Outdoor 30A Receptacle

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rich000

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I just bought a new travel trailer. It uses a 30A plug to plug into the campground.

I would like to plug it in at home to precool the fridge before a trip and test the air conditioner, etc. I would like to avoid running a 30A circuit across the house and cut up drywall in a finished basement. I have seen a device that uses an outdoor enclosure with a 30A breaker installed as well as a 30A outlet.

My idea would be to tap at the meter and install this device at the meter and run the cord to this outlet.

Are there any special rules I have to worry about?

Thanks.
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

I agree with Charlie.
Do you have a meter main with an available breaker slot?
If not how would you propose to do it?

If you are considering what you propose, why not just come from the panel inside, pop outside near the meter and run conduit along the house the trailer rectacle?
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Go to wallmart and buy a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter ul listed :D Only about $8.00 unless they have rolled that one back too :D
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Allen makes a good point. The dedicated circuit is definitely the best way to go but the adapter will work fine under light load. I have also seen them melted down due to overload.

One other thing, please go to an RV/outdoor store to get one. walmart (doesn't deserve caps) is truly evil and will be the downfall of America. Price is not the only consideration people.
OK, rant over.
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Charlie would a post in the ground be a separate structure? If so he could use 230.40 Exception 3 to run from the meter to a disconnect on this post and mount his RV receptacle under it.? Of course the meter lugs would have to be rated for two wires. :D
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Wayne, you are correct but it would have to be the call of the AHJ. If there were an outbuilding, it would be black and white. By the way, there is a two wire lug that is listed to meter fittings but I forget who makes it. I think it is Milbank. :D
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Thanks for the posts. Meter was only a single lug. I bit the bullet and cut up the wall and ran a dedicated 30A circuit. Camping World had a nice NEMA 3R enclosure with the 30A plug in it. Now all I need is my RV and I can camp in the driveway!
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Rich:
Camping World had a nice NEMA 3R enclosure with the 30A plug in it.
Around here it is the only place I can get these (Camp Land) as our local supply don't even carry them? :( Leviton does list them in there book, but I can't find them in the P&S book?
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

We use P & S and i think thier products are junk,the trade master brand is the cheapest thing i have ever seen, but I am not the purchasing agent the owner is so i guess I have to deal with the junk we are dealt,rather have leviton brand but we buy what is cheapest even if they create call backs ;)
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Originally posted by allenwayne:
rather have leviton brand but we buy what is cheapest even if they create call backs ;)
Allen, we must be living on different planets. I find the Leviton to be junk, and P&S and Cooper to be far better.

Could it be that the problem is with the "installers" using a screw gun and stripping out screws? What are the specific problems you are having with P&S?
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

The back stabs are well thier own thread ;) Have had problems with them.They also have a load problem.They arc in a dark room when there are multiple recessed cans in the circuit ;) Do you want the whole list or just the top 10 :eek:
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Originally posted by peter d:
I've never had a problem with P&S. I don't "back stab."

But then again, you do wire 2500 homes a year, and install a lot of 6/2 for what they "might" install, so I'll just take your word for it. :( I wish I could go back to the days of bending pipe and do it with pride.But here it is push push push !!!Slab to finals in 100 days is the average :eek:
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Allen
I can see how labor is such a problem. Who is watching all of the "unskilled" labor that is mounting boxes and pulling wire? Who does the actual splicing? Who is watching them?
How many men are performing the different parts of the installation?
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

Jim i can see that that figure is bonifide :D Would I buy one of these homes NO !! Right now I am building a home as a home owner permit that is actually under the old NON afci code ;) Drywall is done HVAC this weekend,plumbing and electric by end of month finals by may ;) I told the electrical inspector that even though the permit was pre AFCI requirements that I would afci the bedrooms anyuway ;) A 4 year house guess i am not a builder but I built a 3,500 ft home for 35,000.00 that`s $10.00/ sq ft. :cool:
 
Re: Outdoor 30A Receptacle

i know about the push push method in florida having lived in both orlando and pensacola however i cant stand seeing receps backstabbed how much longer does it take to wrap your wire aroun a screw im always afraid of wire backing out only recep ill backstab is a gfci and i hate doing that also dont like quickconnects on fixtures give me some good ol wirenuts
 
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