Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Additions & Improvements
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-12-2015, 05:19 PM   #1
ckb
Established Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Washington
Posts: 17
M.O.C. #14579
Adding a 50 amp male plug on the drivers side

I would like to add a 50 amp plug on drivers side of my Montana Mountaineer 5th wheel. What type of breaker do you add to turn off the back plug when using the side plug?

Has anybody added a extra plug?

Just tired of hauling that big cord
 
ckb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2015, 05:59 PM   #2
DmaxDually
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New Port Richey
Posts: 438
M.O.C. #14092
No I haven't but I did add an extra water connection on the back next to my power plug so both my hook up are in the same place. So now I don't have to open my inconveniece center and snake the hose thru the bottom and connect it..
__________________
2012 Silverado 3500HD|4x4|Crew Cab|long bed|Dually
2012 Montana 3750FL
DmaxDually is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 01:29 AM   #3
bncinwv
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
On one of our previous rigs (2007 3400RL), I added an additional 50 amp receptacle to the front of the rig so we could travel with our generator (in pickup bed at that time) hooked up. My recommendation is to forgo any kind of isolation breaker and instead go with an automatic transfer switch. They are reasonably priced and would be the safest installation. The rig came equipped with the automatic transfer switch since it had the full generator prep installed.
Bingo
__________________

Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
bncinwv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 01:50 AM   #4
NCFischers
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,369
M.O.C. #8728
Send a message via Yahoo to NCFischers
If you want to put an additional 50 amp inlet on your rig, then I agree with Bingo and install an automatic transfer switch. Since I installed the additional inlet, I've used it about 60% of the time in campgrounds. If you are even the least bit unsure about doing this, get professional help. Electricity is a dangerous thing to experiment with.
NCFischers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 03:05 AM   #5
Tom S.
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
I wish to emphasize what Jim said. Get someone qualified to do the job.
Tom S. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 03:24 AM   #6
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
I always put a receptacle on the front of my campers. You can stop and use your generator or have it running while you are traveling.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 03:53 AM   #7
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
For use when traveling a good solar system will also work
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 03:59 AM   #8
bncinwv
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DQDick

For use when traveling a good solar system will also work
Within it's limitations, we travel with the air conditioners on. I have yet to see a solar system that will fit on a fifth-wheel that would allow that!
Bingo
bncinwv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 09:36 AM   #9
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
True, but we never travel with the AC on, with two full sized AC units it cools down in just a couple of minutes, and when we're parked where we pay for electricity we can run almost everything else on solar and just run the AC from the shore power.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2015, 07:15 PM   #10
Nighthawk
Seasoned Camper
 
Nighthawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 68
M.O.C. #10340
Early last year before our 100 day trip across Canada and northern US, I installed a 50AMP receptacle just behind the convenience centre on the outside (of course) because my power cord would sometimes not reach the plug at the back of the trailer from the campground service. I cannot figure out why Keystone (and others) puts the power receptacle at the rear of the trailer. We have a 2007 3400RL. I used this receptacle 75% of the time (rear only 25%) this past summer and it works great.

I agree with previous replies that you should use a transfer switch so you don't have power to the unused receptacle.
__________________
2018 Denali 3500 SRW
2007 3400RL
Nighthawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2015, 01:09 AM   #11
trlrboy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: rockwall
Posts: 335
M.O.C. #7697
Why would you need a transfer switch? Does it matter if there is an unused receptacle?
trlrboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2015, 02:07 AM   #12
Ozz
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by trlrboy

Why would you need a transfer switch? Does it matter if there is an unused receptacle?
Good morning, in this instance the transfer switch would open contacts on a contactor that would cut power to the unused rear factory power supply input. The power input has male contacts protruding from the connector. If you energized the trailer supply line, it would feed these protruding contact points. It probably would never happen, but someone could touch these energized contacts or blades and get shocked, or possibly electrocuted.
The transfer switch has another contactor that has normally open contacts that close, providing current to flow from the new outlet/inlet?
2 contactors one normally open, one normally closed, controlled by a small circuit board with an electronic circuit board.
Pretty slick.
I hope that was not to confusing.
Ozz
Ozz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2015, 12:29 PM   #13
WaltBennett
Montana Master
 
WaltBennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hanover
Posts: 1,471
M.O.C. #13325
Geez, Ozz - you take all the fun & adventure out of stuff!
__________________
WaltBennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2015, 03:47 PM   #14
Ozz
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WaltBennett

Geez, Ozz - you take all the fun & adventure out of stuff!
Ozz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2015, 06:04 PM   #15
Trailer Trash 2
Montana Master
 
Trailer Trash 2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Fe Springs
Posts: 4,189
M.O.C. #639
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by trlrboy

Why would you need a transfer switch? Does it matter if there is an unused receptacle?
a little kid could stick there finger in it and get a shock of there life.
__________________
Pulling a 2004, 2980 RL an oldie but goodie.
Tow vehicle is a 2009 RED RAM 3500 DRW.
Trailer Trash 2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2015, 01:38 AM   #16
NCFischers
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,369
M.O.C. #8728
Send a message via Yahoo to NCFischers
An you would be liable.
NCFischers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2015, 03:27 AM   #17
trlrboy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: rockwall
Posts: 335
M.O.C. #7697
Thanks Oz for the explanation.
trlrboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2015, 03:35 AM   #18
Ozz
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
You bet buddy.
Ozz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2015, 05:47 AM   #19
Tom S.
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Trailer Trash 2

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by trlrboy

Why would you need a transfer switch? Does it matter if there is an unused receptacle?
a little kid could stick there finger in it and get a shock of there life.
Hey - kids gotta learn about electricity somehow!


Tom S. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2015, 10:25 AM   #20
Art-n-Marge
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
Send a message via MSN to Art-n-Marge Send a message via Yahoo to Art-n-Marge
Yup, it's an automatic transfer switch that's required for this. It guarantees that only the one source will allow a live electric feed into a rig. I don't even want to imagine the electrical problems if this is not in place.

I'm no electrician so I don't have any experience with this, but every qualified electrician I know has mentioned this requirement for this type of application. I had this done on another trailer and yup, an automatic transfer switch was installed, too. There are manual transfer switches but the cost versus remembering to use it, well, just go with the automatic and it's one less thing to remember for keeping things safe.
Art-n-Marge is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Adding another incoming power plug jetenbu General Discussions about our Montanas 10 11-27-2011 03:54 AM
Drivers side Slides creep out. all 3 of them kjwright Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help 5 07-26-2011 11:24 AM
Water Leak in rear, drivers side oldelmer1 General Discussions about our Montanas 9 05-07-2011 07:22 AM
My scare light on the drivers side doesn't work. Alwims Repairs & Service 8 12-19-2010 04:43 PM
Help, 50 Amp Male Plug Replacement Question jaleepadgett Repairs & Service 5 06-09-2009 03:09 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:55 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.