50 amp breaker

[fishdoc]

Who has installed a 50 amp breaker and outlet at your home or garage?
How much? How difficult was it? and How's it working?
Thanks,
frank

[znt1186]

Had one put in for about $1500. It did involve a lot of trenching and covering, but it works fine. Just don't use a GFI breaker. Had to change mine because the rv tripped it when I came in off the road and plugged in. Standard breaker works fine.

[HerbZilla]

About $100 in materials. The black cable on the left of the breaker box is what runs to the outlet on the outside of the garage. Use it all the time when I have the mh at the house.


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[Tha_Rooster]

Free leftover wire and breaker luckily the panel was on the other side of the wall. It's really ample if you have some electrical knowledge. I think it's a must when you come home from a trip you can run everything while unloading and cleaning up.

[Rsponsford]

I had one installed by an electrician. Even though I could have done it myself I wanted to make sure it was to code. It cost me less than $300 and has been extremely convenient.


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[Mr_D]

For an RV you need a double breaker, 50 amps for each leg. I only need a 30 since our rig is just stored next to the stick house and 3,600 watts is enough for that.

[slemnah]

I installed it, purchased a 50a breaker and installed it inter box, ran my wires and ground to my plug in the correct sequence and it works great

[JumboJet]

I previously had installed a 30. Bought a motor home that had 50 AMP service. Replaced wire, single pole 30 amp breaker with double pole 50 amp breaker, and the outlet in the RV box. Used the old wire to pull the new wire through the conduit.

I have been wiring my own things for 40+ years and worked in a maintenance shop for a few years back in the 70's.

[vsheetz]

Several years ago I installed a 30a breaker and outlet, with wire that could handle 50a to make it easier should I ever want to upgrade.

First two motorhomes were 30a, found I usually just have 15a cord plugged in for battery charge and lighting. Now have 50a Motorhome, still don't use the 30a very often - only when air conditioning is needed and the 30a will still do the job.

So doubt if I will ever upgrade/install 50a breaker and outlet.

YMMV.

[Wobster]

I had mine professionally installed, total cost inclusive of materials was about $800. I have a 30 amp one on y other building dating back to when I had trailers but there isn't a good place to put the class A next to that building. That one was also professionally installed but it was only about $300 as it is right behind the breaker box.

[gemini5362]

OK for your folks that are advising others to do it themselves let me add more advice.

1. If you are in the city limits it is illegal and if you get caught there is a fine. A lot of counties and states also have laws about doing electrical wiring without a master electricians license. The local government just has to make one phone call to the utility company and you will not have a meter until you pay a master electrician to come in and redo your work.

2. If it is not illegal where you live ask your friendly home owners insurance agent if there is a house fire and it started from the 50 amp service you wired in will the insurance cover it. Unless you have a master electrician license they probably will not cover it.

3. I do not have a master electricians license. However I worked in the Navy as an Electronic technician on high power equipment with our own seperate 50kw generators. I worked in a steel mill as an electrician and helped work on our substation that was bigger than a lot of small towns have feeding them. I do not do my own house wiring because of 1 and 2 above.

[John Jones]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

For an RV you need a double breaker, 50 amps for each leg. I only need a 30 since our rig is just stored next to the stick house and 3,600 watts is enough for that.

Thats what I needed too. I used the 50 amp plug for convienence so I wouldn't have to install a pig tail, but I installed a double 30 amp breaker.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by John Jones

Thats what I needed too. I used the 50 amp plug for convienence so I wouldn't have to install a pig tail, but I installed a double 30 amp breaker.

When we bought our stick house we had them change out the electric stove for a gas unit. The double 30 amp breakers are still in the box so I could "re purpose" them. Would have to do a little wiring since the range still needs 120 for the controls and microwave above it.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

OK for your folks that are advising others to do it themselves let me add more advice.

1. If you are in the city limits it is illegal and if you get caught there is a fine. A lot of counties and states also have laws about doing electrical wiring without a master electricians license. The local government just has to make one phone call to the utility company and you will not have a meter until you pay a master electrician to come in and redo your work.

2. If it is not illegal where you live ask your friendly home owners insurance agent if there is a house fire and it started from the 50 amp service you wired in will the insurance cover it. Unless you have a master electrician license they probably will not cover it.

3. I do not have a master electricians license. However I worked in the Navy as an Electronic technician on high power equipment with our own seperate 50kw generators. I worked in a steel mill as an electrician and helped work on our substation that was bigger than a lot of small towns have feeding them. I do not do my own house wiring because of 1 and 2 above.

In our area the home owner can pretty much do any wiring they want as long as it's AFTER the lead from the power company.