Electric Upgrade FAQ's

Click on each question below to link to the answer or scroll down as you read through the page.

What happens to my site during the upgrade work?

What should I do to prepare my site for the upgrade work?

What is the electric service pedestal and what does it look like?

What is the secondary trailer outlet service box and what does it look like?

How do I plug my 30 amp trailer into the new 50 amp service?

What if my trailer plug will not reach the new trailer outlet pedestal?

Why do I have to put a male junction box on my structures (sheds, add-on rooms, covered decks, etc.)?

What if I want 20 amp outlets at the rear of my campsite?

Does Valley Electric offer any other options and if so, what are they?

Can I access my trailer or campsite during the powered down period?

What if my propane tank is moved in the upgrade work process?

Will I have one of those large distribution circuit panel boxes at my site?

Will there be any site restoration if damage is done to my site?

A tree or trees at my site had roots damaged during the digging, what is being done about these trees?

If you have not found the answer to your question(s) here, please use the electric email address link to inquire further.

What happens to my site during the upgrade work?

• The Construction and Electric Contractors work with the Ranch Facilities Supervisor to mark on the ground the best place to locate your main electric service pedestal at the right front of the site, the rear secondary trailer outlet pedestal, and if necessary the distribution panel. When a difficult situation arrives, the Electric Committee gives input. Every effort is made to consider your perspective in this process.
• Approximately one to two weeks prior to the electric shut down at your site the digging Contractor digs the ditch for the secondary trailer outlet pedestal to the marked location for the pedestal and the electric Contractor installs the pedestal prior to the electricity being shut down at your site.
• It is possible, due to trees, etc. that digging will be done across your driveway or on the left hand side of your campsite in order to get to the appropriate location for installing your neighbor's secondary trailer outlet pedestal. The location of these is dictated by State Electric Code and the Electric Inspector.
• The digging across the front of the campsites (campsite to campsite) will also be common when digging the ditch for laying the mainline to the main front service pedestal . This happens during the powered down phase. This may help to maintain the integrity of the roadways.
• Know that this is a major construction project and things will look different when done. The Contractors are doing a great job of restoring things as best they can, but the disturbance can be great when it is necessary to maneuver the new underground infrastructure in order to position the service pedestals at the appropriate locations on each designated campsite.

What should I do to prepare my site for the upgrade work?

• Know that the digging and installation of the rear trailer receptacle box will be done approximately one to two weeks prior to any electricity shut downs for the upgrade in your campsite area.
• Clear both sides of the front half of your designated campsite of any loose objects that may be in the way of workers and equipment before this time.
• Know that fencing, landscaping, propane tanks and other items may be moved during the process of installing the rear and front receptacle boxes at your designated campsite.
• Prior to the day that your designated campsite is to be powered down, empty your fridge and freezer and unplug all appliances, drain and turn off your hot water heater, unplug your trailer and set the cord under the trailer inside the skirting or in the storage compartment where it connects to the trailer. The Contractor's and Ranch staff will not plug anything back in for you when the work is done (this is to avoid any power surge to items in your trailer that could cause damage); you will be contacted when it is time to come and do that yourself; until then you should stay out of the closed campsite areas. Make sure that anything electric is shut off and unplugged everywhere else (shed, add a room, etc.) as well.
• Disconnect your water hose from the standpipe and store it out of the way of any digging; make sure you leave the standpipe plugged in, Ranch staff will take care of the standpipe during the upgrade work.

What is the electric service pedestal and what does it look like?

• This panel is the initial point of electric service to your site.
• The new main service panel includes a very low wattage LED light for non-intrusive night time illumination, two 20 amp outlets and breaker switches for these outlets and for the secondary trailer outlet box that is located at the right side of your campsite approximately 15 feet from the rear of your trailer and towards the rear of your site.
• The light will face the roadway and your campsite ID number will be placed on the box by the Ranch crew.
• Photo and open view.

What is the secondary trailer outlet service box and what does it look like?

• This is the electric outlet that your trailer power cord plugs into. It looks like this and open view.
• It is located within 15 feet of the rear of your trailer, per Washington State Electric Code for RV Parks.

How do I plug my 30 amp trailer into the new 50 amp service?

• The Ranch is doing the best we can to identify these campsites as they are shut down and supplying an adaptor at no cost to the sites that do need them.
• If the Ranch misses your trailer and it does need one, please see the office for help.

What if my trailer plug will not reach the new trailer outlet pedestal?

• There should not be any trailer cord that does not reach as the trailer receptacle box is set within 15 feet of the rear of the trailer.
• It is standard that all trailer cords are 25 feet long.
• If it seems that your cord will not reach, it may be that it was previously buried under the trailer in order to reach the old service pedestal and needs to be dug up and strung along a different path than before.

Why do I have to put a male junction box on my structures (sheds, add-on rooms, covered decks, etc)?

• To meet the State Electric Code and the Inspector's requirements, structures with any electric wiring (wired in light fixture, ceiling fan, or any electric appliance) must have one of these junction boxes installed.
• Part of this requirement is that the power to the junction box receives power from the Main electric service pedestal via an outdoor rated extension cord, which is unplugged and put away when you are not at the Ranch.
• This extension cord cannot (according to electric code) be buried even if in conduit. No underground electric wiring may be done by the Member unless done with a permit per the State Electric Inspector.
• The female end of the extension plugs into the male junction boxes whip tail and the male end of the extension cord plugs into the 20 amp outlet on your main electric service pedestal or a factory manufactured outlet on the outside of your trailer.
• No extension cords coming out from inside a shed or any other structure will be allowed.
• The reason for this is to reduce the risk of electric fire. This risk will be increased simply due to the fact that the system is now higher capacity.
• Hardwiring accessory structures to your trailer or trailer breaker panel is strictly forbidden by the State and County regulations that govern Black Mountain Ranch as an RV Park.
• Plugging electric cords into an outdoor outlet that is part of the manufactured design of your trailer is okay.
• Photo of the junction box.

What if I want 20 amp outlets at the rear of my campsite?

• Valley Plumbing and Electric, the electric contractor for this upgrade project, is offering to install a rear site located (near or at the trailer receptacle box) 20 amp service receptacle box for a nominal fee.
• The Member will need to contract with Valley and pay for this separate from the Ranch.
• To contract with Valley to have one of these additional 20 amp receptacle boxes installed at the rear of your site, fill out the contract form available at the Ranch Office lobby or download it here.

Does Valley Electric offer any other options and if so, what are they?

• The male junction box required by the Electric Inspector for all wired accessory structures may be purchased for Member installation at the Ranch Office or from Valley Electric for $30.
• The male junction box may be purchased and installed by Valley Electric.
• The contract form to use for ordering the male junction box installed is available at the Ranch Office lobby or here.

Can I access my trailer or campsite during the powered down period?

• The Contractors liability insurance does not allow anyone other than their employees in the work zone.
• Campsites without power and/or water supply are not allowed to be occupied per the Health Department.
• The roads are dug up with deep ditches crossing in all directions, it is a dangerous place to be. Auto traffic will not be able to maneuver through at this time.
• Heavy loud equipment is being operated and the Operators are not able to do their job if they must be looking out for pedestrian safety.
• All Members should stay out of the closed construction areas, which are marked. Thank you.
• If for some emergency reason you must gain access to your campsite or trailer, please request access first at the Ranch Office or Security if after Office hours.

What if my propane tank is moved in the upgrade work process?

• Between the Contractors, the Ranch Facilities Supervisor and his coordination with the Propane Companies, the best efforts are being made to have all propane tanks re-set and hooked up shortly after the campsites are powered back up.
• If you are patient and let the Ranch coordinate the re-hook up along with other propane tanks, the cost is less and the Ranch will pay the cost out of the project funds. Otherwise, if you call the Propane Company, they charge a full visit charge for each site, significantly increasing the cost. The project funds will not go far enough to cover it all. Your cooperation and understanding in this is greatly appreciated.
• In some cases, the propane tank may need to be re-located differently than it was previously. This is due to Electric code that requires the gas valve on your tank be at least 5 feet away from any electrical source (such as your service pedestal or a circuit panel box). This will be done with consideration for your best interest at your designated campsite.

Will I have one of those large circuit distribution panel boxes at my site?

• You may and if you do, there is probably not an option of having it located elsewhere.
• The Electric code requirements dictate much of the design of the new system. The new system is designed in circuits of approximately 27 sites or services per circuit.
• Each one of these circuits requires a circuit distribution panel and three sub-distribution panels.
• The large circuit panel has one of the three sub panels included at the same location. The other two sub panels are located in other locations within the circuit.
• There will be approximately 72 of these panel locations total (main and sub distribution panel boxes).
• The circuit distribution panel location within the circuit is crucial for supplying the proper full voltage to each site on the circuit. These are being located where they must be for efficiency and longevity of service.
• All consideration is being made, within the bounds which have been given by the Electric Engineer and Electric Inspector when making the decision as where to locate these distribution panels so as to be located in the least obtrusive locations as possible.
• The Board and Management are looking into ways to enhance the look of these panels in the near future.
• Photos of main distribution panel front and side views.
• Photo of sub distribution panel.

Will there be any site restoration if damage is done to my site?

• Once the entire project is done and paid for, the Board and Electric Committee will look at the project funds left over (if any) and decide what site restoration these funds may provide for.

A tree or trees at my site had roots damaged during the digging, what is being done about these trees?

• The Ranch has already been addressing Tree and Forest health prior to this project and has two employees trained for monitoring and managing tree and forest health here on the Ranch.
• The Ranch has a Forestry Stewardship Plan registered with Washington State DNR.
• Through this training process, the staff also has support from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A Tree and Forest Biologist from the DNR has already visited the Ranch to assess not only trees affected by the electric upgrade work, but also other Tree Health issues being dealt with here on the Ranch at this time.
• The Digging Contractor and crew are now exercising measures to cause less damage (the least possible damage) as they maneuver through treed areas.
• The Trained Ranch staff will be regularly monitoring all trees affected by the electric upgrade work for signs of disease attack and other issues that may pose a hazard now and into the future. If, and when it is deemed that a Tree is failing and becoming a hazard it will be removed. Prior to this, other management measures may also be taken to reduce the chance of loosing the Tree(s).
• Trees that have lost a root or two will naturally drop a coordinate amount of branches within the next couple of seasons to balance out its ability to feed itself efficiently. This is not to be taken as a sign the tree is dying or diseased.

If you have not found the answer to your question(s) here, please use the electric email address link to inquire further.

Black Mountain Ranch is a private campground in Deming, Washington, USA.

All Data copyright Black Mountain Ranch, 2009.