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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> New power box, need help sizing wire.
Post Info TOPIC: New power box, need help sizing wire.
Lucky Mike


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New power box, need help sizing wire.
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You are about to run a 150 amp leg from a sub panel with a max of 100 feet?..........you need an electrician to look at the circuit and figure the voltage drop first and if your main is big enough to handle the sub, as soon as he is done you will know the wire size


you save no money by going around the electrician on this one.......150 amp circuit doesnt allow you to scream ouch when it takes you out or fails......life insurance cost more so does fire and liability.....none of those 3 have to pay the claim if you installed it

sorry to put it bluntly......but sometimes if you question on how to do something its best to leave it to a licensed professional.....there is a reason why he is licensed and had to be schooled to to this

 

answer to your Question if all is perfect...

 minimum#4 or #2optimum for 100 ft @ 100 amps.. (150 amps allowing for voltage loss)   this must be run at 16 ft above lowest point or buried in a dig safe waterproof conduit @ 4 + feet



-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 8th of July 2013 06:41:14 PM

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Alie and Jims Carrilite


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Go to Lowes or Home Depot. In the electrical section they have RV boxes already made up, just add your own wire. These come in 30 amp and 50 amp.
You can use #6 or #8 for a 100 foot run for 50 amp. For a 50 foot run you could use #10. A 50' roll of 10/4 outdoor/under ground wire is alot cheaper than going the 100' run. The voltage loss by using undersize wire can fry the RV electronics, Air Conditioners, and could cause a fire.

If you really need the multiple gang box with 125amp service, call an electrican.  You will probably have to upgrade your service from meter to panel box to accommodate the additional amperage.



-- Edited by Jims carrilite on Monday 8th of July 2013 07:32:38 PM

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pinetree


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I an putting a new RV outlet box off my main meter pole and need to know wire size to use for 50 ft run or for 100 ft run. the box has the 50,30 and 20 amp breakers and is listed 125 amps. thanks  Pinetree



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Terry and Jo


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I would add a "ditto" for using an electrician.  At our last house, we built a concrete pad for our (then 26-foot) camper and had a 30 amp electrical box put out close to where the power cord would be.  When we went with the current "luxury" fifth wheel, it was 50 amp, so we went to replace.  Knowing I needed to add a wire, I decided to hire it done instead of doing it myself.  I'm glad I did as I wouldn't have figured the voltage drop.

Having worked on a farm with grain elevators, I learned pretty quick that one doesn't want to take shortcuts.  My boss, who was also my father-in-law, had real difficulties with trying to "cobble" things together.  Those stories alone would be worth about an hour around the campfire.

Good luck with getting the work done.

Terry



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