Upgrade 30 amp to 50 amp service

[Kazoo Tom]

Can anyone tell me what it would take to upgrade my existing 30 amp service to 50 amp service. Obviously I would need a new cord (cable) for the service, and I suspect a new breaker panel and converter. What else would be involved?

[Kazoo Tom]

Can anyone tell me what it would take to upgrade my existing 30 amp service to 50 amp service. Obviously I would need a new cord (cable) for the service, and I suspect a new breaker panel and converter. What else would be involved?

[Jim]

tom..do a search on "50 amp conversion" and get some past posts..they are pretty comprehensive..jim

[Fix it Dave]

I just went through the process of reverse engineering the 120 volt electrical system on my 2005 Winne Adventurer. It came with 30 Amp power. 30 Amp power works well most of the time, but falls short on hot days when my wife is cooking up a storm. An electric frying pan and the microwave kill AC number 2 (AC 2). I am sure most of you have figured this out. This is a pain on hot days.

There is no easy way to convert directly to 50 Amp power cable. The reason is, that the Aux. set of contacts in the auto generator switch are used to switch the neutral and hot for AC2.

I did come up with a way to add a second 20 Amp aux. power cord that will supply just AC 2. I have a diagram that will install a 20 Amp aux cord and DPDT switch to the auto power switch box. The new switch enables and disables the aux power cord. When enabled the 20 Amp power cord can be plugged into the 20 Amp outlet on the RV park power post along with the 30 Amp plug. When disabled all power is as it was from the factory. When enabled this switch gives 20 extra amps of power for the power managment to system to use. This comes out to about 2400 watts.
Electric fry pan 1200 watts
Microwave 1500 watts
This project was just completed and tested yesterday. My wife will stress test it this weekend. If there is interest in the diagram of the "Parallax Automatic RV Line / Generator Transfer Switch" and my addition to the box perhaps I can post it to the WEB site.

Ok I see the updates and have looked at Bob Hatch's solution which is excellent and well done. If your are going to do the entire 50 Amp conversion what he did is exactly the way to go.

What I did is similiar to what Bob talks about that is posted on the Wolfwords site
http://www.wolfswords.com/motorhome/50_amp.html
Materials required for my change are:
25 foot 12 gauge extension cord about $22.00
Double Pole Double Throw switch from Home Depot $7.00.
Right now I am looking for a site to post the pictures of what I did on. I am also known in some circles as Captian Cheap.

[DonavonP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Fix it Dave:
If there is interest in the diagram of the "Parallax Automatic RV Line / Generator Transfer Switch" and my addition to the box perhaps I can post it to the WEB site. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Absolutely Dave. Even though I have a 50amp service, I'd like to know how this is done. Please post - (pictures help this feeble brain too). Thank you in advance!!!

[KCE]

Thanks Dave I would like to see it as well.

[Izzyblueye]

DITTO and thanks in advance.

[Tom N]

Download the wiring diagram for your coach from Winnebago's website. The diagram will show both the 30 anp and 50 amp diagrams.

-Tom

[Bob Hatch]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kazoo Tom:
Can anyone tell me what it would take to upgrade my existing 30 amp service to 50 amp service. Obviously I would need a new cord (cable) for the service, and I suspect a new breaker panel and converter. What else would be involved? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Here it is:
http://www.bobhatch.com/electricStuff/30to50amp.htm

My rig is a 1999, and had a 30/50 amp ATS, and 120/240 volt main already installed. If yours has a 30 amp ATS you will have to replace that, and if yours has a 120 volt main, that will require replacement as well.

Your ATS is most likely a Todd, and Todd is no longer in business, so if you need to replace you will have to go with a different brand ATS.

The converter will not require replacement, but if it's the original I would change it over to a Progressive Dynamics with Charge Wizard.

If you need clarification on any of the steps I took, let me know.

[Kazoo Tom]

Thank you all for your replies. Bob Hatch, I do not have an ATS in my unit. I need to plug in to the generator output to use the generator. Clearly that outlet would need to be replaced too. What I don't understand, I can run both A/C units when the generator is on, but only occasionally can I run both from 30 amp park power. I am using the same plug to access the generator as I do the park power. Could it be that the park is not supplying a full 30 amps? I frequently use a 50-30 dogbone and can use both A/C's more often, but not always. Generally the only other appliance being used is the TV. I will download your information, thanks again.

[Jim]

i already have the 50 amp ats and main circuit board ...does this mean all i have to do is replace the 30 amp shore power cord..thanks..jim

[Bob Hatch]

Tom, the reason you can "easily" run both AC's on generator is that the generator has 2 breakers. One controls the coach power, and one is a dedicated feed to the second AC. This of course assumes that the generator was a factory install.

[Bob Hatch]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jim:
i already have the 50 amp ats and main circuit board ...does this mean all i have to do is replace the 30 amp shore power cord..thanks..jim </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it means nothing like that. What it means is that you will have to rewire the ATS, redo the breakers in the main breaker box, replace the 10/2 wire that runs from the ATS to the main breaker with 6/3 wire, get new breakers for the generator, and reset the jumpers on the Power Management System.

Seriously, if you don't have a really good working knowledge of electricity and electrical wiring, don't even try this. You could do major damage to yourself and your MH.

[Kazoo Tom]

Bob, there are some campgrounds that I have no trouble using both A/C units when connected to their 30 amp feed, others I can't. Anyway, it sounds like I would be better off simply buying a 50 amp service surrounded by a newer motorhome!