For those who put in a hard wired EMS

[Jims94vmx]

Looking at videos online (too cold to try outside) did you go in through a cabinet or remove the panel for the circuit board to get to your 50 amp wire? Did you also just cut wire and put each cut end on one side of the EMS? Trying to get a handle on it before i dig in.....thanks.

[jbailey]

Jim,
I originally wired mine in right behind the WFCO electrical panel. I cut the 50Amp wire and just wired it in. Here are a couple of pictures:

[bertschb]

I removed the electrical panel and followed the directions from this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxE3WZRnJIs

It was easy to install. The only difficult part for me is the wire is SUPER stiff and very difficult to work with.

[Lawdogs]

I disconnected the power cable from the distribution box. Wired one end to the EMS. Bought a two foot section of cable and wired it from the EMS to the distribution box. If I ever trade in the trailer, I can remove the EMS and rewire to the distribution panel.

[Jims94vmx]

thanks, saw that and wanted to make sure.....

[BjornF16]

I went in through basement, cut the 50A service wiring and wired both cut ends in the EMS. I found it easier to disconnect from breaker panel to wire the EMS.

Pics here

[wstcoaster07]

I disconnected the power cable from the distribution box. Wired one end to the EMS. Bought a two foot section of cable and wired it from the EMS to the distribution box. If I ever trade in the trailer, I can remove the EMS and rewire to the distribution panel.

I'd recommend you do this. I just cut the cable and spliced in the EMS like most, but wish I had taken this route instead. With this other way you could essentially wire half the box before even getting in to the rig.

[CoChris]

Can anyone confirm the type and size of the main power wire that the factory used? From the pictures and the description of it "being fairly stiff" I am guessing the 50A power cable is type NM-B wire, probably 6/3 w/ground.

An easier to work (bend) alternative to NM-B would be a 6/4 SOOW cord (like what is used outside the trail to connect to the shore power), about twice the cost per foot of NM-B ($7 vs $3.50ish) but only need a few feet. I was just looking at some in my local Home Depot. I am thinking I may keep the original wire intact (not cut it) and just use a short piece of the 6/4 SOOW cord between the surge protector and the distribution panel. My only concern is if the SOOW cord is to large a diameter for the surge protector strain relief (Progressive EMS-HW50C on order).

[gbkims]

It's a jacketed cable 6/3 8/1. Three 6 Awg THHN/THWN stranded copper wires with one 8 Awg ground wire.

(3) 6 AWG with (1) 8 AWG Ground, THHN/THWN Insulation, Unshielded, PVC Jacket, Type TC, Black, 600V, Sunlight Resistant, Direct Burial.

I'd use THHN/THWN stranded wire as its thicker strands retain proper grip under the screw down terminals in the circuit breaker panel versus finer stranded SO type cable.
THHN/THWN is UL listed for this use. SO type is UL listed for portable cords/machines/extension cords.

[CoChris]

Thank you for the information. That is good to know. I will stay with the THHN/THWN that Grand Design used.