Additional 50 AMP Receptacle

[ChiefJohn]

My Excel's front compartment is generator prepped, including the necessary wiring harness. My question? I would like to add another 50 AMP receptacle to the front of the coach to plug my truck mounted generator into versus running extension cords from the rear of the coach to the truck. Thoughts? Doable by an above average shade-tree mechanic but not so smart electrician?

I understand I would have to be extremely cautious and ensure I was not connected to two sources of power.

[ChiefJohn]

My Excel's front compartment is generator prepped, including the necessary wiring harness. My question? I would like to add another 50 AMP receptacle to the front of the coach to plug my truck mounted generator into versus running extension cords from the rear of the coach to the truck. Thoughts? Doable by an above average shade-tree mechanic but not so smart electrician?

I understand I would have to be extremely cautious and ensure I was not connected to two sources of power.

[Highgturn]

John,

If you are already prepped for a generator just tie the new plug into the wires which are in the front compartment. They go straight to the transfer switch which is in the utility bay on the street side.

[redwing1]

Chief, 50a is probably a question for Jack, but 30a is for sure via the gen ready wiring. We ordered our 35TKE with a 30a recep on the Pin Box in order to cool down the rig prior to stopping in the evening, should be picking it up in about three weeks.

[d.duin]

My Mtr Home has an automatic transfer switch wired in. You can assign a primary and secondary source of power and if both are hot at the same time it will default the the primary source and when it goes dead it switches to the secondary source. They are not real expensive and I think it would be a must in this situation to protect everything on board as well as your port. gen.
Ace

[Still Working "NOT"]

John,

This can be done if you understand electricity. I would use twist-lock plugs on both ends so that the cords are locked in place. Don't want any chance a cord coming unplugged.

I did mine using a six circurt transfer switch. It use's a 20amp twist lock cord. I have no intentions of using everything at the same time. I just placed it (transfer switch) in the front compartment, cut a door in the top compartment door to run the cord through. That way I can keep the compartment locked if I want to.

Any ? PM me.

[ChiefJohn]

Thanks to all for the replies. Larry, since I don't have a transfer switch etc., I'll be going with your recommendation. I also don't need 50 AMP -- 30 AMP will suffice for emergency power.

[Highgturn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ChiefJohn:
Thanks to all for the replies. Larry, since I don't have a transfer switch etc., I'll be going with your recommendation. I also don't need 50 AMP -- 30 AMP will suffice for emergency power. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

John,

Are you sure that you don't have a transfer switch? All the wiring, vented front compartment door, 40 lbs propane bottles, propane plumbing to front compartment, transfer switch, 12v starter cables, and inside remote start switch with hour meter are included in PIs generator prep package. When I had the 5.5 KVA Onan installed at PI last Summer all they had to do was install and connect to existing wiring.

[ChiefJohn]

Bob,
I don't have all those goodies. I thought I had the generator prep package but don't. No problem, I didn't want/need all the bells and whistles. A simple set-up for emergency standby power from a portable generator will suffice. Thanks again Bob.