| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 170 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 70.240.148.37 Rating: N/A |
I'd like to have a 120VAC receptacle in the front bay of my MC9 where my house, coach and genset batteries live - So that I can easily plug in stand alone battery chargers occasionally when needed. All of these batt banks are regularly charged through normal bus circuits, but there is the occasional need to plug them into a charger. So, the receptacle would be a convenience so I don't have to run an extension cord from inside the coach. The receptacle would only be hot on 30A or 50A shore power. I would not be running it off the inverter. This bay is also home for the Aqua Hot and aux. diesel tank for the AH and genset. Since my main house panel is up in the coach, would it be best to run a long line from that panel to the receptacle or could I simply tap onto the 120Vac output side of my transfer switch and use a shorter length of cable? OR, would I need to install a sub-panel w/ breakers etc. somewhere in the bay just for this one receptacle? OR is this a bad idea? I'm probably missing other possibilities, so please feel free to suggest. Regards | ||
| Derrick Thomas (Thomasinnv)
Registered Member Username: Thomasinnv Post Number: 24 Registered: 10-2010 Posted From: 67.142.130.34  Rating: N/A |
at the very least, you should have an appropriate sized breaker for the type of outlet and size of wire you plan to run. Don't just "tap" into the transfer switch, your only protection for the outlet would then be the main pedestal breaker, either the 30 or 50 what ever you are plugged into. Not a good idea. | ||
| Brian Evans (Bevans6)
Registered Member Username: Bevans6 Post Number: 59 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 65.92.52.198 Rating: N/A |
Do it right, run a line from your main panel or install a secondary panel that is fed AFTER your main breaker. Don't just tap from the transfer switch. I use GFCI outlets at the start of the run, to protect any downstream outlets as well. You can use GFCI breakers in the panel as well. Brian | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 171 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 69.149.222.17 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for everyones input. I ran a new circuit from the house panel - not that difficult. GFCI installed and working. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1354 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.11.3  Rating: |
I thought GFCIs were not supposed to be used on bus systems?? | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 666 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 184.0.13.120  Rating: |
Why not in buses? They're used on yachts. They break the circuit if the power going out on the black is different from what comes back on the white. (And visa versa for those who will point out that it's AC.) If some current is diverted to ground or to the bus frame, the GFCI trips. Heck, they put them on extension cords these days. |
