Forward shore power hookup

[illapah]

I would like to get an additional shorepower hookup installed in the forward area of our Montana. I want to retain the existing rear connection for when needed. HELP!!

[illapah]

Had to clarify my post. I am tired of lugging the heavy 50 amp cord with the extension attached to reach the park pedistals that always seem to be mid or froward of my rig when parked. I would like the option of forward or rear hookup.

[Mudchief]

If you add one please put in a transfer box to switch between the front and back. If you don't and little fingers lift the plug up on the back and touch those contacts they will get zapped.

[HamRad]

Illapah,
Someone here on the MOC did exactly what you're wanting to do. But with my CRS I cannot tell you who it was. Perhaps they'll be along soon to let us know about what they did.

Good idea. Let us know when and if you end up doing such a project.

HamRad

[exav8tr]

bncinwv did that. You must have changed your original post as he was trying to answer your question about a forward AC. You might PM him. Don't know when he will be back on here.

[illapah]

Mudchief, I certainly didn't think of that.

[Carl n Susan]

I know Nailbendeer has installed a front receptacle and, I think I saw in an earlier post today, that Jackle1959 has just done the same. They should be along to assist in a bit.

[bncinwv]

Here is what I did in our battery compartment:
Power Protection and Front Outlet
One thing of note, in order for my generator to work with the EMS I had to jump neutral to ground inside of the Iota smartswitch. Hope this helps,
Bingo

On edit: If you are just looking at a front shore power hookup, the jumper would not be required.

[nailbender]

I have a shore power inlet on the front of ours and use it more than the back one, very convenient to have the two options. As Mudchief pointed out, it is important to have a transfer switch. You will need a 50 amp transfer switch, a 50 amp Marinco inlet, and #6 wire. I located the transfer switch in the basement behind the electrical panel, just find a area with enough room to work. Here is a description of how the transfer switch works and is wired. http://www.iotaengineering.com/pplib/50rman.pdf

[illapah]

Nailbender, I already have the transfer switch i think. I am prewired for generator although I don't have one installed.

Am I half way there?

[ole dude]

Or you can run the new power cord to the main power box in the trailer and tie it in to a new and additional 50amp breaker. Just turn off the breaker you are not using or just turn on the breaker to the plug you are using. I speak of the 50 amp main breaker in the trailer.

[nailbender]

If you have the generator prep, you are pre wired and have the metal compartment for the generator. If you are prewired, you only have the wires. If you already have a transfer switch, it will either be in the front basement area (by the battery) or in the basement behind the removable panels and will probably be the Iota brand

The generator perwire is #10 wire, orange color. The #10 is for 30amp which is OK if you don't need a lot of power. I use a 30 amp cord unless we are using the electric fireplace, a portable electric heater, and coffeepot or hair dryer at the same time, them I need the 50 amp cord.

[bncinwv]

On our 07 model, the gen prep came with the auto-transfer switch. I think that changed with the 08 models (and possibly late 07 models). Ours is a large box (Iota Smartswitch) that was in the battery compartment mounted on the back wall behind the battery and to the left of the slide hydraulics, I don't know the location on a RK model however. If you have the smartswitch, the installation is really simple. The hardest part is drilling the hole!!!
Bingo

[illapah]

I have the gen prep and all the boxes. I have one behind the 2nd battery and one alongside the battery with 2 pushbuttons, that must be reset switches and some sort of switch in the closet. So, do I still have to worry about a second ac port and someone getting zapped if on shore power?

[bncinwv]

If you look at the album I posted previously, all you have to do is disconnect the generator side inside of the Iota Smartswitch box (make sure no power is connected to the rear receptacle first of course). I used this generator side of the smartswitch (I discarded the blue box with the switches) for the front receptacle. For the alternate shorepower input connect the wires as on the other side (front feed) of the switch and wire it to a Marinco-type receptacle that is first inserted into the cut hole (hole saw works nicely - the receptacle will have a template). I put the recaptacle to the right of the battery bay door. The material there is thin so I had to also provide the switch with a backer plate. My installation was done inside of the propane compartment. This type of installation will result in the switch automatically sensing whether shore power is coming in from the front or the rear and will not energize the leg that is not in use. The advantage of this installation is if you still want to have a hard wired EMS or surge suppressor, it can be put on the output side of the switch so that it will work regardless of the origin of the shorepower feed. Hope this helps and good luck if you decide to go this route. The pictures I posted show the wired Smartswitch which should mirror your installation (without the Autoformer and EMS installation).
Bingo

[nailbender]

Sorry Illapah, I don't have any of that and don't know anything about it. You could install the second power inlet and when done, and test the rear inlet to see if is hot. If you already have the transfer switch, you should be good.