220/240 Dryer

[ARD]

Just found out that although Newmar wouldn't allow the special of 220/240 dryer, you can have the wiring changed at the Service Center. A friend of mine just upgraded their Splendides in their New Aire to the Whirlpools, including the KA's whirlpool dryer. The cost to do the rewiring is around $1200. Very tempting.

 

[Rich W.]

You could probably get a regular electrician to do it for $200 or so - very simple job.

 

[Neal]

Just found out that although Newmar wouldn't allow the special of 220/240 dryer, you can have the wiring changed at the Service Center. A friend of mine just upgraded their Splendides in their New Aire to the Whirlpools, including the KA's whirlpool dryer. The cost to do the rewiring is around $1200. Very tempting.

I would do it. 240V dryer will be far better than the 120V nonsense.

 

[Magua]

I have the Whirlpools in our coach. They have been excellent. 240 is the way to go.

 

[J&JD]

You could probably get a regular electrician to do it for $200 or so - very simple job.

X2. Newmar is more than double what it should cost. Check in with some of the rv shops around the area and I think you will be surprised at the difference in $.

 

[Rich W.]

The pic shows you have 240v at the panel, so its just a matter of properly powering a breaker on both legs. I guess some of the expense is running new (heavier gauge) wire to the dryer, but it still doesnt justify $1200.

 

[Neal]

but it still doesnt justify $1200.

Let's think about this and put some reality to what things cost. I believe Newmar's labor rate (non winter) is 149/hr. They have to remove the dryer, possibly also the washer (1 hour). They have to make changes to the breaker box (1 hour). Probably run a new romex or two? (several hours) and install a new outlet and wire it up (parts + labor). This is not a residence, it's a bit more complicated as we know.

There is added cost - you need to buy a new dryer and that will probably make you want a matching pair so add a washer. Total cost? Near $4K when done. Add time to remove both units, install new units.

 

[John&Andrea]

Pulling the new wire may be the biggest challenge.

 

[Rich W.]

Yes the wire run is probably what spikes the cost. Also my experience with the service center is that they charge actual time up to the estimate, so if it takes less time, you pay less than the estimate. They do good work and they are reasonable.

While the improvement is atractive to me, I wouldn’t bother with the work or pay the extra cost of the machine(s) just to get my clothes to dry faster - the current system is somewhat slow but its good enough and the goal was to avoid public laundry facilities - had enoughmof that! So the 120v dryer works for me. If and when it dies, I’ll think seriously about an upgrade. However if I were ordering new I would be tempted also.

 

[ARD]

Well, it can't be done in the New Aire. Now service has to figure out who to bill for their time (parts?) for saying it can be. To do this they have to run another line, but the issue is the size generator in the New Aire. The only way to use the dryer if they were to go forth with their initial plan, would be when they are hooked up to 50 amp shore power. Since they boondock or sometimes use 30 amp they would not be able to use the dryer.

Different story for the LA with 12.5kW generator. Will update on what all has to do be done per Newmar.