Second Shore Power Connection

[TomCat]

Hi Folks - love the forum and your abundant knowledge! I have a 2017 305RL and am in the process of installing an inverter system with Lithium batteries. Not going solar initially - want to see how much we boondock first. I intend to charge the system with shore power or a small generator for now. To that end, I am considering adding a second shore power receptacle somewhere near the front. Since I will be mounting my inverter and associated hardware inside the front storage area where the battery is now, I thought somewhere on the face of that storage area, maybe above the access doors, might be a good place. The other thing I thought of was a cord that stores in the hitch cavity when not in use. Thoughts?

[jetskier]

The initial thought I have is make sure you install an ATS so the two inputs are isolated for safety.

[BB_TX]

You would need to also add a power transfer switch to prevent the male contacts on the front receptacle from being HOT when you supply power to rear receptacle, and vice versa. Otherwise it would be a dangerous situation.

Oops. Jetskier beat me to it.

[TomCat]

Thanks both. Absolutely - I didn't mention it, but I will be using an ATS. Still debating if I want a full 50A receptacle/cabling, or go with a 30A. Can't think of a reason I would ever connect a generator capable of providing 50A, and can't think of a need to plug 50A shore power in front, but I get stuck sometimes thinking I don't want to limit my options.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by TomCat

Thanks both. Absolutely - I didn't mention it, but I will be using an ATS. Still debating if I want a full 50A receptacle/cabling, or go with a 30A. Can't think of a reason I would ever connect a generator capable of providing 50A, and can't think of a need to plug 50A shore power in front, but I get stuck sometimes thinking I don't want to limit my options.

When I rewired the 2000W inverter that came with the solar/inverter package, I installed a 50A ATS in place of the 20A single pole switch Keystone installed for the 3 outlets in the trailer. I tied the single 120V hot out of the inverter to both hots on that input so both buses on the main panel have 120V even though it wasn't remotely capable of more than 2000W. I also have the 5500W Onan. Power comes in from the regular shore power and generator to the first 50A ATS, the outputs feed the second 50A ATS and the inverter output before feeding the main panel.

In summary, you need a 50A ATS since one set of inputs is 50A rated.

[TomCat]

Thanks! Sounds similar to what my setup will be. I will have the Victron 3000VA inverter/charger with the AM Solar smart ATS. Definitely going to use a 50A ATS to front it. I was just debating if I should go with a 30A receptacle/wiring for the generator.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by TomCat

Thanks! Sounds similar to what my setup will be. I will have the Victron 3000VA inverter/charger with the AM Solar smart ATS. Definitely going to use a 50A ATS to front it. I was just debating if I should go with a 30A receptacle/wiring for the generator.

30A would be fine for the input. Just split the hot at the ATS input and it should be fine up to 30A loading.

[PNW Fireguy]

I am installing a 50A input on the front of our rig as we just spent 5 months in a site where the pedestal was situated near the front half of the site. Haven’t got around to wiring the ATS yet as I have decided to change our inverter setup. Going to go with two inverters with dual inputs to simplify our 240 genset wiring. This will allow me to re-purpose the existing ATS for the SP connections rather than having to install another.

[jcurtis934]

To cat, trust you know that inverters are NOT ignition proof devices...in other words they should not be used near normal lead acid batteries. Mounting the inverter in the passthru area would be a safer environment.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by jcurtis934

To cat, trust you know that inverters are NOT ignition proof devices...in other words they should not be used near normal lead acid batteries. Mounting the inverter in the passthru area would be a safer environment.

Thanks much for the advice. I am aware of the pitfalls of lead acid batteries. Not just the fire hazard, but the corrosive effects of the gasses as well. That would certainly be a great reason NOT to install the inverter there. I'm starting with 2 100ah LiFePO4 batteries - might add more and solar later. Any other reasons you can think of to consider a different location?

[mlh]

I have a receptacle in the front of my Montana. It’s 30 amp because that is more than my 3000 watt generator will put out. I made an extension cord to plug into the camper and directly into the generator. I made a transfer switch using 2 50 amp square D breakers. Flip the leaver forward for the front receptacle and backyard for the rear receptacle. I mounted it in the convenience center because you always haft to be in the convenience center when you set up. I made my transfer switch because it will never go bad or give any trouble.
Lynwood

[NCFischers]

Installed a 50 amp inlet in the front of the RV and a transfer switch wired before my hard wired EMS and then to the circuit breaker panel

[Petmoose]

I added a transfer switch behind the basement wall and a 50 amp plug on the front between the storage doors. 50 vs 30 because I wanted to be able to plug in front or back depending on the post location plus I have 2 Honda 2000 generators mounted on the front hitch. I made a 30 amp plug to the Honda’s and then a 50 amp plug into the receptacle on a short piece of 6 wire so it is dedicated to that purpose. Works well and I like having the generators up front for the smooth ride.

[denhammkc]

Any additional outlet should be 50 amp that way you can use it for better access to the shore power pedestal or use a 30 to 50 dog bone to hook to the generator.

I added 2 additional 50 amp plugs 1 at midships on driver side with a auto transfer switch between that one and the OEM plug at the rear.
I also mounted a 50 amp in the kingpin to hook up the generator in the truck bed to the RV to use while on the road either moving or stopped in rest areas etc. I put another auto transfer switch between the kingpin plug and the transfer switch from the 2 aft plugs, from that one I go to my go-power 3000 inverter, and then inverter to main panel.

I can use all 3 plugs for either shore power or generator.

I prefer not to have to use extension cords due to power loss over distance and heat build up.
I chose the Go Power 3000 as it will feed both legs of the main panel.

[Last2Die]

I would love a step by step guide to install a transfer switch... would be nice to put one in the front. Or a video... lol

[JCulver]

I added a pigtail to my shore power input on my transfer switch. Then I added a second 50 amp connection on the side of the trailer in the basement space. put plug receptacles at the end of the back and new side receptacle near the transfer switch. This also allowed me to add my portable surge protector in line permanently and safe from the elements and theft. Now all I have to do when I show up to a park is determine where I'm plugging in and manually move the plug tho the the one I'm using at that time. This system saves another transfer switch and there is now way to have both hot at the same time. Sorry pics are sideways!