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06-10-2021, 07:31 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 3
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30 amp Outlet inside or outside garage
I need to install a 30a 120v outlet for my new class B. This is my 1st RV, and I am unsure whether to install it inside my garage or outside of my garage. I will park in the driveway (not inside). Breaker box is inside garage and 12ft from overhead door. Which location is more advantageous - IN or OUT?
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06-10-2021, 07:42 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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I would vote for outside, because when you have the cord plugged in you won't be able to close the door. Also, at 12' inside your garage you've used up almost half your cord just getting to the door. Can you park the RV close enough to the garage that ~15' of cord will reach the RV?
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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06-10-2021, 07:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 679
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Personal choice. Outside will allow you to plug in without having to route under the door. I have mine inside, along side the door track, but I can lock my door just above the cable.
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Bill and Gail
2016 Sunseeker 3010DS
V10 6 speed transmission
2017 Ford Fiesta toad
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06-10-2021, 07:56 AM
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#4
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clay-AI19
I need to install a 30a 120v outlet for my new class B. This is my 1st RV, and I am unsure whether to install it inside my garage or outside of my garage. I will park in the driveway (not inside). Breaker box is inside garage and 12ft from overhead door. Which location is more advantageous - IN or OUT?
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Outside makes connections easier.
Ours have always been outside and the cover is weatherproof and never caused any problems. Plus, if you have someone who needs to connect, and you’re not home, you don’t need to leave the garage door open or unlocked.
__________________
Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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06-10-2021, 07:57 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,505
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MAKE SURE YOU INSTALL A ---120 v RV outlet--- using a single pole breaker!!! This is very very important. MANY times folks post horror stories here where their friend or even their licensed electrician mistakenly installed a 3 wire 240 V outlet like was used on electric dryers years ago. This immediately ruins your onboard charger and possibly much more.
I have an outside outlet at my house so I don't have to run the cord under my garage door.
(Hopefully someone can re-post the photo of the correct outlet clearly labeled RV use only)
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Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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06-10-2021, 08:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Michigan
Posts: 402
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan
MAKE SURE YOU INSTALL A ---120 v RV outlet--- using a single pole breaker!!! This is very very important. MANY times folks post horror stories here where their friend or even their licensed electrician mistakenly installed a 3 wire 240 V outlet like was used on electric dryers years ago. This immediately ruins your onboard charger and possibly much more.
I have an outside outlet at my house so I don't have to run the cord under my garage door.
(Hopefully someone can re-post the photo of the correct outlet clearly labeled RV use only)
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https://www.menards.com/main/electri...3472940&ipos=1
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2021 Wolfpack 315Pack12
2014 Ford F350 6.7L Diesel
2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse
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06-10-2021, 08:23 AM
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#7
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Guitar G
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Exton, PA
Posts: 49
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Go with outside box
I just had this 120v/30amp box installed next to the garage door. It's much more convenient than running a cord under the door. Also, having a separate box with breakers allows me to plug everything in before turning on the power with the breaker, which is the recommended process. I plug my surge protector into the box, then plug the 30amp cord into that.
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06-10-2021, 08:49 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,397
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Outside.
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--2005 F350 Superduty Crewcab, 6.0, 4wd, short bed, 3.73 gears;
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38' SOLD
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06-10-2021, 08:56 AM
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#9
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Outside.
And as cautioned!.... BE SURE the installer understands it is 30a at 120v.
Another option for outside is when you are not using it for your R/V you have an extra outside outlet to use for other things. (with an adapter)
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2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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06-10-2021, 09:31 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 3
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Seems as though the consensus is to install outside. I like the look of Guitar G's box. Just wondering, will the cord get damaged by closing the garage door down on it?
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06-10-2021, 09:42 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Michigan
Posts: 402
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clay-AI19
Seems as though the consensus is to install outside. I like the look of Guitar G's box. Just wondering, will the cord get damaged by closing the garage door down on it?
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Most likley you wont damage the cord with the garage door. This issue will be that the opener thinks the door has hit an object an will go back up.
__________________
2021 Wolfpack 315Pack12
2014 Ford F350 6.7L Diesel
2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse
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06-10-2021, 09:45 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 105
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Outside just had an electrician come out yesterday, what are your fears for outside or inside?
Simplicity is why I went with outside as all my electrics are on the wall by the side driveway were the trailers park.
An electric cord if put under a gragedoor will ask for trouble pest wise and looks as well.
If your fuse box is not as simple as mine then you have a justifiable reason for extension cord of but make it safe.
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06-10-2021, 09:47 AM
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#13
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,417
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Outside of course, if kept outside. Who would want a rodent conduit running beneath the garage door?
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2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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06-10-2021, 10:01 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 918
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One thought might be if you will be upgrading some time in the future to a larger RV , with a bigger power draw. Or a guest with more power required.
IF you circuit breaker in the garage is wired for 240V it would cost little more to install a 240V socket outside in a proper box as found in many RV parks.
You would need a plug in adapter to allow the 30a 120v to plug in , but would be ready for your next step.
Adapter $15.99 at anazon
Nilight - 50033R 18 inch 50 Amp to 30 Amp RV Plug Adapter Heavy Duty Dogbone Electrical Adapter with Handle 50A Male to 30A Female Cord Adapter 125V/3750W,2 Years Warranty
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06-10-2021, 10:41 AM
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#15
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Guitar G
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Exton, PA
Posts: 49
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Make sure it's 120v, not 240
Just reinforcing what others have said -- make sure you have the box wired for 120v, 30 amps. I had an experienced electrician install mine, but he had never installed an RV receptacle, and he questioned me about the 120 vs. 240 when we were discussing the project. I sent him an article from one of the RV education sites about the RV-specific receptacle (see attached pdf) that clearly explains the installation, and then he had no problem seeing what to do. After the installation, it's a good idea to plug your surge protector into the outlet to make sure things are okay before plugging in your camper. Even though my Flagstaff 26RBWS has 50 amp service, I decided to go with the 30amp service because it's simpler, and because I don't have a second air conditioner and don't really need 50 amp service anyway. I just use the 30amp dogbone that came with the camper. Before I got the box, I just used a 120v extension cord with a dogbone and plugged it into a 120v receptacle in the garage, but that meant running the cord under the door. It also meant that I couldn't run the camper A/C when I had it in the driveway. Now I just plug into the outside 30amp box. The cost was totally worth it.
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06-10-2021, 10:43 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4,846
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My vote would be for outside.
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06-10-2021, 10:47 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inciter
what are your fears for outside or inside?
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The real reason for the post is that I am leaning toward box on outside, and my wife is leaning toward inside. This RV community has given us ample information to discuss further.
Thanks everyone. It's true that RV folk are nice and willing to help out newbie travelers!
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06-10-2021, 10:53 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4,846
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What would be the reasons for having it inside? Security - put a little padlock on the box to keep honest people honest. Weather - boxes are made to be out in the weather - every campground pedestal box is out in the weather. Looks? Kinda understand that, but the outlet box can be painted. Value - the outlet box on the outside with a standard 15/20 amp GFCI receptacle also installed (post #7) is likely to be a bigger selling point for the house than the box on the inside is going to be.
I would LOVE to have a box like in post #7 right outside my garage door!
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06-10-2021, 10:54 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 182
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Did mine outside as well. Love it.
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06-10-2021, 10:54 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Quincy, WA
Posts: 1,502
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I have installed outside. As another post stated with the cord going under the door it is a conduit for rodents. VERY TRUE!!! I live in country ag area.
I would also suggest that you put in a sub panel that has both 50Amp and 30Amp outlets. The 50 Amp is 240v across the hot legs with a neutral and ground. The 30 Amp is RV wired. 120v AC rv receptacle. You can also have a 120v 15 amp outlet.
Each are on their own breakers just like you see at RV parks.
Comes in quite handy for other uses too. ie welder, power washer, outside Christmas lights etc.
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Ken and Kathy Redburn
2018 DX3 37TS (The Taj)
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