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Old 06-23-2016, 05:21 PM   #1
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30A single or 20A double?

I've decided to install an RV receptacle on the house. I had, at one time, conduit run and several water tight outlets at the corners of the house. I was originally going to replace one with a 30A RV receptacle and put a 30A breaker with appropriate sized wire in it's place.

Here's the question...I've got an unused 20A double in the main. I was thinking about just using that breaker and running it to a 50A RV receptacle instead. That would give me two 20A lines (which is much better than the single 15A I'm currently having to use) instead of one 30A line. I'd still be using the heavier wire. Any potential drawbacks to this I might not be thinking about? I don't normally run anything at the house but a single AC and a light or two. Just thinking about it at this point as all I'd have to get is the receptacle and wire.
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Old 06-23-2016, 06:05 PM   #2
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What kind of plug does your camper have? When I google an image of the camper it has 1 AC unit so I assume it has a 30 amp connector. If it does in fact have a 30 amp, then running 2, 20 amp circuits connected to a four prong 50 amp jack won't get you 40 amps to a three wire, 30 amp camper. Only 20.

I would personally install the proper wiring to match the plug. I can't imagine that to do otherwise would meet code.
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Old 06-23-2016, 06:09 PM   #3
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When running my 30amp plug, I ran it so I can upgrade to 30 amp 120/240 for if and when I get a 50 amp unit. 2 20 amp legs work, too. Just look at your rv panel and see what will get 20 amps. Each side of the main should get 20 amps.

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Old 06-23-2016, 06:16 PM   #4
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You should stick to the proper wiring for the chosen outlet. Run a standard 30 amp or if you want more amps run a 50 and use an adapter. It is best to not make people guess what is actually behind the outlet. Stick to industry standards.
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Old 06-23-2016, 06:18 PM   #5
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even if you put a 50 amp plug for your RV to plug into you will still only be getting 20 amps. Why not size the wire such put a 50 amp double breaker and then use a 30 to 50 adapter to your RV. Problem solved service ready should upgrade to a RV that requires 50 amp service
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Old 06-23-2016, 06:44 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by SeaDog View Post
even if you put a 50 amp plug for your RV to plug into you will still only be getting 20 amps. Why not size the wire such put a 50 amp double breaker and then use a 30 to 50 adapter to your RV. Problem solved service ready should upgrade to a RV that requires 50 amp service
It does have 50A service.

This was more of a question of what would be better. I don't really want to go to the expense of running 50A as I won't ever use it. 30A is really the most I'd need for what I'm doing with it. My options are, use a single 30A and an adapter to the trailer (one 30A line @ 120V) or use the existing double pole 20A and wire it to a 50A RV without the need for an adapter (two 20A lines @ 120V).

Both will require wiring for at least 30A and a receptacle, but I already have the double 20A breaker.

The double 20A with two hot legs would give me more total available power, but not a huge amount. It will probably be more than I need, but I can always upgrade it later if it's not.
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Old 06-23-2016, 07:05 PM   #7
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It is best to not make people guess what is actually behind the outlet. Stick to industry standards.
That's probably the best thing. As long as the wiring exceeded the breaker there wouldn't be a problem, however, if I sold the place and forgot about it and someone just assumed that the wiring was suitable for 50A because of the box and dropped a 50A breaker in there, there could be problems. I'll just go with a 30A receptacle and single breaker so there's no confusion later.

This is the reason I asked. Good to get second (and 20th) opinions. I knew it would work, just making sure I wasn't overlooking something that might cause problems later.
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Old 06-23-2016, 07:21 PM   #8
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I think I understand your premise, but what exactly right now does that 20 amp double pole circuit breaker control? What is it going to?
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Old 06-23-2016, 07:32 PM   #9
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I think I understand your premise, but what exactly right now does that 20 amp double pole circuit breaker control? What is it going to?
Absolutely nothing right now. It was going to an ancient 240V window unit on an addition to the house. The wires are capped and labeled in the panel, but the breaker is still there not being used. If I don't use it, I'll have to take it out to make room anyway. Just exploring options.
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Old 06-23-2016, 07:48 PM   #10
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Absolutely nothing right now. It was going to an ancient 240V window unit on an addition to the house. The wires are capped and labeled in the panel, but the breaker is still there not being used.
Ok, the reason I was asking was to see if there was existing wiring in place, and if you planned to use such. I was also curious to see if you have 3 or 4 wires running to the whatever the circuit breaker was controlling. You would have to have 4 wires to wire it as a split phase RV service using the 20 amp double pole breaker (or any double pole breaker)

I would check the cost of running the proper 4 wires size (also if you are using existing conduit, is it big enough for this) for a true 50 amp 120/240 split phase service as opposed to the proper 3 wires size for a 30 amp 120 volt outlet.

You may find out it's not too terribly much more, and then decide to just pop out that 20 amp double pole breaker and replace it with a 50 amp double pole breaker. You would then run the appropriate size wire for this, and install a 50 amp outlet. This way you could run what you need in your RV.

The only drawback (besides the initial cost of the wire, outlet and 50 amp breaker) is what size service your main panel has at your house. I wouldn't attempt this if you have anything less than a 100 amp main service, whereas 150 or 200 amp would be better.

You would have to see what all amps everything else in your house uses, and make sure not to overload the main, if using your RV at the same time.

It's ultimately your call, and you can decide what works good and fits your budget best.

This is a great link below to a site to peruse. They also have recommended wire sizes for the different applications as well as the wiring schematics/outlets for each. You can check out the 50 and 30 amp links, to help you figure it out....then price the stuff online at lowes, home depot, etc. to give you an idea.

RV Electric

and make sure to click on their pdf's like this

http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/50-amp%20Service.pdf

and this

http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdf
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Old 06-23-2016, 07:52 PM   #11
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Thanks for the reply. House is 200A and I wouldn't be using any existing wiring. The conduit SHOULD be large enough and I believe the cost difference would be less then $100 for wiring and receptacle together. I may just go ahead and go 50A with it anyway.
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Old 06-23-2016, 07:57 PM   #12
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Thanks for the reply. House is 200A and I wouldn't be using any existing wiring. The conduit SHOULD be large enough and I believe the cost difference would be less then $100 for wiring and receptacle together. I may just go ahead and go 50A with it anyway.
I would.

I edited my post above with more links to make sure to read, as they explain how to wire properly for a 50 or 30 amp outlet.
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Old 06-24-2016, 05:57 AM   #13
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That's probably the best thing. As long as the wiring exceeded the breaker there wouldn't be a problem, however, if I sold the place and forgot about it and someone just assumed that the wiring was suitable for 50A because of the box and dropped a 50A breaker in there, there could be problems. I'll just go with a 30A receptacle and single breaker so there's no confusion later.

This is the reason I asked. Good to get second (and 20th) opinions. I knew it would work, just making sure I wasn't overlooking something that might cause problems later.
If your trailer is 30 amp it will only use one leg of that breaker even if you power up both legs on the 50 amp breaker. Use 10 Guage wire for 30 amp circuit.
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Old 06-24-2016, 06:31 AM   #14
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It does have 50A service.

This was more of a question of what would be better. I don't really want to go to the expense of running 50A as I won't ever use it. 30A is really the most I'd need for what I'm doing with it. My options are, use a single 30A and an adapter to the trailer (one 30A line @ 120V) or use the existing double pole 20A and wire it to a 50A RV without the need for an adapter (two 20A lines @ 120V).

Both will require wiring for at least 30A and a receptacle, but I already have the double 20A breaker.

The double 20A with two hot legs would give me more total available power, but not a huge amount. It will probably be more than I need, but I can always upgrade it later if it's not.
The draw back to using the existing 20 amp breaker is... somewhere down the line... when you are not around anymore, someone is going to think it is a 50 amp circuit and be scratching their head as to why it only has a 20 amp breaker.

If you have to replace the wire and the receptacle, a replacement 50 amp breaker (for the 20) is a drop in the bucket. Spend another $10 and put in the correct breaker to match the circuit and it will be good for whomever, whenever.
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Old 06-24-2016, 06:50 AM   #15
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If your trailer is 30 amp it will only use one leg of that breaker even if you power up both legs on the 50 amp breaker. Use 10 Guage wire for 30 amp circuit.
It's 50A, which is why I was considering the existing double pole.

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The draw back to using the existing 20 amp breaker is... somewhere down the line... when you are not around anymore, someone is going to think it is a 50 amp circuit and be scratching their head as to why it only has a 20 amp breaker.

If you have to replace the wire and the receptacle, a replacement 50 amp breaker (for the 20) is a drop in the bucket. Spend another $10 and put in the correct breaker to match the circuit and it will be good for whomever, whenever.
That is the conclusion I've come to. The wiring difference is about $1/ft more and the difference in boxes is about $25. That's about $50 there plus breaker. Might as well just go 50A.
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Old 06-24-2016, 07:23 AM   #16
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Might as well just go 50A.
Sound decision. Electrical work is a place to spend the extra money so it is right.
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Old 06-24-2016, 07:30 AM   #17
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You will be happier with the 50 amp breaker set up over the twin 20 amp. The reason is if you run the A/C and maybe a water heater the one leg may pop a 20 amp breaker. It all depends on how the RV is wired to balance the loads off the two legs of power. Your only running 20 amps to each leg instead of 50 amps each circuit. 20 amp circuit delivers 2400 watts (120 volt X 20 amp) vs 50 amp delivers 6,000 watts (120 v X 50 amp) is the difference in the power on each leg of power. On a 50 amp RV you have 2 X 50 amp (12,000 watts).
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Old 06-24-2016, 09:46 AM   #18
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It's wired with just one AC and the converter on leg 2, everything else is on the other leg. Just sitting at the house, I can't see myself ever needing more than 30A, but the double would eliminate messing with an adapter. The most I would run is one AC, water heater on propane, and possibly TV and microwave on rare occasions. For relatively minimal extra cost, though, 50A will probably work better.
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Old 06-24-2016, 12:57 PM   #19
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It's wired with just one AC and the converter on leg 2, everything else is on the other leg. Just sitting at the house, I can't see myself ever needing more than 30A, but the double would eliminate messing with an adapter. The most I would run is one AC, water heater on propane, and possibly TV and microwave on rare occasions. For relatively minimal extra cost, though, 50A will probably work better.
You are wise to install 50 amp.
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Old 06-24-2016, 01:31 PM   #20
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FWIW I installed a 30AMP and I have not had any issues with the A/C, water heater or other power. The 50AMP wire was a lot more expensive for the run I had to make compared to the 30AMP. Make sure you wire it correctly or you will fry your coach.
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