RV Park Pedestal Wiring

lindy · 01-06-2013, 09:35 AM

I know this really isn't an RV wiring question, but no area to put it. The church I attend is wanting to put in an imprompto camping area for members. They're looking at 8-10 sites, and asked me to help set it up. I know how to wire a single 30AMP plug for an RV, but was wonder if anyone (Herk) could provide a wiring diagram to put both a 20 and 30AMP outlet in the supply box?

Rcandvicki · 01-06-2013, 09:41 AM

Lindy,
You may go to your local lowes or Home Depot and get help from the guys in electrical.
Im in Midland Tx.and know a guy here if you can't get any help.

Mark and Linda · 01-06-2013, 09:46 AM

I am interested in this thread. Are you going to have an electrical contractor do some of the work?

Great Horned Owl · 01-06-2013, 10:11 AM

I see a few potential problems.

1. You will almost certainly need a building permit. In most jurisdictions, that means that you will need a licensed electrician to be involved with the project.

2. 10 sites x 30 amps is 300 amps. Will the church's electrical system handle that much added load?

3. There may be zoning issues that prohibit such use. If so, getting them changed may be difficult.

As for the 20 amp and 30 amp outlets, just wire for the 30 amp outlet and hook the 20 amp outlet in parallel.

Joel

**Herk7769** · 01-06-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindy

I know this really isn't an RV wiring question, but no area to put it. The church I attend is wanting to put in an imprompto camping area for members. They're looking at 8-10 sites, and asked me to help set it up. I know how to wire a single 30AMP plug for an RV, but was wonder if anyone (Herk) could provide a wiring diagram to put both a 20 and 30AMP outlet in the supply box?

You will need a full up electrician I am thinking. The reason is to determine the SERVICE to supply 10 pedestals.

If all 10 require 30 amps; then you would need a 300 AMP service to feed just the RV area. Most buildings do not have 300 amp panels; let alone a single feed of 300 amps.

This would be a many thousand dollar installation.

Wiring a single pedestal would be easy PROVIDED you will never use BOTH outlet types at the same time. You could just pigtail a 20 amp duplex off the 30 amp RV plug.

To use both types at the same time, you will need a box with its OWN circuit breakers and run dual 30 amp circuits to it with wires large enough to limit voltage drop in the run and protected with a dual 30 amp circuit breaker in the feeding panel.

Hook one to the RV 30 amp and one to the 20 amp (both through the pedestal's own circuit breakers so the 20 amp duplex leg is limited to 20 amps at the outlet.

To bring dual 50 amp services to the panels your require a main DISTRIBUTION panel with a 500 amp service and wiles capable of delivering 50 amps the length of the run. Since there will only ever be 50 amps available on each circuit leg at a time (alternating), you would not need to rate the run wires for 100 amps.

Again, if you need to ask how to do it here; you most likely should hire a professional high voltage engineer (with references) familiar with campground wiring to do the job.

**Herk7769** · 01-06-2013, 10:16 AM

I see Joel also posted.
His input is also correct and may very well be a "show stopper."

**wmtire** · 01-06-2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindy

I know this really isn't an RV wiring question, but no area to put it. The church I attend is wanting to put in an imprompto camping area for members. They're looking at 8-10 sites, and asked me to help set it up. I know how to wire a single 30AMP plug for an RV, but was wonder if anyone (Herk) could provide a wiring diagram to put both a 20 and 30AMP outlet in the supply box?

Do you already have the pedestals set up, like with boxes?

If not, you can buy the outlet boxes for rv's that are already pre-made that have the 30 amp and 20 amp outlets already installed in them (along with circuit breakers). You can buy these at Home Depot, Menards, AMazon, electrical supply houses, etc.

You then only have to run the supply/feed wires to the boxes, as they are already internally wired correct for the outlets.

You will need to make sure of the supply wire sizing to the outlet boxes, as well as what you are using to provide the electrical supply/feed to the pedestals.

I'm not sure of what kind of power you will need to supply ten sites. This is where the professionals come into play, as in an electrician (one with experience in wiring a series of pedestals) and your electricity company.

When I was adding a detached garage (with air/conditioning) beside my house, I had a guy from my power company come out first. He was able to tell me if I could tap off of my house or if I needed to run another power line into it. The good thing about this guy, all his advice and recommendations were free. IMHO, your electric company would be the first place to start.

EDIT: I see where Lou and Joel answered as I was slowly typing away. LOL

**Herk7769** · 01-06-2013, 10:26 AM

Midwest - U075CP6010, Pedestal, RV Equipment, Metering & Temporary Power, Distribution - Platt Electric Supply

As you can see, this is not a DIY project.
You may get to heaven sooner than you think.

Rcandvicki · 01-06-2013, 10:50 AM

I agree with all the above too,and hope it doesn't pop your bubble.Alot to setting this up.

lindy · 01-06-2013, 02:22 PM

Camping Area is serarate from the church bldg and will be on a supply of it's own directly off the street distribution lines. It will be for church members only for the most part. Yes I was looking at the pedestals from Midwest, but wasn't aware that they would be prewired, which solves that problem. Sort of just in the material cost factoring stage right now. Yes a licensed electrican will be on site during wiring.

WY Husker Fan · 01-06-2013, 03:33 PM

Midwest RV Power Outlets with post will work we'll. Each pedestal can be configured for phase connection of receptacles. Service will be a 200 amp service with 5 pedestals on each phase. Maximum load would then be 150 amps per phase. You will need 4 wire feeder for supply to pedestals. I am not sure of the materials and methods used in your area but if I were doing this project in my area (Wyoming) I would use 4/0 aluminum direct burial cable for phase and neutral conductors and a #4 cu equipment grounding conductor. This feeder is then looped through each pedistal. The post has the terminal blocks for in and out wiring with movable jumpers to connect the circuit breakers to the correct phase conductor. I will check on demand factors that may be able to be applied once I get to my office tomorrow. PM me with details - layout etc. and I will be glad to help with layout and material spec. I am an electrical contractor and have done a couple of small RV parks.

lindy · 01-06-2013, 07:05 PM

Thanks WY Husker Fan, I'd figure to use 2/0 4 wire alum cable to be sure and on the safe side incase of furture additions to the system.

Twisty · 01-06-2013, 09:00 PM

"It will be for church members only for the most part."
If you intend to rent spots to anyone outside the church, you need to get an attorney involved.
What if someone sets up and refuses to leave? or gets hurt? or...?

caper · 01-06-2013, 09:27 PM

I wired the 25 new sites at our local KOA. We used 3/0 alum wire. The panels do come prewired for 50/30/20 amp with breakers for all three or if using a 30 amp post is wired for 30/20 amp. The length of run plus the amps will determine the wire size needed. The longer the run the heavier the gauge wire will be needed because of voltage drop.

fast murray · 01-06-2013, 09:40 PM

I've always been told to overdo these installations as RV's keep having more electrical load. We did a 5 unit setup last summer with a 200 amp service fed with 250-250-250-3/0 URD. If they add more sites down the road we'll add another 200 amp service and so the same thing. Steer clear of the people in the electrical isle for advice, they generally lead to more trouble than good.

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