Electrical Question

[Chip]

If I want to install my surge protector and auto former in the front compartment:

1. What size wire to run. No 6?

2. When splicing into the Line to make the run to the front compartment. What is the best way to connect this heavy wire. Use wire nuts in an electrical box or is there a better way. Of course I have to make the run back and connect to the wire going to the breaker box.

Thanks,

[dieselguy]

I can't answer some of your questions, but I can tell you what I did. As for wire size ... use the same size you currently have ... no smaller. Not wanting to add another 20' of wire to my power cord, I put my Autoformer just inside the storage compartment against the rear storage wall. My breaker box / converter is right by the entry door to your right. There was plenty of extra power cord laying behind the storage wall, I cut it appropriately and installed a 50 amp male end to the half of the power cord coming from the rear of the unit running the pigtail thru the storage compartment wall. The half of the original power cord going to the breaker box, I installed a 50 amp female receptacle in a wall box right on the storage compartment rear wall. I sat the Autoformer in-between the two connectors on the storage compartment floor. The male pigtail end plugs into the Autoformer, the Autoformer pigtail plugs into the female wall receptacle. If I want to run a generator, I can unplug the Autoformer and plug the male end coming from the rear of the camper right into the female end going to the breaker box. You'll find if you intend to run a generator, an Autoformer doesn't like to be in the circuit. At least my Kipor generator didn't co-operate with my 50 amp Autoformer. I use a regular house surge protector that mounts in my entry closet hard wired into my breaker box, so I can't help you there.

[Chip]

I do not have extra power cord. I bet all the campers get the same length cord for ease of production so the shorter units have extra cord.

One option is to use plugs, adding wire to go to the front compartment and again to the breaker box.

Using plugs within the front compartment for attaching surge protector and auto former I wonder if to many plugs may create a problem at some point with the connections.

[NCFischers]

You probably do have extra cord. It's just folded and hard to move. Running to the front compartment should be fine as the extra wire for that short distance will have no significant voltage drop. Using plugs and outlets is a good option. Splicing the wires in a box using unitaps (Burndy is one manufacturer) is a good and easy way to go also. Electrical supply houses have these.

[Tom S.]

There is extra cord in the trailer, but no where near enough for what you plan. Before you make up your mind, go price some 6/3. I'm guessing about $1.50 a foot. It's not cheap! As Jim said, put your splices in a junction box with unitaps (you can't get wire nuts for this big of wire, and even if you could, you'd have to hire King Kong to twist them!). Unitaps aren't cheap either. With the extra plug, wire, and taps, I'm thinking you're going to be spending an extra $150 - $200 before your done. Don't forget, you'll also need extra two wire phone cord for the remote reader if you plan on getting it.

[1retired06]

Helped install a neighbors; instructions included with the Progressive unit were very specific and easy to understand. Hopefully you got good install instructions with yours?