cost of 50 amp installation

[Armur]

Hi -

Our company operates a custom made 25' International at various sites across the country. The trailer is outfitted with one 50 amp service, of which we draw over 30 amp to run the HVAC system plus electronics.

We have encountered a number of situations where a site has to install a 50 amp service as there is not a pre-existing one. Does anyone have a guess as to what a typical cost for an on site installation of a 50 amp service might be?

Thanks!
Ryan

[Dureedesign]

Hi, I spoke to an electrician about up our amps from 30 to 50...it the guage on your trailer is heavy enough to carry the additional amps and your inverter can handle the additional load, then all it takes is the breaker to be replaced and the fuses upgraded. Unfortunately, although we have a powerful inverter, in order to upgrade, we would have to rewire everything with a heavier guage.....hope that helps.

[markdoane]

There are way too many variables. Think in terms of $1500 to $2500. If there is a welding socket nearby it would be cheaper.

In Manhattan it might cost $5000.

[guy99]

If you are talking about installing a standard 50 amp RV service, you are talking about the cost of two 50 amp breakers, four conductor wire of sufficient gauge to carry 50 amps for a run from the panel to the outlet location, the cost of the 50 amp receptacle and a box to mount it in. Plus labor. This assumes that you breaker box has room and capacity for the two new 50 amp breakers

When I had mine put in I had a bunch of other work done at the same time so I can't say what the cost for just the 50 amp service was.

[crowbar68]

i would say around 1000 min w/ labor and material. copper is way up and depending on were you get pwr may need to upsize wire if in conduit etc. especially if commercial property.

[HowieE]

ARMUR

If you are talking about a commerical trade trailer used to display your companies goods it would be far more cost effective to buy a generator and have it installed in the trailer or tow vehical. The numbers quoted above are conservative.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Dureedesign

Hi, I spoke to an electrician about up our amps from 30 to 50...it the guage on your trailer is heavy enough to carry the additional amps and your inverter can handle the additional load, then all it takes is the breaker to be replaced and the fuses upgraded. Unfortunately, although we have a powerful inverter, in order to upgrade, we would have to rewire everything with a heavier guage.....hope that helps.

A true 50 amp RV service can not safely be had from an existing 30 amp service. A true 50 amp RV service is a 240 vac service (120 vac on each leg) which is realized through four wires - Two hots, a neutral, and ground. A 30 amp service has one hot wire, a neutral, and a ground for three wires total.

Many factors play into a true 50 amp service with the length of the run being primary. Figure $3-$4/foot for the wire (anywhere in the U.S). $60 for the outlet/service box to plug in to, $50-$100 for breaker at service panel & misc. fittings, $100 - $300 for trenching (if required), $100/hour for the electrician for probably a half day's (minimum, in his opinion) effort.

Tom