Adding shorepower connector

[Campy]

I'm wanting to add a 50amp shorepower connector on the side of my 5th wheel. I'm going to leave the rear connector in place but disconnect it at the power panel and secure the leads incase it would ever get "plugged in" but my question is, is there a good way to tell if there is an aluminum stud in the wall where I want to add the connector? Not sure why the power supply was ever put on the rear with all the other connections and every campground setup with middle hookups!

[chuckster57]

You might be suprised at the number of camp grounds with all the hook ups at the REAR of the site.

Early mornings are best to view the outside, in damp conditions the framework will "hold" the moisture.

[Frank G]

A non magnetic stud finder should work to find the aluminum studs. The vertical studs are normally on each side of an opening, like the windows, but not always, and they have no specific spacing. Working from the inside out you may want to drill some very small test holes. Like the smallest drill bit in the set.

Good Luck

[Campy]

Originally Posted by Frank G

A non magnetic stud finder should work to find the aluminum studs. The vertical studs are normally on each side of an opening, like the windows, but not always, and they have no specific spacing. Working from the inside out you may want to drill some very small test holes. Like the smallest drill bit in the set.

Good Luck

Thanks, I may have discovered that you are correct the aluminum studs are at the openings. Right beside where I want to cut the hole is an opening for the fridge, I can clearly see a aluminum stud on both sides so I bet there are no chances there is another one 8 inches left,... I hope. Here are a couple of pic of where I want the new connection. The piece of black tape is where it's going and in the second picture you can see the aluminum stud in the fridge opening.

[bsmith0404]

I guess you have your reasons for doing this, I've never had an issue with the connection at the rear of the 5er. Looking at the location you want to place the connector, my question is why not just move it over a couple inches to the left side of that stud?

[Campy]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I guess you have your reasons for doing this, I've never had an issue with the connection at the rear of the 5er. Looking at the location you want to place the connector, my question is why not just move it over a couple inches to the left side of that stud?

It is to the left of the stud, look at the piece of black tape on the decal that's where I want the connector and I think the stud is right in the fridge opening. Two reasons,... first is every campground I have been to the hookups are placed near the water in the center and two I have a genset in the bed of my truck and the cord will reach if it closer to the front. I have since ordered a change over switch so I can leave both connectors hooked up, side and rear. The change over switch will flip over to which ever one gets power.

[Dave W]

Why not have them both hooked up? That way you have your choice of connections.You can do it via bus bar(s), splice or split bolt connectors plus you can add a switch to access either if you have a safety concern. I'm assuming you have already found that Marinco makes the receptacles in various configurations. Not going to be an inexpensive mod with the cost of 6-3 with a ground cable and receptacles but sounds like something I would do.

OOPS, sounds like we crossed while typing. Oh well