Electrical connections

[Zephod]

I need to put an external power connection on my bus conversion. What kind of connector do I need in order to connect at campsites? Do I need a cable?

[Iceni John]

Most folk here use the Marinco stainless-steel inlets, pricy but good quality.   For a lot less money Furrion makes some decent stainless power inlets  -  they look nicer and they're well made (I've got two of them).   It's just up to you to decide if you want/need 30A or 50A.   Don't waste your money on the cheap plastic RV inlets  -  after a few years in the sun they get brittle and break.

John

[eagle19952]

hard wire your cord to your bus... makes it way harder to steal....

just fit a plug to the end.

[bevans6]

I use a Marinco.  Way easier to store, and thieves have bolt cutters.

Brian

[TomC]

I have a 4 wire #6 cord that is hard wired to my circuit breaker box. It has the RV type 4 prong big plug for 50 amps. Since my bus is wired straight 120vac, I only use one side of the 50 amp-which still gives me 6,000watts. If for some reason one leg gives out, I can switch to the other leg easily. I really like not having to worry about "Balancing the load". So much so, I'm wiring my truck the same way again. Good Luck, TomC

[eagle19952]

I use a Marinco.  Way easier to store, and thieves have bolt cutters.

Brian

Do what Brian said... it will only cost you another $200.00 - $300.00 ....  you'll need a hole saw too ...

http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-Guest-AFI-Nicro-6373ELB/dp/B008F8ZQ9E/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1438270555&sr=8-11&keywords=marinco+stainless+steel+boat+inlet

http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-6364CRV-Amp-Female-Connector/dp/B002UC4X2W/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1438270739&sr=8-6&keywords=marinco+50+amp

[bevans6]

I had no idea they had gotten that expensive!  I thought the plug and socket was like $50.  I would probably go hardwired at this stage of the game too, but mine came with the bus for free!   

Brian

[sledhead]

I used a cord like this one and cut 3 ' off to use as my gene plug it was less money then to buy the regular plug cord

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/30-amp-locking-powercord-plus-rv-cordset-50/72111

dave

[Zephod]

Holy Hell, $114 for a power cable!

How long do I really need my cable to be?

[scanzel]

I bought a 50' cord because sometimes depending on how you park at campgrounds the power pedistal is not close and you don't want to keep adding extensions on to a too short cord. I put a twist lock end on mine and it feeds through the bay floor into a Furrion twistlock. A connector on the side of the bus is nice but easier to steal your cord it they want it. Mine is 50' because when I park next to my garage I need to run it around the back to the power box attached to the garage.

[chessie4905]

There are going to be a time where you could use a longer cord.......
Buy an rv extension cord of the length you can afford now. Cut off plug end with a couple of feet of cord attached. Connect this to your electrical panel or junction box in bay. Purchase a new plug for the extension cord. Install a closeable hole in bottom of bay. Route cable through this hole when in use. Keep cord to pigtail connection in bay out of inclement weather. Then you can get an extension cord when finances allow or needed down the road. I'd go with 50 amp now so you don't need to upgrade in future, plus less chance of overheating and connection degrading from high loads. Camco makes nice plugs and sockets for changing ends. They have nice pull handle assists on them also.

[eagle19952]

Holy Hell, $114 for a power cable!

How long do I really need my cable to be?

ON SALE TODAY>>>

http://smile.amazon.com/Camco-55197-PowerGrip-Extension-Cord/dp/B004809YBE/ref=lp_12006996011_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1438443780&sr=1-5

[luvrbus]

You don't need to pay that kinda of money for a Marinco plug they have 4 different models only difference is the way they connect on the back the 6373-B is the most expensive it's made for salt water and cable use you connect it slide the collar tighten it makes it air and water tight .

I just bought 2 from Global Marine for under a 100 bucks with shipping fwiw Cabela's sells the Marinco for 80 bucks.

I prefer the ones with the open back for ventilation and air circulation that is the one most RV's use as they don't use the cable from the fuse box  

[Zephod]

Yay. Got a  power connector for the buys http://www.ebay.com/itm/271909878145 $15

[eagle19952]

Yay. Got a  power connector for the buys http://www.ebay.com/itm/271909878145 $15

thats wonderful....where is the female end ?