50amp camper

[spock123]

This the question, I need help. This is something I have never gave much thought. When I’m hooked up to 50amp what I really have is 50 amps on each line for a total of 100amps. When I hook up to 30amps that doesn’t mean that I have 30amps on each line for a total of 60 amps. I think I have 30amps on two lines total.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by spock123

This the question, I need help. This is something I have never gave much thought. When I’m hooked up to 50amp what I really have is 50 amps on each line for a total of 100amps. When I hook up to 30amps that doesn’t mean that I have 30amps on each line for a total of 60 amps. I think I have 30amps on two lines total.

No. It doesn't. 30 amps X 120 volts = 3,600 total watts.

However, 50 amps X 2 x 120 volts = 120,000 total watts (but in split phase)

There aren't two legs on a 30 amp circuit.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by spock123

This the question, I need help. This is something I have never gave much thought. When I’m hooked up to 50amp what I really have is 50 amps on each line for a total of 100amps. When I hook up to 30amps that doesn’t mean that I have 30amps on each line for a total of 60 amps. I think I have 30amps on two lines total.

That is correct Sir. Your adapter splits the 30A input to both 50A legs of your service cable. That’s why you can run either of your A/C units but if you try to run both you will run out of Amps.

It’s been many years since we have communicated. Just curious as to how your independant suspension is working out?

[CedarCreekWoody]

Yes, Spock, you have it correct. 30 amps total on all of your 120 volt circuits.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

No. It doesn't. 30 amps X 120 volts = 3,600 total watts.

However, 50 amps X 2 x 120 volts = 120,000 total watts (but in split phase)

There aren't two legs on a 30 amp circuit.

Just to clarify the typo above, that's supposed to be 12,000 total watts.


Here is a link to a site I like to use that explains the differences between a 50 amp 120/240 volt split phase service and a 30 amp 120 volt service. It also explains the adapter that will share/jump the single L1 hot leg of a 30 amp outlet to both the L1 and L2 sides of a 50 amp RV, so that everything is powered, albeit just at a total of 30 amps.


https://www.rvtechmag.com/electrical/chapter3.php


And here are a couple of my favorite schematics that show how this 30 amp L1 is jumped/shared over to the L1 and L2 lines of a 50 amp RV. Sometimes it's easier to see a picture to understand it. I prefer not to use the word "split" in this instance as it can be confusing a little, and like the terminology of shared/jumped to save any confusion.