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| [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268758] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 06:55  |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Netters
I just read Hal StClair's commentary on the topic of "Onan house wiring
question".
Keeping in mind that it is early in the morning, for me anyway, and the
fact I have problems with electrics;
Is it possible to have both 220 for electric heat in the GMC as well as 120
for general usage while plugged into a 50 amp outlet at a camp ground?
Just wondering....??
Mike in NS
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
I am not an alcoholic; alcoholics go to meetings.
I am a drunk; I go to parties !
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268770 is a reply to message #268758] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 09:28  |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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Yes, if the campground plug is properly wired it will have 220V across the two hot legs, and 110V from either to common. If it were me, I'd use two separate conductors, one from each hot leg, to a separate ganged dual 25A breaker and from it to the heater, either hardwired or to a 220V 25A rated outlet as appropriate. Turn the breaker off when you use the Onan.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268773 is a reply to message #268758] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 10:24 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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I'd be nervous about having 240 AND 120 in the coach and having to 'do things' when you want to run the Onan. Given my history, I'd forget and mess something up.
I'd be more inclined it use 120V heat devices because that way everything would work as GM designed it without having to change something back and forth.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268797 is a reply to message #268758] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 14:15 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Kerry -
In this circumstance (each 'hot' leg wired to an end of the heater) and you plug the 50A cord into the Onan outlet, alls you will do is apply the hot leg of the Onan to each end of the heater. Won't matter, and it won't heat either.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268808 is a reply to message #268804] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 17:36 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
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I'm sorry if terms are difficult to understand. I know we electricians were accused of speaking a foreign language called "electricize"  at the building department by other inspectors. Terms such as 'hot legs, two pole over currant devices, bonding', etc are just our trades vernacular. There are such a wide range of skills on this site and I don't want it to look like I'm talking down to anyone as that's the last thing I would do. I'll try to do a better job of communicating in the future.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268809 is a reply to message #268808] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 18:04 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Not to worry Hal....
We had some "trade vernacular" in my line as well, but the words aren't fit
to publish !
If we don't know what is taking place, the onus is on us to find out, not
on you to 'spoon feed' us.
Thanks
Mike in NS
On Sat, Jan 3, 2015 at 7:36 PM, Hal StClair
wrote:
> I'm sorry if terms are difficult to understand. I know we electricians
> were accused of speaking a foreign language called "electricize" :d at the
> building department by other inspectors. Terms such as 'hot legs, two pole
> over currant devices, bonding', etc are just our trades vernacular. There
> are such a wide range of skills on this site and I don't want it to look
> like I'm talking down to anyone as that's the last thing I would do. I'll
> try
> to do a better job of communicating in the future.
>
> Hal
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
I am not an alcoholic; alcoholics go to meetings.
I am a drunk; I go to parties !
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268821 is a reply to message #268804] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 20:54 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
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I suppose one COULD add 240V service to a GMC motorhome just for electric heating.
The 50A cable used in our GMCs, as has been explained, normally only
delivers the exact same 120V to two separate circuits. Provided nothing has been done to modify the power distribution, hooking up to a split 240V/50A park pedestal will run everything just fine on those two opposing 120V supplies but COULD run a 240V heating system if necessary wiring were added.
However, when running the Onan genset, you would get NO heating, because both of those connections would be the same 120V against the Onan's "common" line.
Only an owner can decide if the definite possibility (or probability) that a given RV park might have only single 120V/30A service, and therefore no way to run that 240V electric heat system, is worth the effort and cost to add that sort of power distribution system. I believe that many national, state, and local campgrounds have only that 120V/30A service available.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268822 is a reply to message #268821] |
Sat, 03 January 2015 21:35 |
Gatsbys' Cruiser
Messages: 91
Registered: August 2014
Location: Illinois
Karma: 0
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Well the electric is not all that magic, but as one fellow told me, the wire keeps in the smoke. when you see smoke, the electic is leaking....
MY CONCERN is not to wire for 240 because some campground do not offer it. My advice would be to just settle on a couple of 120v heaters, they come in many shapes and forms, even look like a fireplace. You probably already have on in your AC unit.
I was just reading about a inline water heater, about 800 watts but it is 12v, pretty cheap, I think it was under $20 at Surplus Center ( have no affiliation ).
But I tend to nix the 240v for campgrounds for the simple reason you want to have power everywhere and 120 is everywhere, unless you dry camp, then you can use the genny.
Just my thoughts and how I might go.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268835 is a reply to message #268822] |
Sun, 04 January 2015 07:52 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Stan,
I agree with your evaluation of 240 vac.
But be careful of that 800 W/12 VDC heater! Your batteries won't last long
supplying 67 A. Nor, for that matter, will your alternator even if you
don't run the heater without the engine running. Even a 100 A rated
alternator won't hold up to that load for long; $20 would not turn out to
be a bargain.
Just a caution for anyone considering such a device.
Ken H.
On Sat, Jan 3, 2015 at 10:35 PM, StanC wrote:
> ...
>
> MY CONCERN is not to wire for 240 because some campground do not offer
> it. My advice would be to just settle on a couple of 120v heaters, they
> come
> in many shapes and forms, even look like a fireplace. You probably
> already have on in your AC unit.
>
> I was just reading about a inline water heater, about 800 watts but it is
> 12v, pretty cheap, I think it was under $20 at Surplus Center ( have no
> affiliation ).
> ...
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268884 is a reply to message #268758] |
Sun, 04 January 2015 17:32 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Simply put it would be better to have 2 120V heaters balanced on both legs. That way you get a balanced load when 240V 14-50 is available but the whole shebang will still work when there is only TT-30 or Onan available. You could run 2 1500W heaters (12.5A per leg) and still come in at 25 total for heat alone when on TT-30. As this is continuous resistive load, that is about all you would get away with on a 30A and still have a little left for 12V lighting and charging via the converter. If you did turn on the water heater, microwave etc, you would have to turn off one of the heaters temporarily unless you were on shore 14-50 and then it would probably be fine. 3000W is just over 10,200 BTU and will probably keep you warm down to maybe?? 30 deg. Below that you will need the furnace or some other heat source with our poor thermal retention.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Electric heat..?? [message #268919 is a reply to message #268758] |
Mon, 05 January 2015 13:21 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Yes. That is how the US and Canadian systems work. We feed your house with 240 volts and a neutral. If you attach a device to either one of the 240 lines and neutral you will get 120 volts. If you attach a device to both 240 volts lines and not the neutral you will get 240 volts.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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