50 AMP Shore Power Cord

[prwilliams13]

Hello, I am new to this forum and am hoping someone can help me. I have a 2023 Montana High Country 381TB Fifth wheel. I am trying to add an automatic transfer switch and 50 AMP cord to run to my front bay to plug into my EcoFlow Solar Generators. When I opened up my breaker panel, I noticed my shore power line that runs to my outlet at the back of my trailer only has 3 wires (red, black and white) with no ground wire. Is this normal or does anyone know if they ran the wrong cord?

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by prwilliams13

Hello, I am new to this forum and am hoping someone can help me. I have a 2023 Montana High Country 381TB Fifth wheel. I am trying to add an automatic transfer switch and 50 AMP cord to run to my front bay to plug into my EcoFlow Solar Generators. When I opened up my breaker panel, I noticed my shore power line that runs to my outlet at the back of my trailer only has 3 wires (red, black and white) with no ground wire. Is this normal or does anyone know if they ran the wrong cord?

The jacket on the wires will have size and number of wires inside. or just pull the plug on the side of the camper to see if there is a ground wire connected. 4C means 4 conductors, 2 hots ,neutral and ground. If you don`t have a ground that would be more of Keystone`s Old World Craftsmanship." that bare wire is always getting in the way so just cut it off". Some times the ground is derated so it might say 3C 6 AWG 1C 8-or 10 AWG

[Foldbak]

Now that you mention it. Mine doesn't appear to have a ground.

[DutchmenSport]

If you have a 50 amp, you have 4 wires leading. Here's some photos I just took of my RV power cord from both ends. 2 legs of 50, neutral, and a ground.

Shore power end of the cord



Trailer end of the cord



Connection at the trailer



(IF) you truly only do have 30 wires, then yours is a 30 amp system, not 50.

[BB_TX]

The trailer frame is also ground. Is there any physical connection from the connector ground to frame?

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Now that you mention it. Mine doesn't appear to have a ground.

If there`s a fault and you're standing on wet ground or touching a metal power post you become the ground. You won`t like that. I would have this checked out by an electrician. Some brain-dead people think the white-neutral is good enough for a ground, kind of like the bonded generator plug. Or the Hot-Skin problem on travel trailers with aluminum siding. Heed the warning.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by bshgto

The jacket on the wires will have size and number of wires inside. or just pull the plug on the side of the camper to see if there is a ground wire connected. 4C means 4 conductors, 2 hots ,neutral and ground. If you don`t have a ground that would be more of Keystone`s Old World Craftsmanship." that bare wire is always getting in the way so just cut it off". Some times the ground is derated so it might say 3C 6 AWG 1C 8-or 10 AWG

This is just an example of labeling on a cable. Has nothing to do with the p[power cable that comes with a camper. Your cable that runs from the side wall plug to the electrical panel will be different in size and type.

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Now that you mention it. Mine doesn't appear to have a ground.

Not even the right type of lead in wire for that 50 amp RV mounted outlet to power center panel BUS bars

[mtheo]

Actually I know a few people including myself that use that size wire. What you end up with is basically a 30 amp 240 volt cord, more like 35amp cord, which will handle every thing in trailer. Lot easier to handle than the 50 amp anaconda.
And I know I’ll hear all about this being wrong, system can handle only weak link in cord, if you figure out how to over load it.

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by mtheo

Actually I know a few people including myself that use that size wire. What you end up with is basically a 30 amp 240 volt cord, more like 35amp cord, which will handle every thing in trailer. Lot easier to handle than the 50 amp anaconda.
And I know I’ll hear all about this being wrong, system can handle only weak link in cord, if you figure out how to over load it.

You are right, it is wrong. Wire should never be sized smaller than the circuit breaker protecting that circuit. While it is possible you would not exceed 30-35 amps on either leg, with these rigs having 3 A/Cs, washer/dryers, and all the other power hungry appliances and devices along with misc things like 1,500 watt hair dryers, curling irons, air purifiers, etc it is certainly possible, and even likely, at some point someone will.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Not even the right type of lead in wire for that 50 amp RV mounted outlet to power center panel BUS bars

That wire goes directly to the transfer switch. It's Romex from the TS to the panel.

[prndl]

Originally Posted by prwilliams13

Hello, I am new to this forum and am hoping someone can help me. I have a 2023 Montana High Country 381TB Fifth wheel. I am trying to add an automatic transfer switch and 50 AMP cord to run to my front bay to plug into my EcoFlow Solar Generators. When I opened up my breaker panel, I noticed my shore power line that runs to my outlet at the back of my trailer only has 3 wires (red, black and white) with no ground wire. Is this normal or does anyone know if they ran the wrong cord?

Can you take a picture of the wires going into the converter/panel?
I installed a transfer switch along with a new 50AMP connector in the front of my Montana and I used four wire cable. There was a four wire cable from the original rear connector also. ALL the grounds were landed in the converter compartment.