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Old 04-12-2015, 07:30 PM   #1
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converting a 30amp to a 50amp trailer

Hello, I am adding another air conditioner on my TT and it is a 30amp trailer. A buddy of mine who is a master electrician asked me why I do not covert the trailer to a 50amp, he said he could look at it and easily figure it out. His first through was that he would replace the panel and some other tec stuff I did not understand.
I told him that no one at the dealer or anybody that I have talked to has ever suggested that and I did not even know it was a possibility. I have a 297 Palomino solaire ultra light.

Thoughts?
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Old 04-13-2015, 06:58 PM   #2
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No need to reply now, I took the trailer in for the 2nd air install and we are keeping it a 30amp. Costly to change it over for now, maybe later. Thanks
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Old 04-13-2015, 07:03 PM   #3
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No need to reply now, I took the trailer in for the 2nd air install and we are keeping it a 30amp. Costly to change it over for now, maybe later. Thanks
Can you run both a/c units at the same time on 30 amps???
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Old 04-13-2015, 07:25 PM   #4
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In our area, we don't use air conditioners for camping all that much. We do use portable heaters though. To cut down/eliminate tripping breakers, I added a second "shore power" connection for 15/20a service to my 30a service trailer. This second connection only serves 1 specific outlet inside the trailer and essentially gives me a total of a 45a service. The total cost was about $20. I don't know what a 13,500 AC unit draws, but as long as it's under 15a I see no reason why you couldn't wire a second AC to a second shore power jack as I did for my heater.
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Old 04-13-2015, 07:27 PM   #5
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Can you run both a/c units at the same time on 30 amps???
I don't think so. All 50 amp campers are usually double ac units and still have trouble running both plus other accessories.
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Old 04-14-2015, 01:02 PM   #6
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In our area, we don't use air conditioners for camping all that much. We do use portable heaters though. To cut down/eliminate tripping breakers, I added a second "shore power" connection for 15/20a service to my 30a service trailer. This second connection only serves 1 specific outlet inside the trailer and essentially gives me a total of a 45a service. The total cost was about $20. I don't know what a 13,500 AC unit draws, but as long as it's under 15a I see no reason why you couldn't wire a second AC to a second shore power jack as I did for my heater.
That is exactly what we are doing. I ran 12/2 from the bedroom vent to a closet and down the side closet into the storage bin area in front of the trailer, once the air is installed we will put a marine grade male plug with flip cover mounted outside under the trailer and then as needed I can run a 15/20amp heavy duty extension cord to shore power plug leading outside and into the available plug or into our spare genny. The 15k air draws roughly 16amp running and the 13.5k air draws roughly 12-13amps so all works great especially in 120 degree desert weather.
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Old 04-14-2015, 01:05 PM   #7
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Can you run both a/c units at the same time on 30 amps???
Nope not on 30amp, however by running the 2nd line solely for the 2nd air we can use it with a few options. If the park has 110 along with 30/50amp, if the park has 50 and 30 we run a 50/30 dogbone to power the rig and a 30/15 dogbone to power the 2nd air. If there is no additional power at the park The last option would be to use our small genny EU3000 to run the 2nd air and get a great night sleep. And on the nights where there is no power we are going to a hotel
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Old 04-14-2015, 02:08 PM   #8
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50A RV power centers use a split bus panel board. Half the RV is powered from Leg A, and other from Leg B. From what I've heard/seen, the main A/C is put on one leg with other low current draw devices, and the other leg will service other high draw items, such as a second A/C or an electric water heater, etc.
To convert to a true 50A, you'd need to replace the power center. It is NOT just a matter of putting in a 50A single pole circuit breaker.
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Old 04-15-2015, 03:09 PM   #9
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I have never had a problem running two ACs on fifty AMP?
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Old 04-15-2015, 03:15 PM   #10
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I have never had a problem running two ACs on fifty AMP?
And you never should! [emoji6]

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Old 04-16-2015, 02:00 PM   #11
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2nd ac

our camping friends, have a second unit in the bedroom, it was wired to its own box in the belly storage and then the plug is plugged into the 20amp circuit on the park post. ( most park posts have a 50amp 30 amp and a 20 amp, it runs fine for them.
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