Hard wiring a surge protector in a Tab 400 help

Zeckmm

Is the heavier yellow electrical line running into the fuse box the line I splice into for the surge protector on a 2020 BDL? Lots of wires to choose from!  Getting ready to order the EMS HW 30c for install. 

Sharon_is_SAM

Thread on hard wiring a 320.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/4815/progressive-industries-ems-hw30c-install

Warranty
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6601/permanent-ems-in-t-b-400

320 Install
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/12112#Comment_12112

320 Install

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/102964#Comment_102964

ScottG

If you are talking about a flexible electrical cable (NMR or "Romex") I would expect the main AC line running to the converter to be orange. I'm assuming this is where you would want to install a surge protector.

Yellow cable denotes 12g wires inside. This is good only up to 20 amps. Since the main feed is supposed to handle up to 30 amps, heavier gauge wires are required. On my 320 the cable is orange, which I think indicates 10g wires. The yellow cable is probably powering one of the branch circuits. 

TNOutback

@Zeckmm I’ll be watching this closely as I hope to do the same when I take delivery of my 400.

Bayliss

@Zeckmm, I agree with @ScottG 's information.  The 30 amp cable (Romex) on my 2019 320S is orange.  Easiest way to confirm that is to follow the Romex cable from where your shore power enters the camper from the exterior connection point and follow that to the converter.

Unfortunately, nüCamp did not leave much extra wire to work with.  Therefore, take your time in figuring out where to cut the existing 30 amp cable to make your connections, ensuring that you leave sufficient length to make your connections on the respective input and output sides of the EMS.  When doing that, keep in mind where you plan to mount the EMS, because that will largely determine where you cut the 30 amp cable.

Due to the lack of extra slack in the orange Romex, I had to install my EMS upside down.  However, I have seen others who installed new Romex to give them extra wire to easily mount the EMS right side up.  In the threads posted by @Sharon_is_SAM, you will see photos that depict both installations I have described.  Even though mine is technically "upside down" (i.e., how the box is oriented), in reality that just means the writing on the EMS cover is upside down.  I could have flipped the cover around so that I can easily read the writing (which includes the error codes), but the cover also has labels designating which side of the EMS is the "Line/Input" vs the "Load/Output."  I wanted those to remain properly labeled, even if I have to stand on my head to read the writing.     

klenger

Post deleted by member.

Bayliss

@klenger, that is a great wiring diagram!  I downloaded it a while back and really appreciate your willingness to share it with others.

Zeckmm

Thanks for your comments. scottG is correct the incoming line is orange 10 gauge. Bayliss is spot on in saying not much wire to work with! I Have enough wire to do the splice but not able to do the mount . I will probably have to splice in a piece of 10 gauge wire to mount; lots of good places to mount but shortage of existing wire.

ScottG

You might poke around on the back side of the incoming twist lock connector. My guess is that if you can get that open the wires from the orange cable will be attached to screw terminals and can be readily removed and a new length of cable added between the twist-lock connector and your new EMS.

This is basically the same as what klenger suggested above, only I'm thinking it might be easier to get at the connector rather than mucking about in the breaker panel. Just a guess, though, as I haven't needed to pull that cable on either side for any reason. If you do check it out please let us know what you find!

ScottG

If you do decide to just cut the cable and splice in a little extra, I recommend installing a small junction box with appropriate cable clamps in which to make the splice--just as you would do in a code-compliant residential application.

And for good measure I suggest taping up any wire nuts after you make the connections. You don't want 'em unscrewing themselves as you bounce down the road!

Bayliss

I probably should have explored whether I could have done what @ScottG has suggested (i.e., check the back of the twist-lock connector.)   I did pull all the available slack from that connector, but still needed a tad bit more.  Also, I mounted my EMS inside the same compartment that houses the converter (on the opposite side of the plywood divider where @klenger mounted his.)  I can see how he had sufficient wire available to mount it where he did.  I just opted to mount mine adjacent to the converter so that I can easily see inside the EMS housing when the cover is removed.  Worked out fine, looks great, and is very accessible.  Although not necessary, if I get ambitious and run out of projects, I might consider replacing the original Romex with a longer length. 

KK1L

Deleted

klenger

@KK1L I've deleted my post above to get rid of the link but it's still present in your copy of my post.  Please delete or edit your post to remove the link. I don't understand how or what this hack is doing but it has me concerned. 

techietab

Doesn't appear to be any 'hack' involved. Looks like typical squatting on an expired domain by a prolific spammer, if you dig into the whois history for the domain and do a bit of Googling.

SLJ

I removed the 10 Gauge wire from the connector and ran that into the output of the EMS and used a new piece of 10 gauge wire to run from the 30A connector to the input side of the EMS. Don't use smaller than 10 gauge wire.

AndreO

Here you go, mounted under the bed of my 2018 400. Just cut the existing cable, stripped the ends and screwed them into the EMS.

The hardest part was fitting it in a good spot.

manyman297

I mounted my watchdog surge protector behind the drawer under the wardrobe. The nice thing is you can quickly check the status of it by opening the drawer. Much faster than logging into your phone.

Roamy400

Not sure about room in a standard 400, in our 400 Solo I mounted a Watchdog along with a Hughes Autoformer ahead of it to help with voltages sags. All were done with plugs so I could bypass something if needed in an emergency situation. Have had to bypass the autoformer once when only power available was a 20amp GFCI outlet, GFCI didn't like the autoformer.

Roamy400

Wouldn't let me attach pictures but they are here from a previous post.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/15206/hughes-autoformer-and-power-watchdog-with-epo-install#latest