Community Forums

D-n-Tyke · 01-06-2011, 03:11 PM

I am most likely going to be picking up a 98 Discovery in the next week or two. One thing that I noticed about this coach is that it only has a 30A electrical system. I was wondering how hard would it be to convert it to 50A? I would assume that this would require a new Automatic Transfer Switch and another main line run from the ATS to the electrical panel, and then a rewire of the electrical panel, but what else would need to be done? I haven’t looked close at the gen (Onan 6.5 I believe) but it should already have two legs on it shouldn’t it? Has anyone done this conversion (30A to 50A)?

wolfwic · 01-06-2011, 04:16 PM

My advice is to leave it alone and reassess your need for your electrical demands. Messing with the system is costly and unlike a house your MH is a vehicle with its own quirks. Its relatively easy to change out the breaker box or simply put a bigger amp breaker in the existing one if the box is rated for 50 amps but do you really need it?

It would be easier to run a single additional 20 amp line from the outside hookup source to a permanent or semipermanent inside outlet. $30 and you're done without touching the MH's system components. Plus you have a spare power source if the main one goes down.

Best,
Wolf Wickham

Tha_Rooster · 01-06-2011, 04:54 PM

I would not change electrical I had a 30amp winni found wire that ran back air put in a double pole double throw switch added a power cord then I could run both airs at Same time not just one

Route 66 · 01-06-2011, 05:05 PM

There is at least one recent thread on this topic and a search will find it.

50 amp power cord
new transfer switch
#6 wire from xfer switch to the new panel

That's the big stuff.

TXiceman · 01-06-2011, 05:17 PM

It can be converted, or adapted. If you have an automatic transfer switch, it is a bit more complicated and costly.

Talk to your local area RV dealers and get quotes to get the rear A/C up and running.

Ken

wa8yxm · 01-06-2011, 06:27 PM

To answer your question: Yes it is possible.

A better question: Is it practical? The answer is "perhaps"

Things that need to be changed.. NOTE: Some are options and may not be installed.. Some (highlighted) are "mandatory"

POWER CORD,
Power inlet
Auto-former
Auto (or manual) Transfer switch
Generator (May or may not need to change)
BREAKER BOX
energery management system
Surge suppressor/power line guard/monitor
And ALL THE WIRES connecting the above items.

The breakers and the wires from the breaker box to the loads you can likely re-use.

Of course if you do not have a generator. then you don't have an ATS, if you don't have the other lower case stuff. you don't worry about it either.

mrschwarz · 01-06-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

To answer your question: Yes it is possible.

A better question: Is it practical? The answer is "perhaps"

Things that need to be changed.. NOTE: Some are options and may not be installed.. Some (highlighted) are "mandatory"

POWER CORD,
Power inlet
Auto-former
Auto (or manual) Transfer switch
Generator (May or may not need to change)
BREAKER BOX
energery management system
Surge suppressor/power line guard/monitor
And ALL THE WIRES connecting the above items.

The breakers and the wires from the breaker box to the loads you can likely re-use.

Of course if you do not have a generator. then you don't have an ATS, if you don't have the other lower case stuff. you don't worry about it either.

I did it. I needed to replace the power cord, main breakers, wires from the transfer switch to the breaker panel. I reused everything else (transfer switch, breaker panel, etc.).

There was quite a bit of rewiring required. If you're not comfortable with 220 volts wiring, you should have someone else do it.

There are a number of threads about this. A search should get them for you.

Tom-NC · 01-09-2011, 08:48 AM

HI,
My suggestion would be to leave well enough alone. If the RV came with 30 amps than leave it that way as I'm sure the RV manufacturer knows what they are doing.
I have a 2004 Winnebago and it has 30 amp which is sufficent to power everything in the RV including a heat pump. When I draw more than 30 amps then my inteligent panel cuts things off automatically.
Electrical systems are nothing to play with unless you know all there is to know about current, wire size and how the wires are run. Be careful!

Wanabee FTer · 01-09-2011, 09:07 AM

D-N-Tyke,
I had the same concern as you and found a solution I am very happy with and cost about $100.00 plus a couple hours of my time. I added a 20 amp dual power adapter and am using it right now as we speak (or type)
I tapped into my unused 20 amp circuit and powered it with a 15 amp line.
It runs my second a/c unit or in winter it runs my rear electric heater on shore power or with generator.
Here is a link to the thread with details how I installed it.

JimM68 · 01-10-2011, 10:38 PM

Fleetwood coaches of that era had a very sophisticated power management system. My pace Arrow will happily run both A/C's, all the lights, and even the microwave, all on 30 amps. The system sheds loads when you draw too much power, but it's automatic and not noticeable. Nothing ever stops, the a/c's keep the coach cool, and it never blows the campground's 30 amp breaker.