How to Build a Food Truck Installing the Electrical Panel

[@johnflood4665]

Thanks!

[@tobycalhoun8004]

Thanks for the videos! I'm currently building my third food truck but always refer back to your videos for a refresher. I will add that if I ky running 120, you can run a jumper wire between both power legs to provide power to both sides. It needs to be clearly marked to only use 120 at that configuration, but if in the future someone wanted to run 240 it would be an easy conversation.

[@fbaltierrez]

There we go!!! Love the tip, and also thank you for watching. Appreciate that 💯

[@RJ-cc1fz]

Hey bud. I use the same 120v generator and I use both legs of the breaker panel. You just need to use the hot leg from the generator-plug and jumper it in the panel. Jumper the legs at the lugs. Love the generator, thanks for the recommendation

[@fbaltierrez]

Absolutely that works! I actually was going to add that to the Video decided not too and said the mini breaker option but you are correct

[@DB-eu6vf]

If possible, do you have a visual or link to how this is done?

[@randybowers8115]

Great video thank you so much .. doing a mobile art gallery and I have no clue about electrical . I have a eco flow electric generator .. it only have house plugs as plug ins .. but I will buy a adapter plug so that way I can plug it into the breaker box !

[@fbaltierrez]

You can add mini breakers. amzn.to/44QYbvh

[@danielcox7520]

Hey Frank! Thanks again - as always- for your awesome insight! Is there any way you can demonstrate exactly how you ran the SO cable underneath the trailer, and up into the electrical panel?

[@fbaltierrez]

A few videos back I show it. Let me see if I can get the link for you

[@danielcox7520]

Awesome! Thanks again!

[@miltonmendoza7714]

Hey frank big question How much money you end up expending with the trailer and equipment. And how long it took you to get done??

[@wes293]

if you need a lot of power like I do, you COULD use 2 generators to get 240v. Hook each hot lead to the electrical panel prongs. This eliminates the need for a parallel kit which only offers 120v most the time.

[@MikePhoTravelVlogs]

Hey quick question on the generator. Do you cover the generator and propane at all when it rains and snows? I seen your video and looks like you just leave it outside exposed. Basically asking is it ok to leave a generator and propane outside exposed. I live in the Midwest and plan using it year round. Thanks in advance. 💯💯👍 Keep up the Great work!

[@fbaltierrez]

Great question. The generator I do cover bought a generator cover. The propane tanks I do not they sit under the generator so they get pretty blocked off from elements typically

[@strings1955]

Appreciate your videos. With two 15k BTU rooftop a/c would it be simpler to run 240v from the genset, and have two 120v circuits from the two legs?

[@fbaltierrez]

Could be. I don't use AC units in my trailer so wouldn't be the biggest expert for that

[@strings1955]

@@fbaltierrez Thanks. Know anybody?

[@centralcoast6720]

Hey Frank question I just found your channel I find it very interesting. I need overnight power for my trailer just to run the freezer and fridge when it’s parked on non working days. I have a 50 amp-240v plug on my trailer for my generator. How can I get electricity from a 120 watt home outlet just to keep my stuff cool over night? What kind off cord outlet do I need.

[@SgtRobChapu]

On the box plug coming from gen. Can’t we use the matching 3 prong 30amp female plug to match the gen. And do away with the prong altogether?

[@fbaltierrez]

Which prong are you referring to? Can't visualize it

[@SgtRobChapu]

The same plug type as the generator 30amp 3prong. Or is there some type of building code that states twist lock only? Ty

[@wickscanflip9912]

What if I want the option to have my generator power my truck and then say I wamt to habe access to local electricity hookups. Is there am adapter I add to the reliance plug?

[@katycodella817]

Great video! Do you also need to ground your panel box to your trailer frame? My outside plug has a plastic box, so I can't ground to it either.

[@AngelaHall-x2l]

If I am running two 4500 westinghouse generators would the breaker box still be setup the same ?

[@fbaltierrez]

Depends how you are using them. In parallel or do you have 2 different inlet boxes

[@Calvin-w5z]

Hey bud your videos are great I have a ??? If I'm running a fridge with a freezer flat top grill microwave po's cash register tankless water heater all electric what kind of panel should I get and what kind of inverter

[@fbaltierrez]

@Calvin-w5z that will be a lot of power. Especially anything that heats and cools like an AC. THE grill will be a big energy sucker. Would almost go to 60 amps the biggest thing to keep in mind Is the generator you will be using.

[@fbaltierrez]

@@Calvin-w5z I don't use inverters

[@Calvin-w5z]

@fbaltierrez what should I use for generate I'm trying to keep it as quiet as possible with no noise should I run with a 2:40 panel box

[@fbaltierrez]

@@Calvin-w5z I use inverter generators. Westinghouse is my favorite

[@Calvin-w5z]

@@fbaltierrez I am making a food truck out of a pop-up camper I just boxed everything in and now I'm working on the inside I was wondering do I need a vent commercial size Hood vent

[@r.llynch4124]

So I have a predator gen and need 240 volts to 1 equipment in trailer and 120 to the other stuff. Would I need to run 2 individual wires/gauges to 2 inlet plugs on the trailer. Sounds like I would need to panels inside, one for 120 and one for 240. Kinda confusing since the gen has separate plugs all over the place.

[@fbaltierrez]

Keep it simple only use the big plug send that to the panel inside and then distribute from there to the entire trailer. Think of it like a house everything distributes from the main panel.

[@r.llynch4124]

@Frank Baltierrez yep I Ike simple. So use the 120/240 volt plug to trailer beaker box, dont worry about the other 120 volt plugs on gen, right?

[@fbaltierrez]

@@r.llynch4124 I go to the inlet box first and then the breaker panel as I show on the videos

[@r.llynch4124]

@@fbaltierrez Not so simple after all. I have a 240 v unit pulling 18 amps and then 2 refrig units pulling approx 6 amps total PLUS 2 13,500 btu ac units pulling 13 amps each .. Still sounds like I will need several cables running from gen to trailer ,breakers.

[@stevensanchez7802]

Hi Frank, I have a 50 amp plug on my food truck but the cable it’s on it’s a 12 gage, just wonder if that’s going to be good for that big of a 50 amp plug? Thank you!

[@fbaltierrez]

12 gauge is only rated for 20 amps, you'll overheat the wire

[@Ahsao]

Thank you!

[@fbaltierrez]

My pleasure

[@travisthurston8685]

What’s your thoughts on putting the electric panel above the sink at the front of the trailer?

[@fbaltierrez]

It can be done, I'm not the biggest fan of it, but it can work

[@danielnunez7930]

Great video, I am planning on using a 50amp generator just wanted to confirm the so cable will need to be rated for 50amps along with the inlet plug? If so the 50amp inlet connector has 4 prongs red, black, white and ground correct? That would allow me to add the extra 2 circuits at the panel

[@danielnunez7930]

Also because ampere rating for that so cable it would need to be awg 6 instead of awg 8 correct ?

[@fbaltierrez]

The red and black are not what allows you to have 2 extra circuits that's what gets you 240 volts.

[@danielnunez7930]

@@fbaltierrez gotcha I was under the impression that I could use 8/3 or 6/3 cable and use the black for x red for y along with w for neutral and then my ground with a 50amp inlet plug. So that won’t allow me to use the 2 extra circuits?

[@fbaltierrez]

@@danielnunez7930 it can. Maybe I misunderstood but yes you are correct as long as you don't use a double breaker than you are good. My bad

[@danielnunez7930]

@@fbaltierrez thanks for the info

[@acostaedwin986]

How can I put in a large electrical box since I'm going to use some extra cooling equipment!?

[@fbaltierrez]

Ypu don't need anything incredibly big, a small 16 space is plenty. They aren't terribly big

[@acostaedwin986]

Thanks frank

[@lewis5074]

So if you use mini and connect the other side then you could have technically 8 circuits correct?

[@fbaltierrez]

Yes but you wouldn't need that many circuits in such a small space being a truck or Trailer

[@stevequate1797]

My research shows me I cannot run a SO cable to front of trailer w/50a plug and run generator & shore power from that one plug it together but seperatly) says very dangerous back feed whatever that is but it seems it would work to me, it may be wording it wrong

[@fbaltierrez]

@stevequate1797 you can use it one power source at a time.

[@BobsFUNFOODS]

Is the breaker panel in my food trailer considered a main panel or sub-panel? Do I need to remove the green bonding screw?

[@mobilesushibargirl]

How are you grounding your food truck? My fire inspector says I need a ground rod but I’ve never seen this before. My trailer is grounded according to the manufacturer and we use a breaker panel and 50 amp plug

[@fbaltierrez]

Our fire department or building department does not ask us for that. So haven't ran into that issue yet unfortunately. Typically this is considered a mobile kitchen and does not have all the requirements that Typical brick and mortar restaurant has. That's how I would word it to them

[@ronniebonaparte2642]

I'm putting a 120 breaker in and I have the breaker box going on the inside of the trailer and the cable for the generator to go outside the trailer will this same practice work for that

[@fbaltierrez]

Yes. On my newer electrical videos if you haven't seen those from about 2-3 weeks ago maybe that's what you mean I assume

[@joelb2178]

Hi Frank - thank you for this series. I was wondering about stabilizing jacks - how do you keep your trailer level?

[@fbaltierrez]

In my personal experience I never unhitch my trailer off my truck ever when I am in season at an event. But when I park the trailer off season without my truck I have never had a issue with the Trailer Tipping

[@mikewhalen2024]

Hey, quick question, I’m not getting any power from the generator to the panel. I have the hot wire running from x to x any ideas where I should start troubleshooting? I did have to make the cord

[@fbaltierrez]

And on the panel how did you wire it?

[@mikewhalen2024]

@@fbaltierrez It was an issue inside the cord. Just sent my first truck out of the door thanks to you

[@fbaltierrez]

@@mikewhalen2024 nice!!!!!!! Glad you found the issue

[@thanhnguyen-ze9lh]

HI FRANK I am going to use generator Westinghouse 7500-9500 watts with 4 prong inlet and 4 prong inlet box. I will connect all 4 wire following your video to inlet box BL-W-RD and GR. I still have the red wire on the panel, do I connect to another side? And if I connect to another side, can I use both side of the panel 30amp? Thank you.

[@fbaltierrez]

Good morning, watch my videos coming up this week. I'll hopefully explain the electrical to be easier to understand on my new Food Truck build

[@moises-salazar]

Is there a reason you didn’t put the cable through the breakaway has on top?

[@fbaltierrez]

I run my power wire inside my walls so I don't use the knockouts on tops or sides

[@moises-salazar]

@@fbaltierrez I got that. I meant the one that’s on the back of the panel right above the breakers. Next to mounting holes.

[@thankyouvlog9333]

Hi frank.. question..why the cord you using the male has 3 pin and the famale has 4 holes.. your inlet gen box has 3 prong which is the famale goes to inlet box has 4 holes.. can you pls explain. Thank you

[@fbaltierrez]

It's if you want to use 240V you would use the 4 spaces but since I only use 120v only 3 spaces are needed

[@thankyouvlog9333]

@@fbaltierrez thank you... i install my main panel under sink would that be ok or it depends on the town

[@fbaltierrez]

@@thankyouvlog9333 depends on town definitely, but it works not the ideal place but it works

[@vishkitchen]

Hey Frank can i di the same thing you did in this video and leave the red wire out from the panel

[@tashathompson6035]

What I need to know is can you use a main lug if I’m using a generator or do I need a main breaker ?

[@sbabb13662]

Hi Frank. Was watching this and I noticed that your plug won't be able to fit in that box. The box is 3 prongs and the plug is 4 prong. How does that work

[@fbaltierrez]

Yes that was an old 30 amp box I had now I use the 50 amp which comes with the 4

[@johnflood4665]

Hi Frank, What model Cargo Mate did you buy. Thanks, John

[@fbaltierrez]

Cargo Mate Blazer

[@dmandable]

Frank, quick question on the wiring, do you need to run armoring when running the interior wires?

[@fbaltierrez]

That depends on your building inspector if they do inspect it. Some places do some don't

[@acostaedwin986]

Frank aqui en el estado de washintong el cable que hace tierra tiene que ir conectado en el chasis de el trailer como podria hacerlo?

[@julioroque7704]

Gracias por estar horientarme enmi proyecto

[@fbaltierrez]

De nada!!!

[@HTX-713_]

What wire do I use for 220 plug for the main wire to the generator?

[@fbaltierrez]

Depends on your amperage needed. I have used 6 gauge wire now but it depends on your amperage needs

[@bryanchavez5726]

Hey frank! Long-time viewer first-time commenter! So the panel is single phase only has space for 2 brakers? Hownwould i be ablento run more circuits for example that need to be independent? I noticed the link says its. 16 space panel.

[@JasonWalker-vt1om]

Frank, I know that when finished I need to get a health inspection for my certificate for operations. My question is do I need to get anything else inspected like electrical or plumbing earlier in the process? Is it like in a house where an inspector has to come and make sure you are up to code? I just don't want to get all my FRP up and then someone is like, hey I need to see all your electrical to make sure you are to code. :)

[@fbaltierrez]

You would have to ask the mobile vendor department in the city you want to sell in and they'll get you squared away. With us they do not but it's different everywhere

[@Best.Finds11]

I have a question about my electric. I’ve been screwed over so many times by people and companies with my issue. So I am at a point that it’s easier to just do it myself. Would it be possible to IM me, because after watching this video ( which makes sense) only confused me more, given how my wires, etc are connected in my box. Thank you soo much!!

[@FamilyChannelfun32]

Frank so I have a ac up top. Fridge freezer. And exhaust fan and outlets. Last year we were maxed out at 30 amp. So would 50 be ok to do. My generator which does propane and nat gas does do up to 50 amp. I'm assuming you run yours at 30 amp

[@fbaltierrez]

I would do 50 if you can. Yes I run 30 amps no AC

[@JohnJones-rj2zd]

I. Your description with your links of equipment, I see you have regular 15 amp outlets. Do you not use gfi outlets on your food truck builds?

[@thatbeardguyoutdoors651]

I am looking to split my electric to either run the entire trailer off 1 plug in when I have 50amp or to plug in a secondary power supply and then split the box to run half the trailer off one circuit panel and then the other half off another when I only have 30amps available. Would you have any ideas on how I would do this? Have to plug in points on the trailer and then run into 2 separate panels which have a switch between to split power or run it all through one plugin is what I'm thinking but not sure how to do that split?

[@german_valle2024]

Por que no haces tutorials en Espanol ???

[@fbaltierrez]

Buenos Dias, esta Semana voy a ser un walk thru de una que tengo Aqui

[@gianvitolanzisera9169]

Hi Frank where can I find that same exact gene cord for sale?

[@mannycarrasco8120]

Hi bro so can you hook up food truck to generator and a main panel at a home

[@fbaltierrez]

No. Only to the generator or to a regular outlet in your home or parking area

[@samuelnieves565]

Hola Frank, tengo una pregunta, nesesito poner nueva intalacion electrica a mi food traila, yo lo puedo hacer, gracias a tus videos pero NESESTO UN PERMISO DE LA CIUDAD, O NESESTO CONTRATAR ELECTRSISTA CON LISENCIA?

[@claudiojuarez1444]

Hola frank estoy construyendo una coffee truck y nesecito dos generadorss Como los instalo tengk que poner dos cajas de brakers Como le ago

[@fbaltierrez]

No hay kit que se llaman parallel kits.

[@claudiojuarez1444]

Muchas gracias frank

[@stevenromero6125]

Ball park of what thus would cost?

[@fbaltierrez]

For the electrical work required or for a food trailer

[@julioroque7704]

Amigo donde hagarras las. Plogas

[@fbaltierrez]

50 Amp Generator Plug www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HS0HQW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HS0HQW&linkCode=as2&tag=rollingburrit-20&linkId=10042d0aa2d8ad0a2df1e1d6382444a3 Generator inlet Plug www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HRWGBW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HRWGBW&linkCode=as2&tag=rollingburrit-20&linkId=bdb8d132228fd5d3a72ed4104096769c

[@ricojennings6867]

How can I upgrade my electrical panel from 50 amps to 100 amps

[@ricojennings6867]

On my food trailer

[@stevequate1797]

Can anyone help me????? I want my food trailer to be able to run off my generator, and also I want to be able to plug into shore power 12v some places off external power so there arnt so many generators going I cannot find anything out there video or internet w/easy to follow instructions on how to run both generator power cable & shore power cable to my food trailer thanks

[@marcodelao9148]

wouldn't a food truck panel technically be a sub panel and therefore neutral and ground should not be bonded. generators should have a grounding conductor terminal for true earth grounding. bonding in this case would make the grounding conductors into current carrying conductors and thus energize the metal food truck. I think lol.

[@fbaltierrez]

You are correct. I have to redo that video as possible I wasn't very clear on that. 👍 thank you for reminding me

[@marcosdominguez3702]

Now I’m confused… so the way you wired it up in the video is not correct? In another video you connected the grounds into the neutral bar… how should it be grounded?

[@hodge16]

You can run some generators on parallel kits and they are 4 prong 50amp. That's what I'm currently doing.

[@fbaltierrez]

There we go. Never used that style of power but have seen others use it 👍👍

[@stevequate1797]

Everyone and everywhere I look they say I need a transfer switch to be safe. My generator is not wired into my trailer I I’ll start it same with shorepoer I use big extension cord w/50a plug in end do t k ow why I need a transfer switch to be safe

[@fbaltierrez]

@@stevequate1797 I have never used one

[@Ocgaming2011]

How much you selling it for

[@dmandable]

or is that a local requirement that i need to find out about... I am being told that i must have a certified contractor do the work, so I am thinking that I can do most of it and have a contractor inspect and sign off on it.

[@rafaelrodriguz2142]

Ola miro mucho tus bideos pero casi no pones bideos en español

[@daprincebun]

Trying to wire my ice cream truck with electro freeze 3phase ice cream machine

[@scottschlesser]

You will need a 3 phase generator or other 3 phase power supply for your ice cream machine. I think you could also install a 3 phase convertor. For something like this, you are better off with single phase machinery or hiring a licensed electrician for the install.