30 Amp Backyard Post

[Rusty]

Tried to search this subject, but I could not find anything. If it has already been discussed sorry in advance.

I am thinking about setting up a 30 amp power post in the backyard, one I am tired of pulling over 80 feet of cords across the lawn, which leaves a dead section of grass snaking across the grass, and I also hate to pass it through the open basement window! Which has its own set of unique problems, one creepy crawlies get into the basement, and there is the human creepy crawlies that may migrate through that open window!

I have already planned to do this in the past, when I wired in the "Man Cave" a couple of years ago I put in a 30 amp breaker in preparation! I am not afraid of big electrical projects, the little ones I generally have to farm out to buddies and such.

Has anyone done this? If so what were your costs, and what if any equipment was used.

[Htfiremedic]

I have and the biggest cost was the wire. Conduit was fairly chrap(the gray cpvc). The outlet was around $7.
My latest was a 50amp and it was less than $200 for a 40' run.

[Rusty]

I believe the run would be in the 80 foot range?

If you buried the PVC did you use a Trencher? Or did you just use the old elbow grease method?

[mikell]

http://www.csgnetwork.com/wiresizecalc.html

Easy with #10 wire on 30 amp circut. Really don't need conduit but some people use it

[azlee56]

I was wondering about this also, but for a 50 amp and what kind of pedestal do you need going to your house for the lot line electric?

[hankpage]

Check local codes as many areas no longer allow direct burial wiring. Conduit is cheap and more than pays for itself if you ever want to upgrade to 50 amp you don't have to dig everything back up .... just fish the new wires through the conduit and change the breaker and outlet. Be sure to use long sweeps for your turns and wires will pull easily.

[Rusty]

If I read right the only stipulations on burying the cable is, 1) depth of the conduit, and 2) use of a wood 2 x 4 to cover the cable along its length if it is closer to the surface.

[hankpage]

I have never heard of the 2x4 thing.(Even pressure treated will eventually rot) In the States trench depth is specified and may even be deeper if under a driveway. Follow your local codes and you should be fine.

[mikell]

I'm finishing up mine tonight . About 40 feet of #10 and a $30 box from Lowes. Mines on the side of my shop for the motorhome. The 5er has a 50 amp on a post both enough to fully run each unit

[therink]

I ran direct burial romex from dedicated 30amp breaker in my garage to a post in backyard at my rv pad and installed a 30amp rv outlet I purchased from Lowes.

[JRTJH]

Here is one of a number of posts about installing underground conduit/romex to supply an RV power pole in the yard. While the actual wiring is a bit different, the concept of trenching/installing the outlet box is very similar.

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...extension+cord

One thing to remember (ETCH IT IN STONE) 30 Amp RV service is wired as 115VAC it is not wired like a home dryer or stove plug !!!!!!!!! If you accidentally wire it as 230 VAC you will destroy much of your RV's electrical system the moment you plug it in.

[byrdr1]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

One thing to remember (ETCH IT IN STONE) 30 Amp RV service is wired as 115VAC it is not wired like a home dryer or stove plug !!!!!!!!! If you accidentally wire it as 230 VAC you will destroy much of your RV's electrical system the moment you plug it in.

Hot is one 30 amp breaker for 115VAC and the then you have a netrual wire and then a ground wire.
10/2 with copper ground wire is best for 30amp. I used ground burial wire but mine was run through my carport so it is inside conduit from house to 30amp plug box.
With my 5er NOW I use a 50amp female locking ring plug on camper side with a 30 plug on the box side.Marinco brand.
randy
PS one day I may upgrade to a 50 amp service which is still 120vac each leg, but then I am draggin that large and heavy and expensive cord out and around..

[diugo]

Originally Posted by mikell

http://www.csgnetwork.com/wiresizecalc.html

Easy with #10 wire on 30 amp circut. Really don't need conduit but some people use it

Actually, #6 is the recommended wire size. Remember that an 80-foot extension cord carries two conductors, so 80 feet---not 40---represents half the circuit length (the question asked by the calculator).

[tileman]

I ran 50 amp to my 5th wheel was about 300' wire and box was around 1,000
and I did the work myself.

Here's some good info http://www.myrv.us/electric/index.htm

[K4BEV]

TAKE PICTURES - Draw up a map
You may really want to know where that conduit is buried several years from now.

[labs4life]

Originally Posted by K4BEV

TAKE PICTURES - Draw up a map
You may really want to know where that conduit is buried several years from now.

^^^^^^^this. You might want an afterthought water line there as well and it would suck to cut your wire. Better to have and not need than need and not have!!!! Truest words my Grandpa ever spoke!

[Htfiremedic]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I believe the run would be in the 80 foot range?

If you buried the PVC did you use a Trencher? Or did you just use the old elbow grease method?

I buried it under DW's flower bed, seriously. Black paper and rubber mulch. I'm lazy...lol

[labs4life]

^^^^^as I say sometimes, work smarter not harder!!

[cabinfever]

Added an RV breaker 30 AMP service at the house today. I used 10/2 and total wire run was about 80 feet. Voltage at RV plug is 118 volts.

[bigcitypopo]

I'd pull wire for 50A if I did mine over... Wire the 30A and save the other as a future... Then it's just a breaker and outlet swap. Be sure you use conduit. Schedule 40 should be fine. Some places require EMT. Please wire a proper ground. Some codes allow the EMT to be used a ground... I never liked that.

Get a good outdoor box, and then it's easy as pie..