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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: I'm not an Electrician..but...pros and cons
    Posted: 03 Dec 2014 at 11:21pm
Like many others, I would like to install a 30amp RV service plug here at the house so I can have the benefit of blowing the A/C while I am modding here in South Texas during the 100+ summer.

The question: What is the, if any, preference for the tap point on the house: 1) the feeder at the "utility in" located outside using a double pole breaker(because it full), or 2) tapping at the service panel inside the garage?

I'm just wondering what the normal go to is in this situation, if there is one. 

And as always, I really do appreciate folks taking time to respond. 
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 90 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 12:20am
Can you post pics of the 2 locations in question and distances from the pod plug?  I'd say closest to the pod is best, but you need space for the breaker.  Do you have a load center at the utility feed?  Are you talking a sub panel in the garage? Fed from a breaker?
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 6:55am
Originally posted by JStrube

Can you post pics of the 2 locations in question and distances from the pod plug?  I'd say closest to the pod is best, but you need space for the breaker.  Do you have a load center at the utility feed?  Are you talking a sub panel in the garage? Fed from a breaker?

Sure, I can post some pictures this weekend.

The "utility in" is on the side of the garage near the front, close to the driveway. The house breaker panel is on the back wall of the garage, so with the POD parked in the driveway, the run  should be no more then 30', either way. 

There is no open space at the "utility feed" however, I think a double pole 30amp thin breaker could be used to replace one of the existing full size breakers, so I can tap in for the POD.

I have additional space available in the garage "House Panel" but I'll have to check with a pro on how to setup 30 amp service at that point. 

I have done a fair share of electrical wiring, but have never messed with anything a the panel level. I do have a load center at the utility feed and a distribution panel in the garage. At this juncture, I'm trying to figure out if it would be best to tap at the "utility in" or at the house panel inside the garage.

Not sure there is and advantage with one, over the other.
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 9:46am
It sounds like the distances are about equal and relatively short so either point should work. Adding a dual breaker to your "utility in" box should work if you can find one with one 30A side and the other side equal to the existing one you will be replacing. If you're replacing a single 30A with a dual 30A you're good to go. Just make sure you can shut off that panel while working on it.

The house panel in the garage might work providing it has sufficient service to it. You don't say what is already in it. Does it support 240V for water heater or dryer or A/C? If so it will probably have at least 30A available. You don't need 240V for the Pod, but 30A capacity in house installations usually comes with 240V panels. If only for garage outlets it might not. If the panel will support 30A you simply add a single 30A breaker and hook it up.

Either way you should wire with #10 AWG two conductor plus ground (10 W/G) and use type UF if it will be exposed to sunlight or buried. Use a good outdoor rated box and RV type socket.
Charlie
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 10:03am
Originally posted by CharlieM

The house panel in the garage might work providing it has sufficient service to it. You don't say what is already in it. Does it support 240V for water heater or dryer or A/C? 

Very good question, I think this is what it comes down to right here. Thank you very much for the clarity. I will start to investigate what exactly is available at the garage panel vs the feed outside. It very well could be that the 240v (30amp) service originates outside leaving only 15 amp circuits for distribution in the garage. 

Understanding how utility ins and sub panels are set up is new territory for me, I appreciate your input.    
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 11:00am
Clif,

If it were me I'd be looking at the garage panel as a first choice. It's unlikely the only 15A service is wired to that panel. You'll have to determine how that panel is fed from the main entry panel. It's probably fed through a lower powered dual 240V breaker somewhere. Even of the garage panel is populated with only 15A breakers that subpanel has to support current in several of them simultaneously. It won't support all the 15A breakers fully loaded, but it will handle more than one. If the main feed to that subpanel is 40+ amps or so you can just add a 30A line for the Pod.
Charlie
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 2:56pm
First, you may not need the 30 amp outlet.  If you are plugging in close-by to a 15 amp outlet you can run the A/C, just don't run any of the other "big" appliances at the same time.  Mine used about 1000 watts which is well within the limits of a 15 amp circuit.
 
If you still want the 30 amp outlet, inside the garage by the panel is the easiest and cheapest since it is close and you don't need a weather-proof box.  A standard single-gang box and $10 30 amp outlet, a few feet of 10 amp wire and you are set.  Yes a double 30-amp breaker will work there, just be sure you are only tapping ONE of those legs for the pod!  I did this same thing at my house.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 3:10pm
Your garage sub panel is probobly a 220 volt panel you can tell at the pannel if you look at the wire coming in from your main panel if you see 4 wires (Red Black White and plain copper) it is 220. It should be connected to a double pole breaker in your main house panel so if you can find this breaker in youir main house pannel you can find out how many amps you have at the sub pannel in the garage. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2014 at 4:05pm
The easiest would be right at the panel, the pod is only a 120v appliance. There are no 240v circuits in this coach! They make a 30 amp single pole breaker for most manufactures, so you you only need one open space. If there is no room, purchase a breaker that fits two single pole circuits in one space and add your Pod circuit in the space you created. Also make sure you know the difference between your taps, Hot vs Neutral, especially when wiring your outlet and/or if your making up a shorter/longer cord. 
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2014 at 10:18pm
Originally posted by JStrube

Can you post pics of the 2 locations in question and distances from the pod plug?  I'd say closest to the pod is best, but you need space for the breaker.  Do you have a load center at the utility feed?  Are you talking a sub panel in the garage? Fed from a breaker?

The pics...

Outside...All 220v appliance feeds. There one 70amp breaker marked (main/sub panel) 

Inside (sub-panel in the Garage) 120v feeds, light, plugs, etc...

Question: How do I identify the correct breaker, I looked at everything within the panel and on the breakers and it's not clear to me what type I need. Am I stuck with pulling one out and taking it to the parts house to match it up?

Thanks, 
Cliff & Raelynn
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