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Old 02-22-2012, 11:11 AM   #1
JohnG3
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Adding a second shore power point

So last week we park in a site with a great view. Little voice in my head says check the power cord before you get too far into setting up. Good thing, the power cord is abotu 10' short of either the back of the trailer or the electrical panel depending on which end is hooked up first. So the thought comes to me. Why not put a second shorepower access near the convience center? Anyone out there with a 3485SA been in the area behind the convience center or had the power panel out?

A friend's Montana came prewired for a generator so he had the changeover switch. Checked my build sheet and it was not prewired so I guess the changeover switch is not installed.

ANyone else do this mod and if so how did it work out?
 
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Old 02-22-2012, 11:29 AM   #2
southern thunder
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I had to buy a 15 foot extension for my 50 amp cord on my other RV. It cost me $96.00. It is now in the basement of my Montana.
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Old 02-22-2012, 11:31 AM   #3
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We opted for an extension cord.
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Old 02-22-2012, 11:43 AM   #4
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So did we but with a 25' extension.
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Old 02-22-2012, 11:55 AM   #5
Weldon
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I would like to know if you can used the generator prep to plug into the 110 outlet, at a campground?
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Old 02-22-2012, 12:06 PM   #6
tanner1070
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Also went with a 50 amp extension cord.
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Old 02-22-2012, 12:13 PM   #7
mhs4771
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25' 50 Amp Extension here too
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Old 02-22-2012, 03:12 PM   #8
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X too many to count on the 25' 50amp cord. Most of the time it lays in the bottom of the storage bin for all my cords, but in situations like yours it really comes in handy and no electrical knowledge needed.
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Old 02-22-2012, 03:22 PM   #9
JohnG3
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Weldon

I would like to know if you can used the generator prep to plug into the 110 outlet, at a campground?
A friend with a 2001 Montana (30 amp service, shorecord factory attached and stored in the rear) said that his came with the generator prep option that had the magnetic switch installed behind the circuit breaker/fuse panel. He said that the wires were deadended where the generator would live if he had one. He said all he did was move those wires to the left side near the landing gear and intsall the additional 30 amp plug. When he plugs into that outlet it takes a few seconds for the system to figure out where the electricity is coming from and shut down the unused input plug (safety issue as the trailer plugs are male and could ruin someone's day of they were hot). Just like if a generator were running.

I just thought that Keystone may have re-engineered the system in the intervening 7 years.
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Old 02-23-2012, 12:29 AM   #10
RickW
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I do carry a 25' 50amp extension cord but I have also installed a 30amp connection on the right front of the trailer. The 30amp is connected to the generator pre-wire. I had to install a 50amp transfer switch. I originally installed this for use at the house (I have a 30amp connection at the house). I have found that we do use it on the road. It is convenient to use when we do not need 50amp as the 30amp cord is easier to handle.

Now I will be switching this connection out to a 50amp this spring because we are also planning on installing a 6kw Diesel genset on the truck this spring. While this connection will primarily be for the genset it will also be very useful for those times when we can use it instead of dragging out the 50amp extension cord.

If your trailer is a 50amp unit save yourself the time and put in a 50amp. Other wise I think you will have wish you did install the 50amp and be replacing the 30amp, like I am.
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Old 02-23-2012, 12:34 AM   #11
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JohnG3, I have seen it done on units. They cut a hole in the wall of the compartment and mount the plug in the basement away from the water. Most tie that into the gen prep side. Without a gen prep they have a electrician mount a small transfer switch to disconnect the power from going to the back plug. Without that, small fingers might touch the pins in the back plug and get hurt.
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Old 02-23-2012, 12:56 AM   #12
garyka
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Longer cord would be my choice,which I have.
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Old 02-23-2012, 04:00 AM   #13
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I too have been looking into putting an outlet at the front of the 5er. I am looking at it for a couple of reasons; 1. Because we also have been in situations where the GC power pedestal is at the front of the site (the site is made for the Class “A” motor home to get the view out their front window, but when your 5th-wheel parks in the site the power cord will not reach), and 2. When I use the generator I want to be able to protect them from the rain by placing them under the overhang.
I have been looking at using a generator transfer switch like the Reliance 31406CRK 6 Circuit, with a cost of $250 TO $300. If you go to they have a video on how to install the Reliance generator transfer switch. This install is in a home but I was planning on putting the switch in the front compartment so I could us my 30A cord of the front compartment. The reason I wanted to use the transfer switch is because I do not want the 50A plug at the rear of the 5er to be hot when I am using the auxiliary power outlet at the front of the unit.
But after reading all those MOC brothers that have been using a 50A extension cord it may be more time and cost effective to just go the extension cord route.
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Old 02-23-2012, 06:08 AM   #14
JohnG3
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From the start of this project I planned to make the forward connection 50 amp. I feel that two electrical inlets and 25' cord is easier in the long run than two power oords of various lengths.

As an aside, while crawling around the storage area I found that when Keystone put that white plastic/metal cover on the back of the convience center, they bent the inboard section at about a 45 degree angle, then attached it to the back wall. Made for a goofy area in the basement. Turns out that area behind the 45 degree wall is.......NOTHING! I will be removing that angle and gaining a bit more space for my fishing tackle box.
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Old 02-23-2012, 06:26 AM   #15
hunts800
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I bought a 25' extension, but in 30 amp - since it happens so rarely and can live with 30 amp most of the time. Easier to store and handle.
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Old 02-23-2012, 08:18 AM   #16
Weldon
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Thank you for the good info.
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Old 02-23-2012, 10:50 PM   #17
rollie41
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I added a power point to the basement area. I will try to attach a picture. I wanted to select from several sources so rewired everything from panel to basement. I use it more that I though I would.
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Old 02-24-2012, 12:53 AM   #18
cman
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I got a 50' 50 AMP cord
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Old 02-24-2012, 12:09 PM   #19
mazboy
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on the few occasions i've had to extend the cord i just downsize to 20amp and use an extension cord. of course i don't have 2 A/Cs going at the same time but it works fine.
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Old 02-24-2012, 01:01 PM   #20
mlh
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STUPID question. If you have 2 outlet places don't you haft to have a transfer switch to prevent someone from having a shocking experience?
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