50A socket?

[MNtraveler]

Hey folks, what do you think of this electrical socket for plugging an RV into? It's at a relative's house that I'm going to be visiting, but I'm not there yet. This outlet was used to power and electrical kiln (for firing pottery), so is a high power outlet. The socket is marked 50A and 125/250V. The plug layout does not match the typical 50A dog bone. Could this be a 220 setup? (The adjacent electrical box does have both 30A and 50A breakers. Assume now this is wired to the 50A since I'm told it has the fattest wire, but will check on arrival.)




Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R
Nights camped 2016: 19; RV to date: 22

[wmtire]

That is an old appliance 240 volt service and has no ground wire. It is NOT to be used for your RV as it is currently configured.

Go to this link and click on the appliance service tab to the left, and it will be all explained, and what conversions you will have to make to make this outlet into a 30 amp 120 volt outlet.

RV Electric

[BBQGUY]

If used, you will hear a K-POW and many of the electronics in the RV will release their encapsulated smoke. Getting the smoke back in the electronics before they can be used again is quite costly.

[5picker]

DO NOT USE THAT PLUG!

As mentioned it is almost assuredly wired for 220v.

While it looks somewhat similar to a 30 amp RV plug it is not. (notice it has 3 FLAT slots) A RV plug has TWO flat one round and is 110v.

I'm not sure what amperage service your rig has but unless this receptacle is completely replaced and rewired for either 30 amps at 110v or 50 amps (4 prong) at split 220v, don't even attempt it.

[MNtraveler]

Thanks guys. I wouldn't use it would investigating and pre-testing it. The standard dog bone wouldn't fit it, when ch made me suspect a 220 line. I'll check out the conversions instructions. Thanks all!

[ShermanD]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Thanks guys. I wouldn't use it would investigating and pre-testing it. The standard dog bone wouldn't fit it, when ch made me suspect a 220 line. I'll check out the conversions instructions. Thanks all!

There will be three wires and if the plug was wired with romex style wire, they will either be a black a black/red tracer, and a bunch of bare conductors that can be twisted together to make a ground. OR there will be a black, white, and a bare. if it is piped, all bets are off, but you get my drift.

If it is fed from a breaker panel, the switch to a 30AMP 120 volt system is easy

Get a 30 amp single pole breaker, please don't just use one pole of the two pole breaker that is already there. AND get a 30AMP 125 volt DRYER RECEPTACLE. along with some white tape.

Disconnect the wiring from the existing breaker. put white tape on the Black/red tracer wire. Go to the other end and do the same. Install the 30 AMP dryer receptacle Hot on the left, neutral on the right, and ground on the bottom. Go back inside remove the two pole breaker, install the single pole 30 AMP breaker. Hook the black to the breaker, the red/black tracer with the white tape to the neutral bar, and the ground to the ground bar if it isn't already hooked up.

If you need a 50AMP 125/250 service, you will need to install new wiring.

It's actually a pretty easy job, just be safe and remember electricity kills.

ShermanD
45 year member IBEW Local 58 retired.

[wmtire]

Sherman, if they are going to go ahead and adapt this over to a 120 volt 30 amp outlet, then they really should just go ahead and install a true NEMA TT-30R outlet, and not a dryer outlet.

Is that possibly what you meant to advise?

[ShermanD]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Sherman, if they are going to go ahead and adapt this over to a 120 volt 30 amp outlet, then they really should just go ahead and install a true NEMA TT-30R outlet, and not a dryer outlet.

Is that possibly what you meant to advise?

You're correct. Senior moment

Dont waste your money on a twist lock though. Odds are your shore power plug isn't one and very few parks use them.

[MNtraveler]

Thanks, Sherman. I think that is beyond my reach and we would need a licensed electrician! Also it's not my property so I couldn't risk messing it up! 😰


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R
Nights camped 2016: 19; RV to date: 22

[ShermanD]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Thanks, Sherman. I think that is beyond my reach and we would need a licensed electrician! Also it's not my property so I couldn't risk messing it up! 😰


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R
Nights camped 2016: 19; RV to date: 22

Fall is coming sooner than you think so the need for air conditioning should end soon, especially in the northern states. (Actually it is a gorgeous early morning here, full moon, cool, and clear as a bell.)

If you don't have one already, get yourself a 15/20 amp to 30 amp adapter and just plug into a standard duplex receptacle. You will be able to run everything but the air conditioner an possibly the water heater.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by ShermanD

Fall is coming sooner than you think so the need for air conditioning should end soon, especially in the northern states. (Actually it is a gorgeous early morning here, full moon, cool, and clear as a bell.)

If you don't have one already, get yourself a 15/20 amp to 30 amp adapter and just plug into a standard duplex receptacle. You will be able to run everything but the air conditioner an possibly the water heater.

Thanks - we are headed to Virginia where highs are in the upper 80s and humidity 75-85%. We do have a 15A adapter too, but as you say, it won't run the AC. Fortunately the house we will be at is air conditioned inside!