Adding an Outlet

My wife and I own a 2008 32qbbs. We heat the unit via campground shore power. We try use two ceramic heaters front and back to make the rig cozy during the winter camping. Everytime I plug in both heaters, the circuit breaker is popping. I've noticed the fuse box has two openings left without fuses. Can I put in fuses and run a romex wire to another outlet by our rear bedroom? Will the box handle it? Anyone done this modification before?

pmayo,

You could do that, but remember that your still dealing with a total of 30A, so if you're running the HW heater element and the microwave, you might trip the 30A main breaker.

You can also add an external 20A circuit. I installed a 20A twist-lock outlet on the road side of my Cat just above the outside shower. I ran the 12-2 Romex inside to a new outlet underneath the entertainment center. When I'm camping in cold weather, I hook up a power cord to the 20A circuit that the campground provides on the shore power tower and hook the female twist-lock connector to the new outlet. That way I have an additional protected circuit that is independent of the Cat's 30A power service. I have a 1,500W oil filled electric radiator that I power off of this circuit.

There are pictures somewhere on this site of the installation.

Mike , Do you remember where you got the twist lock outlet? I 've got the same idea in mind. I found some regular straight blade type outlets that are weather proof for rv's and boats but haven't been able to find a twist lock.

I to would like to see some pics of the installation.

Mike,
I found your pictures on the old site, here they are:

[img][/img]

[img][/img]

[img][/img]

[img][/img]

BamaWildcat wrote:Mike , Do you remember where you got the twist lock outlet? I 've got the same idea in mind. I found some regular straight blade type outlets that are weather proof for rv's and boats but haven't been able to find a twist lock.

I purchased the recessed twist-lock male receptical and the female cordcap at the local electrical supply house. Just remember to specify 120V/20A and be sure to use 12-2 w/ground Romex and a 12-2 w/ground extension cord. Mine was a 30 footer and I just clipped off the molded female plug and wired in the female twist-lock. When you're cutting the hole for the old work box underneath the entertainment center be careful not to cut the Romex wire that powers the internal 15A outlet that's already there. Also, when you cut the hole in the side of the Cat, place a barrier between the PEX piping to the external shower head and the area where the hole saw will emerge.

Many thanks Tom for finding the pictures on the old site.

Thanks Tom for finding the pics and posting. Thanks Mike for the input. I got a pretty good idea now what I can use. Its really nice to have this site to share ideas and DIY's.

BamaWildcat wrote:Thanks Tom for finding the pics and posting. Thanks Mike for the input. I got a pretty good idea now what I can use. Its really nice to have this site to share ideas and DIY's.

Bamma,

Glad to help.

Mike,

I can't tell from the pics...did you tie the new 20 amp service into one of the outlets under the entertainment center? I assume the non-GFI? Is that the only outlet for the new 20 amp service?

You welcome....


I remembered where the pictures are cause I thought its a great idea, and want to do it myself.

As mentioned on another similar thread, power another outlet off of the 20 amp feed and place it near the vanity. This would be good for the DW to use her tools w/o tripping any of the other breakers.

MaxRock wrote:Mike,

I can't tell from the pics...did you tie the new 20 amp service into one of the outlets under the entertainment center? I assume the non-GFI? Is that the only outlet for the new 20 amp service?

Max,

It's the outlet on the right, and it's the only one on the circuit. Since I plug a 1,500W heater there (12.5A @ 120VAC) I don't want to tax the circuit. Sometimes the current fluctuates and you get more amps for less voltage.

Since we only use it in the winter, I suppose I could add another GFCI outlet at the vanity. I'll need to put a J-box in the basement and lead some 12-2 Romex over to the other side of the basement and up into the vanity area. I may do that this summer. That would make the DW very happy cause we're always fighting over making coffee or drying hair in the AM. I was also thinking of adding a 20A breaker in there somewhere to supplement the campground's breaker on the power pole.

The more I think of adding the second outlet, the more I like the idea. I need to add this project to my list of to-dos.

My thought would be to run the 12-2 romex to the vanity and put the outlet on the left side of the vanity, below the counter top. This would require the minimal amount of modifications to the Cat.

schrowang, thanks for the great idea!

Mike (schrowang),

I went to the hardware store and the local electric supply house looking for the outlet like you used and no one had them.

Would you happen to remember or know any part # for the outlet or a brand?

Thanks....

Tom,
I found these on Tweety's .com. The first one is a 30 amp twistlock similar to the ones in the kits where you convert your 30 amp pigtail to a removable pigtail like discussed in another post. I actually bought the kit for my 30 amp power cord but haven't installed. I believe you can buy the whole kit from tweety's cheaper than buying it all separate by the time you get a cord end and weather proof cord cover. Its kinda pricey for just an extra 20 amp outlet . But it would be top of line so to speak. The second is a 20 amp charger inlet and its not too high, its weather proof and looks really nice but its not twistlock. I think it would work just fine as far as amperage but I like the idea of twistlock. Just thought I'd share with you since I've been looking also but no luck at the local places here. By the way tweety's is the cheapest I've found any of the this but you've got to add shipping.

http://www.tweetys.com/easylockand153standardinlet30amp.aspx
http://www.tweetys.com/on-boardchargerinlet-20amp-white.aspx

I found this. It is 15 amp and not locking, but would work.

http://www.dyersonline.com/Products/Marinco-15A-Power-Inlet-White__55-8916.aspx

I sent a note to Marinco asking about the 20 amp twist lock and cover. They said they do make such a thing, its square, like the one BAMA put in for the 30 amp unit. Marinco said it would have to be special ordered from Camping-world. The part # is 205EL.OEM. I sent a note to Camping-world asking for info.

I also searched the Internet for this part #, and found only 1 hit from BURNSTINES.COM, but when I sent them a note, it was undeliverable. They do have a some, but I will call them today.

Tom,

Thanks for doing all the footwork. I'm curious to what you find out. Isn't the internet a wonderful invention!!!!

Tom, et al:

The manufacturer is Bryant. The product numbers are as follows:

3-pole/3-wire 20A-125/250V

Part No. 7327 - Male Base
Part No. 7328 - Female Receptacle (cord cap)

The bryant site is www.bryant-electric.com

You'll find the information in the Twist Lock catalog on pp 164 or 165.

Also, I bought a 90*/20A male cord cap for the other end of the 12-2 extension cord so that I can close the cover of the park's power center. If you use a standard cord cap the cover doesn't close. The purchase was at an Ace hardware store, so this should be a standard item on their shelves.

Luck .......

THANKS MIKE!!!!!!

Tom,

I can open the site...you may need to update a viewer.

Mike,

Great info...thanks!

I just called this place:
http://www.burnstines.com/

They are located down the road from Forest River in Elkhart, Indiana. They actually supply FR with all the electrical equipment for the campers.

Anyhow, they have the 20 AMP Marinco inlet for $18.40, which will match your 30 amp inlet.

The guy that I talked to, Tom, after I finished explaining to him what I want to do, said he highly recommends that we put a load panel(breaker panel) in the basement to protect the camper. Said he would suggest a 20 AMP main, then 2 15 AMP breakers for outlets.

He also said on the 12 V side, they now sell resetable 15 and 20 AMP 12V fuses. If the fuse pops, just push the reset button and off you go.

Of course, he tried to talk me into replacing my whole load center with a 50 AMP unit. He said it can be done with the new load center from Zantrex and new wiring for the 50 amp.

That would be too much for me......

Anyhow, the website is:

http://www.burnstines.com/

and the person to talk to is Elaine, her # is 1-800-776-6728.

The part # for the Marinco 20 AMP inlet is 205EL.OEM and the cost is $18.40 plus shipping.

I just called CampingWorld and they want $50.40 for the Marinco 20 Amp Inlet 205EL.OEM.

oldelmer1 wrote:I just called CampingWorld and they want $50.40 for the Marinco 20 Amp Inlet 205EL.OEM.

Wow...makes a difference when you cut out the middle man! Wait, CW wants 2.5 times the cost from the manufacturer? That's more than the middle man's cut, that's darn near highway robbery!

At my local electrical supplier, the male recessed part was $12.00 and the female cord cap was $10.00. I had the cord laying around and the 90* cord cap was $5.95 at Ace. I also had the cover laying around in my parts bin. So, for a little less than $30.00 I put this mod together.

My licensed electrician friend told me that as long as the park power pole has a 20A breaker on it there isn't a need for a panel in the Cat.

At any rate, I'm not sure that two 15A circuits wired to a 20A main is really that safe. Maybe just a 20A breaker wired into the circuit as a safety precaution.

I plan on using GFCI's for outlets so I'll be protected there as far as that goes and using 10 ga wire from the new plug to the new outlets just to be safe.The only place I worry about is if the new twistlock actually was to short for some reason. Then thats where hopefully the park power breaker would take care of things. I usually try to over do things to be safe . Thats why I prefer using a twistlock to keep the plugs tight . With a regular straight plug it could become loose over time or become unplugged a little and then there would be heat build up from a loose connection and then fire and then ...... O me lets not even think about that.....

Thanks everyone for your input.

oldelmer1 wrote:I just called CampingWorld and they want $50.40 for the Marinco 20 Amp Inlet 205EL.OEM.

What a mark up, we are in the wrong business. I might have to order one for $18.40.

schrowang wrote:
At any rate, I'm not sure that two 15A circuits wired to a 20A main is really that safe. Maybe just a 20A breaker wired into the circuit as a safety precaution.

Mike,

I think his point about the 2 - 15 AMP breakers was to put 1 outlet on each breaker. Cause in our discussion, I said I was going to add 2 outlets. I think he did say per camper code, we must have a on-board power center for all incoming electricity. I did say, well, the power post has a breaker, but he said you should have 1 in the camper, but that said, you do what you feel best.......

But I agree with you, a 20 amp breaker wired into the circuit is fine.

schrowang wrote:
Also, I bought a 90*/20A male cord cap for the other end of the 12-2 extension cord so that I can close the cover of the park's power center. If you use a standard cord cap the cover doesn't close. The purchase was at an Ace hardware store, so this should be a standard item on their shelves.

Luck .......

Hi Mike,

I went to Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Do It yourself Hardware looking for the 90*/20 amp male cord cap and couldn't find one. Electrical Supply house was closed.

I did find one that was cheap plastic, but not very water proof and would be afraid to use it outside.

Would you mind taking a picture of yours and posting it. Also is there any numbers on it?

Thanks Mike....

oldelmer1 wrote:

schrowang wrote:
Also, I bought a 90*/20A male cord cap for the other end of the 12-2 extension cord so that I can close the cover of the park's power center. If you use a standard cord cap the cover doesn't close. The purchase was at an Ace hardware store, so this should be a standard item on their shelves.

Luck .......

Hi Mike,

I went to Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Do It yourself Hardware looking for the 90*/20 amp male cord cap and couldn't find one. Electrical Supply house was closed.

I did find one that was cheap plastic, but not very water proof and would be afraid to use it outside.

Would you mind taking a picture of yours and posting it. Also is there any numbers on it?

Thanks Mike....

Tom,

I'll try and do that tomorrow. Boy has it been cold here. It just broke freezing today at 34*F with snow flurries all night and all day today. Supposed to be the same tomorrow, but I'll try.