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Old 10-01-2019, 10:34 AM   #1
Brantlyj
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Permanent EMS install

Seriously doubting if I want to install this or just exchange it for the portable.

Zero room to work, I would have to move the inverter over to make room for the EMS. Not a huge deal but not sure I want to put more holes in the floor than I need to.

It’s 6 gauge wire. I have a stout wire cutter but I don’t think it’s enough to make a clean cut. Thinking it would be better to use the angle grinder with a cutting disk, but again little room to get in there. I was going to unhook the wires from the fuse box and buy a length of wire but they must have used the Hulk to tighten the screws and I stripped the heads. Ugh.
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Old 10-01-2019, 11:00 AM   #2
Logan X
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I think you have a Hideout bunkhouse? That is what I have. I was able to install the EMS where the shore power cord enters the trailer at the mouse hole. There is a metal junction box there. I replaced the junction box with the EMS. There was no wire cutting involved. The access was under the bunks. I’m not sure if you have a similar set up? Good luck!
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Old 10-01-2019, 11:07 AM   #3
Brantlyj
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan X View Post
I think you have a Hideout bunkhouse? That is what I have. I was able to install the EMS where the shore power cord enters the trailer at the mouse hole. There is a metal junction box there. I replaced the junction box with the EMS. There was no wire cutting involved. The access was under the bunks. I’m not sure if you have a similar set up? Good luck!
I have the 29DFS. I’ll need to get my signature set-up. There is a small closet where the power enters and there is an access panel on the bottom. I’ll pop it off and see what’s what.
Thanks for the idea. l
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Old 10-01-2019, 11:20 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantlyj View Post
Seriously doubting if I want to install this or just exchange it for the portable.

Zero room to work, I would have to move the inverter over to make room for the EMS. Not a huge deal but not sure I want to put more holes in the floor than I need to.

It’s 6 gauge wire. I have a stout wire cutter but I don’t think it’s enough to make a clean cut. Thinking it would be better to use the angle grinder with a cutting disk, but again little room to get in there. I was going to unhook the wires from the fuse box and buy a length of wire but they must have used the Hulk to tighten the screws and I stripped the heads. Ugh.
I have a HF 24" bolt cutter that I use to cut the wire. If that's not enough, I found that a hack saw works much better than trying to get a "power driven angle grinder" into tight spaces. I like my fingers where they are and don't want to risk an angle grinder in a confined space where there's not a lot of room and even less "ability to control" where the grinder might deflect, if it binds on the wire or jumps from me sneezing or ????
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Old 10-01-2019, 11:20 AM   #5
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Ok so the power is is at the other access cover but no junction box so will need to cut the cable somehow.

Any ideas?
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Old 10-01-2019, 11:28 AM   #6
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Why cut the cable to insert the EMS?

Just wire the current "end of the cable" to the EMS input and buy an appropriate length of ROMEX at Lowe's or Home Depot to go from the EMS output to the trailer power distribution center. I'd guess you'll need about 3 or 4 feet of ROMEX, at $2 a foot, that's less than $10 plus travel costs to the store.
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Old 10-01-2019, 12:17 PM   #7
Brantlyj
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Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
Why cut the cable to insert the EMS?

Just wire the current "end of the cable" to the EMS input and buy an appropriate length of ROMEX at Lowe's or Home Depot to go from the EMS output to the trailer power distribution center. I'd guess you'll need about 3 or 4 feet of ROMEX, at $2 a foot, that's less than $10 plus travel costs to the store.
That was my intention, unhook at the fuse box, buy a length of cable and hook it up. But as mentioned above they tightened the screws so damn tight I stripped them out trying to get them loose. 🤦*♂️
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Old 10-01-2019, 01:36 PM   #8
flybouy
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The bolt/wire cutter John spoke of costs $30 from Harbour Freight or use a hack saw with a fine tooth metal cutting blade. If room is limited and your cable runs thru a "mouse hole" to the inside then pull some extra cable in so you can access it.
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Old 10-01-2019, 03:12 PM   #9
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I did a lot of large battery cable for boats and bought a pair for cutters similar to this one from HF, however I no longer see them on their site. They work really well. Chris

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Titan-114...tter/673777777
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Old 10-01-2019, 03:44 PM   #10
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There was a post on another forum that rhymes with honest liver, and in it they used plugs on both ends of the EMS so that they could remove it. I've never seen anybody mention this, but wanted to throw it out there so that it would be thought of. Anyway that's my 2 cents for the night.
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Old 10-01-2019, 03:47 PM   #11
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There was a post on another forum that rhymes with honest liver, and in it they used plugs on both ends of the EMS so that they could remove it. I've never seen anybody mention this, but wanted to throw it out there so that it would be thought of. Anyway that's my 2 cents for the night.
Two more points of failure, with one not protected for lose of neutral. Not a good idea in my book. Chris
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Old 10-01-2019, 04:12 PM   #12
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Two more points of failure, with one not protected for lose of neutral. Not a good idea in my book. Chris
That's why I threw it out there. Wanted some input. Thanks.
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Old 10-01-2019, 09:51 PM   #13
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I used these.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/wis...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Old 10-02-2019, 09:24 AM   #14
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My power comes in under my fridge, so like above not a lot of room to work with. I had a junction box there, but there was no way I could replace it with the EMS. I ended up doing as someone above suggested, pulled the power cord into the trailer, cut it, wired the EMS in and then put everything back. I could secure the EMS fine, but no way could I wire it up.

I wish I could have just replaced the junction box with the EMS.
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Old 10-02-2019, 12:20 PM   #15
Brantlyj
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Well I got it in. Wasn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever done but not a walk in the park either. Mini hacksaw and putting it where the power enters the trailer was the trick.
As a side note I thought the vacuum was kind of gimmicky. Not so, it was awesome in cleaning up the mess and not have to drag a shopvac
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Old 10-02-2019, 02:15 PM   #16
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That's perfect, well done.
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Old 10-02-2019, 03:05 PM   #17
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Well I got it in. Wasn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever done but not a walk in the park either. Mini hacksaw and putting it where the power enters the trailer was the trick.
As a side note I thought the vacuum was kind of gimmicky. Not so, it was awesome in cleaning up the mess and not have to drag a shopvac
Look at you. Be careful or you will be nominated to the "modifications" hall of fame.
That looks real nice. Mount the display to the cover for that opening and you are looking good.
Good job.
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Old 10-02-2019, 04:10 PM   #18
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Looks good, nice job.
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Old 10-02-2019, 04:22 PM   #19
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Good job but for heaven's sake don't tell the DW or she'll have a list a mile long! :Bankhead: At least that's how it happens at our hacienda.b
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Old 10-02-2019, 05:07 PM   #20
Brantlyj
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Look at you. Be careful or you will be nominated to the "modifications" hall of fame.
That looks real nice. Mount the display to the cover for that opening and you are looking good.
Good job.
RMc
Ha! I’m actually very mechanically inclined. I didn’t realize there would be a second access point. Which is why I love forums. A huge resource of people that have done this before you so you can save yourself some aggravation.
I did mount the display. Just didn’t take a pic.

I’ve already built a set of landing pads for the stabilizer jacks out of scrap 2x6 and as soon as my dicor arrives I have a Maxxair unit to install. Oh, and a new shower head. On deck for the spring is a set of Moryde suspension and wet bolts. I’m sure I’ll think of more stuff to do over the winter.
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