot, and thinline breakers. {These have two breakers built into one plug in unit. Available in 15 and 20 amp}.I used these in the light duty sub-panel.
I put all "heavy loads" into a MAIN panel{what ever is too big for the inverter}Roof airs, elect water heater, dehumidifier,space heaters, and the 30 amp -single pole breaker to the inverter.From the inverter,30 amps of power go to the SUB-panel.In this panel is all the small amp loads.things like refrig,lights,TV,computer,Etc.When set up this way, only light duty items work when on inverter.{ Battery power}When on Gen. or shore power, everything works.
Coach is wired for 50 amp service.Everything works as it should. THANKS GUYS. |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.117)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 4:55 am: | |
A LUG box means that the supply input is connected to a set of lugs that feed the strips that the breakers sit on & get power from.
These are used as a supplemental box , the power is turned off to the box elsewhwre.
A Breaker box uses a the top doubble circuit breaker to FEED the rest of the box.
These can be used to turn the power in the box off , except for the juice feeding the first doubble (for 240) breakers.
House style breaker boxes are legal , in an RV , but are huge and plumb ugly , sort of like living in a basement apartment.
If you use them , stick them out of sight.
FAST FRED
FAST FRED |
Donald Schwanke (67.210.119.106)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 7:27 am: | |
I too was "circuit happy" as Scott is now. I think I have 20 circuits, maybe more than my house! I took a larger box and cut it down for smaller size, in order to get the breakers. I am very happy I done it this way, gives me total control of the system, and cost at the time of doing it was negligible.
Of course with a 220v clothes dryer, washing machine, dish washer, electric water heater, all 110v lighting, etc, etc, I guess I really need more than most. |
Wayne Buttress (Flyingb) (66.52.189.79)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 3:36 pm: | |
Howdy Guys,
Thanks for the input on the 50amp or 30amp questions. I think I can now proceed with the A/C side of things.
I stopped in Elkhart, Ind. on my way across the country, and while there, purchased a "Magnetek" contol center for R.V. use. This is a 50A main panel for the A/C side with a fuse block on the D/C side. It takes T&B breakers which I haven't seen before. If I can find a supplier for the breakers I'll use this panel, if not, I get one from H.D.
Any help in finding the breakers?
Thanks again, Wayne |
R.C.Bishop (128.123.88.16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 8:00 pm: | |
I must say that I feel like a complete idiot about the electrical side of bus conversion. I have had quite a bit of experience, over 30 years or so, in residential wiring, from start up to renovation. I am now in the middle of a complete re-wire of a two story project and feel very "comfortable" with what I am doing and have done over the years. That said, I am not an electrician.
BUT.......I am totally lost and confused about what is not only desirable, but acceptable in wiring one's bus. I read and have read all of the posts I can find on the subject, and while I am positive there is a lot of GREAT information supplied, with a lot of thought put into it, there seem to be so many answers and suggestions, it gets really confusing ( bear with me, please, God isn't finished with me yet!)
Is there a book written, a set of schematics, possible diagrams, suggestions, etc for a system (s) that might be considered useful under different circumstances? I think it is the 12 volt and the inverter stuff, how they interact with alternators, solar systems, generators and shore power (if any) that hangs me up!
HELP!!!!..P L E A S E ! ( sorry 'bout that) :~)
Thanx,
RCB |
John Biundo (Jbiundo) (64.175.37.67)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 8:11 pm: | |
Richard,
Here's what I have in my library:
1) George Myers' "Designing Electrical Layouts"
2) RV Electrical Systems by Moeller
3) Wiring 12 Volts for Ample Power by Smead & Isihara
4) Living on 12 Volts with AMple Power by Smead & Isihara
5) Managing 12 Volts by Barre
I believe these are the "classics" for bus conversion electrical systems.
Also, there are numerous interesting downloads on the Ample Power site, and at the Inverter sites (see especially the Trace Inverter SW Series manuals).
Also, a variety of interesting and useful little papers by people like Phred Tinseth and Jock Fugitt, among others. I can try to find those if you can't.
Good luck, and be safe!
John |
GeorgeMyers (12.85.1.78)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 8:57 pm: | |
Scott,
The input wire in a "Main Lug" box connect to the lugs on the main distribution bus. In a Main Breaker" it connects in through a built in circuit breaker.
I have never seen a box with a 50-amp main breaker and more than two slots for the distribution.
Each source of power, regardless of the voltage, should have a breaker AT THE SOURCE. For the shore line that is where it enters the coach. (The code says within 18 inches)
The code requires a UL approved breaker box, which HD etc are.
George Myers |
R.C. Bishop (128.123.88.42)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 10:39 pm: | |
Thanx for the input John. I thought Ian had said something about George Myers offering a book, but haven't located where to purchase it. Maybe he will come up with some info on one of his posts.....then again.....maybe I@n will cut in and let us know. Thought it was on the home page, but don't find it. Maybe just overlooking it.
Will check out the others as well. Thanx again.
RCB |
John Biundo (Jbiundo) (64.175.37.67)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 12:33 am: | |
RCB -
Yes, there is a link on the home page.
It takes you to http://www.coach-builder.com/
where you can find all of George's publications.
HTH,
John |
R.C.Bishop (128.123.88.12)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 7:40 pm: | |
Thanx again, John, went there and that is it!. I had seen it long ago, but recently just did not go far enough into the site to get all the nitty gritty about the book.
Don't know why I feel so incompetent about the electrical systems, but hope this is what I am looking for. I need to sit and study things sometimes, and that is hard to do with the posts. Get to thinking about what this fellow says and t what somebody else said and there in comes the confusion, possibly. Never the less this is a GREAT board and I have gained a lot from it.
Thanx.
RCB |
|