Home shore power outlet

[blw2]

I'm wanting to add an outlet outside my garage someplace...a 14-50 outlet with a weatherproof in-use cover.

I've been using just the 15 or 20 amp porch outlet when I bring my MH home, but I've meant to upgrade that situation for a long time.
Now I'm toying with the idea of getting an electric car, so it might be a little more necessary if I do....

My issue is the only ones I can find are the rather ugly and industrial looking metalic Nema 3r type surface mount boxes.  Where I'll be putting it will be very visible.

Know of any nice looking alternatives?

 

[Isaac-1]

I doubt you are going to find anything different, these things are built to meet a code requirement, though you could always paint them.

 

[Larry N.]

Well, here's one that appears to have a plastic cover. And I've seen a really fancy one or two in a couple of RV resorts, but don't seem to find them online.

 

[Ex-Calif]

I kept it simple. The RV was blowing the 20a house breaker when I ran the AC mid day. I dropped a 30 amp breaker in and set the outlet directly below the breaker panel. I removed one inner wall slat and mounted a surface mount outlet.

Parts were off the shelf home depot stuff.

It is not that intrusive although the cover will not close when plugged in as I have to use and adapter for my extension cable.

It's not the ugliest outlet ever...

 

[blw2]

hey, I tried again....my 4th or 5th search session...
found this
https://www.hubbell.com/taymac/en/Products/Electrical-Electronic/Outdoor/Boxes-Covers-Plates/MX6200/p/1670866
looks like the adapter works for lots of various round sizes, so maybe....
I'm not sure if the cover would close over an RV plug, but even if it's mounted on a surface mounted box at least its smaller and not as boxy....
I suppose I could cut a hole in the stucco and use a flush mounted box.....

I'm still interested in other options.

 

[Ex-Calif]

Nothing wrong with that - good looking box...

Don't forget to consider how your are gonna run the power to the box - i.e. that looks like it needs a hallow wall and the feed comes in from the back. If you are mounting on outside brick wall you may be looking at a conduit run, which will need a box with a top or bottom entry and is also against your need for it not to be ugly... Outside wall conduit runs are yucky. That's part of the reason I kept mine in the garage and use an extension cable run out to the RV.

Also because I am lazy and didn't want to have to get creative with the power run. And the final advantage is the 30 amp run is about 4 feet to the mains.

ETA - Whoops. Just reread the part about stucco walls. The box wouldn't be terrible.

I found this cover pretty quickly if you want to go flush mount - I am sure there are more out there.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sigma-Electric-2-Gang-Square-Metal-Weatherproof-Electrical-Box-Cover/3817967?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-elc-_-google-_-lia-_-206-_-electricalboxes-_-3817967-_-0&store_code=203&placeholder=null&&ds_a_cid=112741100&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6ar4BRDnARIsAITGzlBcvS4iifSzr9rdAcW-Bbqe876E_Qi7RQBKdUIEMWyqr6S-vq7brwoaAgsAEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Rene T]

I've been wanting to do the same thing but I didn't want a huge box sitting on the front of my garage in plain site. This post got me thinking and I think I'll be going this way. How about installing one of these and put the actual receptacle inside the garage. You could paint it the same color as your siding or just leave it white. It takes up to a 50 Amp cord.

https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-370-2-Polar-Electric/dp/B000BRF4AI/ref=asc_df_B000BRF4AI/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309823018507&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10546329486807239585&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002453&hvtargid=pla-504172415167&ref=&adgrpid=60862048799&th=1

Here's a black one:

https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-541-B-2-Deluxe-Electric/dp/B002XLGQDE/ref=psdc_10961910011_t3_B000BRF4AI?th=1

Here's another one that is smaller but it only accepts a 30 Amp cord. My rig is 50 Amp but I'm just going to reduce the cable down to 30 Amp with a adapter and just use a 30 Amp cord which I already have. I'll still be able to run one of my air conditioners which is fine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082DZ77XF/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B082DZ77XF&pd_rd_w=RKOYn&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=v8bw8&pf_rd_r=CM4SAD7M8GXQJ5G7E3E6&pd_rd_r=1033c35b-4a89-4e3d-bbcb-df31be2c745e&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWENBQkdBRTVJMVdTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTEzNjAxMllXREFaMTg5UkFGNyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTI4NTg4TUFGTzZaRkFLVU1KJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I've seen some elegant looking yet highly functional RV power pedestals, but they are difficult to find online. A buddy of mine has one at his house where it is in a highly visible location, but doesn't know where the electrical contractor found it. 

You can also search for "dock boxes", the marine equivalent of an RV pedestal.

Here's are a couple examples:

https://powerpedestal.com/powerport-rv/

https://www.dockboxes.com/power-pedestals

https://picclick.com/Midwest-Electric-Truck-RV-Power-Data-Pedestal-332238175171.html

 

[Bobtop46]

I have installed 2 of these and have been very happy with them both.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-RV-Panel-with-50-Amp-RV-Receptacle-and-20-Amp-GFCI-Receptacle-GE1LU502SSP/308853161

I like the added 20 amp GFCI outlet. 

 

[Rob&Deryl]

Perhaps a simple oh say 12? wide, 6? or so deep column up from the ground, finished to match house with a socket inside and hinged front with mouse hole near bottom for the cable to exit?
You could mount the surface box to the 6? side giving enough room for the connection and the cable to drop down.

 

[Isaac-1]

Rene, running a power cord through a doorway, window or hole in a wall is an NEC code violation, so may be an issue is there were ever a fire or other incident.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Rene, running a power cord through a doorway, window or hole in a wall is an NEC code violation, so may be an issue is there were ever a fire or other incident.

Hardly anything about a temporary (plugged) wire connection is a violation of the NEC.  As long as it's not hardwired, it's pretty much ok.  Furthermore, I'm confident there will be nothing in his insurance policy that says it only pays if everything conforms to building codes. The insurer may demand it be corrected, but he is still insured for damages.

 

[Rene T]

Rene, running a power cord through a doorway, window or hole in a wall is an NEC code violation, so may be an issue is there were ever a fire or other incident.

I'll take my chances.  Thanks.
The only place where it will be hardwired will be inside the garage and that will be from the receptacle which will be right under the sub panel about 1' or less. My power cord from the RV will be going through that hole up to the receptacle.  Easy peesy

 

[John From Detroit]

Put an electrical "Hatch" (any rv store) in the Wall of the Garage or other building next to the parkign spot  Pass cord inside and forget the weatherproof box.
There are other pass throughs you can use too.

Foam Rubber in the box to seal it (pack it in) if you are not going to be moving the cord any time soon and heat/cold loss is an issue.

 

[Rene T]

Put an electrical "Hatch" (any rv store) in the Wall of the Garage or other building next to the parkign spot 

Must be an echo in here  ;D

 

[Jkoht]

My local hardware store (menards) had a 30 amp rv outlet box like you'd find at any campground, just minus the breaker slot or 15 amp outlet. I think it was around $50. We rented a ditch witch for the cabin and trenched in an underground wire with it's own dedicated 30 amp breaker to a 4x4 post that I put in the ground near where the camper gets parked. Then we just wired it up to code, only needed a small piece of conduit  to run the wire down the 4x4. A year later I got ambitious and piggybacked a 30 amp rated gfci outlet in a weatherproof box onto the 4x4 so I could have an outlet there for running other things occasionally (like lights, or an air pump).

 

[Lou Schneider]

Here's an easier solution (from an otherwise very nice RV park in Los Angeles where I lived for 4 years before I retired). That's a park employee helping a newbie park and hook up - standard practice for new arrivals.

https://youtu.be/MqEOhhVOWhs?t=41

 

[HueyPilotVN]

I think that you will not need this, but here is a link to installing an outside electric hookup.  It includes pictures of the wiring at both the panel and the outlet.

The photobucket pictures might not work but I later posted regular reduced pictures

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,66762.msg611714.html#msg611714

 

[Ex-Calif]

Mine runs out the garage door, around the corner and into the RV. I can't see anyone gigging me for that.

I would have run it out the window but I didn't want to leave the window unlocked.

I do know there are OSHA guidelines about extension cord use but those are more in a business context.

Rene, running a power cord through a doorway, window or hole in a wall is an NEC code violation, so may be an issue is there were ever a fire or other incident.

 

[John From Detroit]

One warning... If you have the outlet installed professionally either go with a proper Park box (Expenive) with 20/30/50 amp outlets or have them install a 50. >WHY

Two reasons  One if you ever upgrade you may want that 50 and if you put it in first way cheaper than a later upgrade  NOTE if you are concerned about plugging a 30 amp cord into a 50 amp outlet you can always "Downgrade" the breakers to 30's  Just use all the 50 amp wire and such so the upgrade is easy.

Second.... I can not tell you how many stories I've read that started with an Electrician installing a TT-30 outlet  And  when the Happy RV owner plugged in ZOOOTTTTT  and all the magic smoke was let out of the electronics.  Seems the electrician wired it wrong.

I know of ONE electrician (Sorry don't have his name) Who knows to do it right.  I got to him before he screwed up .

What's the screw up. The professional looks at that big black outlet and thinks 240 volt.

NO. ti's 120  Single breaker  One hot. One neutral One ground  but they wire it wrong.