upgrade from 30a to 50a

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   I am looking to upgrade my electrical panel from 30a to 50a.  any suggestions, warnings etc?  It appears that I can use the same converter.  I have been thinking about it without being able to do the research in my 5er, my trailer is 500 miles away for the winter.

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MNSparky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Location: Red Wing, MN Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote MNSparky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: upgrade from 30a to 50a Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 12:25pm
	I am looking to upgrade my electrical panel from 30a to 50a. any suggestions, warnings etc? It appears that I can use the same converter. I have been thinking about it without being able to do the research in my 5er, my trailer is 500 miles away for the winter.
	2011 Silverado 2500HD Diesel 2008 cruiser CF31MK

dalemac377 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Location: Bradley, Il Status: Offline Points: 1101	Post Options Post Reply Quote dalemac377 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 12:33pm
	I believe you will need a complete new panel. Converter should be ok if it is not built into existing panel.
	Dale & Carol 2007 F-250 2010 CF30SK Patriot 2007 CF30SK

artgpo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 746	Post Options Post Reply Quote artgpo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 2:53pm
	I remember sitting in on a live online video session with Gary Bunzer, "The RV Doctor" where the same question was asked. His response was that it is just not practical or cost effective to try and go from 30 to 50 amp. It seems as though much of the major wiring has to be redone as well as a new converter, etc.
	Art and Karen 2013 Itasca Sunstar 35F

NH Horseman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 17 Oct 2011 Location: Hollis, NH Status: Offline Points: 203	Post Options Post Reply Quote NH Horseman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 4:59pm
	I would not attempt to switch from 30 to 50. What you need to do is split ALL your wiring into two separate circuits. Then, you feed one half from half the 50A and the other half from the other side. Not sure what you hope to gain. I can see some adantages but not sure it's worth the effort. You are better off putting in another outside receptacle to feed from the campground box with 20A and then have ONE outlet inside fed from that so you can use it for one heavier draw appliance taking the load off your 30A circuit. It would be bringing in to feeds, one for 30A that feeds the whole electrical system and then a separate 20A circuit for a heater, coffee pot, etc.
	Jim.B - - NH State Rep - - ZT25SB Zinger (2010 GMC 1500)

Dayle1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Location: Spicewood, Tx Status: Offline Points: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dayle1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 6:14pm
	Changing from 30A to 50A is not as big of a problem as many people claim. Provided you have room behind or very near the existing panel for another small breaker box. Cost is also minimal except a 50A shore power cord is not cheap. Excluding the power cord, cost is under $20 for the breaker box plus cost of the actual breakers. I converted our '04 Cruiser several yrs ago. GE makes a small 6 or 8 slot panel, good for 200A. Two slots are taken by the dual 50A main. One slot with a single 30A breaker feeds the original panel which is now a sub-panel. Then it is a matter of deciding which circuits to move into the other remaining slots. Generally there is enough slack wire in each of the circuits, that if the new main can be located near the existing panel, it is a simple matter to unscrew them from the panel and move them to the new panel. As I recall, I moved three circuits, one on the same phase as the 30A feed to the old panel and two onto the opposite phase. One plus with this change, I was able to move the convertor onto it's own breaker in the old panel rather than having it share a breaker with another circuit. I do agree that running a separate 20A circuit is cheaper (because of the cost of the 50A power cord) and may be easier. But 20A + 30A is only 50A, which is only 1/2 the total power of a true 50A setup. So it depends on your real needs and talents. Edited by Dayle1 - 16 Jan 2012 at 6:16pm
	Larry Day Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01 03 GMC 2500HD D/A , custom hitch & RKI bed 11 Cruiser CF32MK

ThreePutt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Seasonal Camper Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Location: Flushing MI Status: Offline Points: 262	Post Options Post Reply Quote ThreePutt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 6:39pm
	I did what Horseman said I also wired a plug to the microwave which is on its own circuit. I can run a electric heater, coffee pot and electric grill all at the same time. Have been doing this since 05 with no problem.
	Larry & Karen '05 28CK '03 Silverado 8.1 Allison Trans

Chrisnan23 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Location: KS Status: Offline Points: 3356	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chrisnan23 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2012 at 7:28pm
	I would only caution this. Most of the wiring in the RV is #14 wire wich is really rated for 15amps continuios so you can cause excessive heat in the wire itself inside the outlets and walls. Just something to think about.
	Chris and Nan Nelson Molly the wild child Niya the half pint beagle 29RK we love 2006 F250SD with Triton V10

cruzr4-2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Location: Ridgefield, Wa. Status: Offline Points: 162	Post Options Post Reply Quote cruzr4-2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 12:21am
	I'll just say that Sparky is a good name to be doing the mod you are talking about. LOL Dennis
	Dennis & Sharon 2005 F250 Power Stroke Crew Cab 2006 Cruiser CF29RE

cwit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1899	Post Options Post Reply Quote cwit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 7:23am
	I did this mod 4 years ago because my wife likes to cook on electric and we like to heat with it instead of the furnace. As stated easy change over if you direct hook into a sub panel.


mdunlop Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 06 Nov 2011 Location: appleton Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote mdunlop Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 2012 at 1:57am
	Chris, That's not true about the #14 wire. Any #14 that is feeding a load is protected by a 15 amp circuit breaker. The wire will never see more than its rated 15 amps because the breaker will pop. If you us a 20 or 30 amp breaker to feed a specific load and you use # 14 you would be correct, it would over heat. The 50 amp service just bring in two seperate phases. It will allow more circuits so you can run more stuff before the Main 50 amp breaker pops. This is no different from your house. You probably have a 200 amp service. You have several 15 amp circuits and a few 20's. If you brought in a 300 amp service it just make the playground bigger.