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Old 06-02-2015, 09:52 AM   #1
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Amps?

This is probably a really dumb question.

When discussing 30 vs 50 Amp rv's are you limited only by the cord that you purchase and the site that you rent or are the rv's themselves hardwired to be a 30 or 50 amp rv?

If hardwired, how do I know which one mine is? We've just purchased a Salem Cruise-Lite 261BHXL.
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Old 06-02-2015, 09:55 AM   #2
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3 prong...30amp
4 prong...50amp

um...on the end of the cord
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:05 AM   #3
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oK, it was a dumb question! I see now that it's listed right in the specs of our unit! Ours is 30 Amp.

So much to learn with a first RV.
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:07 AM   #4
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Biggest difference in most is 30amp=1AC 50amp=2ACs. Or at least wire prepped. Most site are wired for both 30 & 50. If a Ma and Pa park, they will usually ask you for your elect load. Several 30amp user like myself carry a 30 to 50amp changer.
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:08 AM   #5
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RV is wired differently for 30 and 50 A. You should be able to tell by plug. See attached
You can use a 30A RV in a site with 50A service with no problems, but you need a plug adapter.
You can use an RV with 50A service in a site with 30A service if you are careful to limit demand to 30A, but you will need a different adapter.

If you have 50A service plug added to your home to use for RV be sure it is wired for RV ( two 120V circuits) and not a standard 220V outlet.
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:10 AM   #6
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The RV itself is wired for either 30 or 50 amps. The easiest way to tell is to look at the power cord that came with the unit, it will have either 3 prongs or 4 prongs. 3 prongs equal 30 amps and 4 prongs equal 50 amps. The other way is to look at the AC dist box in the unit it will have a main breaker that is either 30 amp or a double gang type breaker that is 50 amps.
50 amp campers have two separate circuits and 30 amp only has one. To truly use 50 amp service all components in the line must be 50 amps, the camper, the cord and the campground service. If any one of these inline items are 30 amps or less you will only be able to use 30 amps. There are adapters from 50 to 30, and from 30 to 20 amps commonly called (dog bones) because that is what they sort of look like. Make sure you read the elect portion of your users manual for things not to do.
Good luck and happy camping.
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:16 AM   #7
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Here is a good site to help familiarize yourself with the differences between a 3600 watt 30 amp and a 12000 watt 50x2 amp service. Just click on the links to the left of the page there.

Also it gives great info on how to test your outlets and make a plug n play tester if you like.

RV Electric
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:32 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rednose83 View Post
oK, it was a dumb question! I see now that it's listed right in the specs of our unit! Ours is 30 Amp.

So much to learn with a first RV.
didnt mean that to sound like it did. lemme make it up to you. make sure if you have 110 to your water heater, you have it switched off when running the AC. Make sure you use an RV extension cord if running either of the 2 said appliances.
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Old 06-02-2015, 11:07 AM   #9
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didnt mean that to sound like it did. lemme make it up to you. make sure if you have 110 to your water heater, you have it switched off when running the AC. Make sure you use an RV extension cord if running either of the 2 said appliances.
I feel like I'm back in college with all the reading that I am having to do before we pick our RV up this weekend.

I'm confused- I thought there was an electrical cord that you plug into the campsite pole from the RV.

What is the extension cord for?
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Old 06-02-2015, 11:25 AM   #10
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Some campgrounds have the power pole situated a little too far away for your power cord to reach. It doesn’t happen often and many times it depends on where you cord connects to the trailer (rear or middle).

One of the campgrounds I visit has a site with low hanging tree branches at the rear so I can’t back into the site as far back as I want. My power cord which is 25 feet long connects to the trailer at the middle and the site’s power pole is at the rear so I end up using my 15 foot 50 amp extension cord. I rarely need the extension but it comes in handy when I do.

Since you have a 30 amp trailer you should be able to find a 25 foot 30 amp extension cord for around 30 bucks to 40 bucks.
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Old 06-02-2015, 11:31 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Oakman View Post
Some campgrounds have the power pole situated a little too far away for your power cord to reach. It doesn’t happen often and many times it depends on where you cord connects to the trailer (rear or middle).

One of the campgrounds I visit has a site with low hanging tree branches at the rear so I can’t back into the site as far back as I want. My power cord which is 25 feet long connects to the trailer at the middle and the site’s power pole is at the rear so I end up using my 15 foot 50 amp extension cord. I rarely need the extension but it comes in handy when I do.

Since you have a 30 amp trailer you should be able to find a 25 foot 30 amp extension cord for around 30 bucks to 40 bucks.
Ok, that makes sense. Trying to learn all this stuff at once is like information overload! We already had to get a math degree to figure out if we could tow the RV with our existing truck!

We didn't plan on buying until January which gave us tons of time to learn....but we got carried away on Saturday so we need to learn quick.
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Old 06-02-2015, 11:33 AM   #12
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Like Oakman says the need for an extension cord depends were you camp. In Ontario provincial parks you are almost guaranteed to need an extension cord. Two weeks ago I almost need two to reach the post.
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Old 06-02-2015, 11:39 AM   #13
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It may seem like sensory overload, but it will come to you. Before long, you will be showing other new campers how it's done.

A couple articles I would suggest reading at your leisure, that may help out in the future is this one from Mark Polk explaining the 30 amp and overloading the circuit:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

and if you have a Suburban water heater:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html

Feel free to ask any and all questions. That's what the forum is about. A dumb question is always less costly than a dumb mistake.
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Old 06-02-2015, 11:42 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Vibe View Post
Like Oakman says the need for an extension cord depends were you camp. In Ontario provincial parks you are almost guaranteed to need an extension cord. Two weeks ago I almost need two to reach the post.
I have used 135 ft at one Park running right thru poison ivy to reach!
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Old 06-02-2015, 11:48 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakman View Post
Some campgrounds have the power pole situated a little too far away for your power cord to reach. It doesn’t happen often and many times it depends on where you cord connects to the trailer (rear or middle).

One of the campgrounds I visit has a site with low hanging tree branches at the rear so I can’t back into the site as far back as I want. My power cord which is 25 feet long connects to the trailer at the middle and the site’s power pole is at the rear so I end up using my 15 foot 50 amp extension cord. I rarely need the extension but it comes in handy when I do.

Since you have a 30 amp trailer you should be able to find a 25 foot 30 amp extension cord for around 30 bucks to 40 bucks.
In the for sale section there's a 30 amp extention cord 20.00 plus freight 25 foot
Brand new.

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Old 06-02-2015, 11:50 AM   #16
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Here.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ad.php?t=83566

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