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Old 01-26-2017, 02:48 PM   #1
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50 amp service..Yes or No...

Buying a new 8299bs. We upgraded the living room AC to 15k and no bedroom AC, instead we got a Maxxair fan in bedroom..Question: Should we get the 50 AMP service with 2nd AC prep ($250.00) if not having 2nd AC in bedroom?? Not sure if there is an advantage to having 50 amp service w/ one AC unite...Thanks...Dave..
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Old 01-26-2017, 02:53 PM   #2
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The only real advantage I can think of is the ability to upgrade to a second AC in the future.
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Old 01-26-2017, 02:55 PM   #3
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If you do not plan to get a second AC, you should be fine with 30A service unless you need the following.
1. AC and microwave running at the same time
2. More than one 1500W aux ceramic heater
3. Need to run AC or microwave and an electric coffee maker and an electric skillet or fry pan.
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Old 01-26-2017, 02:57 PM   #4
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Seeing how you are in Nevada you may want the 2nd ac but if you get the 50 amp and then latter you can add the 2nd air if you need it. Better to be able to upgrade than not. It would be to expensive to convert camper to 50amp later on. Later RJD
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Old 01-26-2017, 02:58 PM   #5
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Absolutely..
1...the 50a service is there if you decide to add a second ac
2...will partially help the value somewhat if you ever trade/resale, as alot of potential buyers who've done some homework., would be looking for 50a service
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:03 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paverdave View Post
Buying a new 8299bs. We upgraded the living room AC to 15k and no bedroom AC, instead we got a Maxxair fan in bedroom..Question: Should we get the 50 AMP service with 2nd AC prep ($250.00) if not having 2nd AC in bedroom?? Not sure if there is an advantage to having 50 amp service w/ one AC unite...Thanks...Dave..
If the $250 won't break the bank, I would suggest getting it now. The difference between 30 amp and 50 amp (which in actuality is two 50 amp legs for a total of 100 amps) is more than just a second air.

As has been explained, with the 120 volt 30 amps you are going to have to be selective about what you can have on at the same time (and thus things may have to be turned off) so as to not overload circuits.

With the 120/240 volt split phase 50 amp service, you have 100 amps total of 120 volt, and most everything is wired as to all function at the same time (thus you don't have to turn things off).

As a 30 amp RV'er myself, I can tell you that a lot of times I have to turn off the A/C to use the microwave.....or turn off a space heater if using microwave.

The $250 would be money well spent, IMHO.

These links may help explain it:

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

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:04 PM   #7
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Mistake to not get the bedroom A/C, when you want to watch TV, Talk or just about anything else the Living quarters A/C will override your hearing. I can run the bedroom A/C and unless it is extremely hot the entire trailer stays cool and you don't even notice the A/C running. Also it helps if you later go to sell/trade it.
Just my opinion...
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:12 PM   #8
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I wish we would have got the 50amp service, we would have installed the 2nd A/C last summer... It would also be nice for the ceramic heaters we are using right now, it's manageable but it would be nice not having to remember to turn one off to run the microwave.
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:29 PM   #9
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Definitely get the 50amp....you will never be sorry. Lots of reasons.


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Old 01-26-2017, 03:33 PM   #10
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Before you write the big check to the dealer for your new RV, what not put the second air unit into the deal. I did this on our last RV and the dealer installed the second air for nothing.
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:34 PM   #11
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We have the sister Flagstaff 8529IKBS.

Pros to 50 amp service:
1. As mentioned, having the 50 amp service (w/2nd A/C upgrade) will allow you to add another A/C unit should you ever decide.
2. When a 50 amp service is available at a campsite, you do not have to be as energy efficient.

The cons are...
1. Not all campsites have 50 amp service so be prepared to purchase adapters. (seems more don't than do but that seems to be changing as more and more 50 amp units are being built) When a 50 amp service isn't available, you will not be able to use both A/C's but you can use one or the other.
2. 50 amp shore cords and extensions are heavy and take up more room.
3. If you already own a unit that is 30 amp and have extension cords, plug in surge protectors etc. you will need to purchase 50 amp versions.

I will touch on another statement made earlier about the A/C noise.
We currently only have one A/C (15,000 btu) in the living area. Our Coleman unit is whisper quiet and we are not bothered by noise, awake or sleeping. It cools the 5th wheel to perfectly acceptable levels for us. Depending on YOUR situation, you may or may not ever need the 2nd A/C.
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:51 PM   #12
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When we bought our current 4th trailer, my wife said she really wanted two A/C units and enough power that we didn't have to turn off this to operate that. We bought a 50a trailer with 2 A/C units. 5picker's comment about "YOUR situation" rings true here. We live in Texas but have had our trailer from Ruidoso, NM to Goshen, IN. In some climates, we run one A/C unit only; in some climates, we alternate units based on our activities; in some climates, we really need two A/C units simultaneously. So far, I've been able to win 2 falls out of 3 with the anaconda power cord. We're happy we bought 50a w/ 2 A/C units.
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:57 PM   #13
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Spend the $250 and get 50 amp service. My 335DS has a single A/C and 50 amp service since the 2nd AC is an option. While those who say it doesn't make much difference with one AC are correct, its nice to not worry about whether you have 50 or 30 amp service and to pretty much forget about managing loads (AC/ microwave, electric hot water, etc.)

Heck the difference in the cost of the power cord alone is almost $100!

Get a 30 amp dogbone and you are all set!
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Old 01-26-2017, 04:02 PM   #14
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Plugging a 50 amp trailer into a 30 amp receptacle.....$10.00

Plugging a 30 amp trailer into a 50 amp receptacle....$10.00

Running all kinds of electrical stuff all at once because you wired it for 50 amps........priceless.
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Old 01-26-2017, 04:03 PM   #15
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Thanks for the feedback....I ran some numbers and decided to add the second AC unit for $700.00...here is what I came up with

Extra Maxxair bedroom...$210.00 Don't need now with second AC..
2nd AC prep..................$250.00 Included in AC price
15k AC upgrade.............$125.00 Stayed with 13.5 AC

$700.00 for second AC
$585.00 Savings

So for $115.00 difference its a know brainer....Thanks for the input......Dave.
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Old 01-26-2017, 04:04 PM   #16
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Were you camp most do they offer 50 amp plugs? I just ordered my first trailer with 50 amp service and two ac's. Most of the parks I go to only have 30 amp plugs. From what ive been reading and studying my second air wont get used much. its a good thing im in michigan and both ac's prob wont be needed often.
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Old 01-26-2017, 04:57 PM   #17
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Arrow

many say the rumor they heard is that you can't run two a/c units on 30a shore power...

but,

the reality is that the rumor is more UNtrue than not... here's why:

a typical 13.5k a/c unit needs about 12 to 14amps to start, then run, it's fan and compressor... that's less than 15amps, the size of it's breaker. since each a/c unit is on it's own 15amp breaker, then it makes perfect sense that a 30a rv park power plug CAN operator BOTH a/c's at the same time... good news when you get into a very hot situation and really need both!

but............turn 1 a/c on at a time, listen for the compressor to kick on, that's the moment when the most amps are required.... then turn on the other a/c unit.

also........... you'll be using 24-28amps with both a/c's running, so you won't have much additional amps for hardly anything else. you may have to limit yourself to maybe leaving the fridge on, and just about everything else off, even your battery charger if you have one. And don't even think about running the microwave.

.....in rare situations like the above, you can also think about using the additional 15a residential plug, if you have one on the power pole - carrying a 50' extension cord is wise, and running it into the coach can then allow you to run a tv, extra fan, etc... just in case

but,

it can be done... : ) enjoy[/QUOTE]
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Old 01-26-2017, 04:59 PM   #18
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Will be camping in Scottdale, az. for 3 wks in March, for Spring Training..Go Giants......Not sure if 50 amp service is available, since we have only used 30 amp...I'm thinking that the AC will have heater unit too...since we camp on the Oregon coast will be needing heat to..Not sure how many changes we can make to the order before its built....Will see.....Can't wait for new trailer.....Thanks Dave..
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Old 01-26-2017, 05:32 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by formerFR View Post
many say the rumor they heard is that you can't run two a/c units on 30a shore power...

but,

the reality is that the rumor is more UNtrue than not... here's why:

a typical 13.5k a/c unit needs about 12 to 14amps to start, then run, it's fan and compressor... that's less than 15amps, the size of it's breaker. since each a/c unit is on it's own 15amp breaker, then it makes perfect sense that a 30a rv park power plug CAN operator BOTH a/c's at the same time... good news when you get into a very hot situation and really need both!

but............turn 1 a/c on at a time, listen for the compressor to kick on, that's the moment when the most amps are required.... then turn on the other a/c unit.

also........... you'll be using 24-28amps with both a/c's running, so you won't have much additional amps for hardly anything else. you may have to limit yourself to maybe leaving the fridge on, and just about everything else off, even your battery charger if you have one. And don't even think about running the microwave.

.....in rare situations like the above, you can also think about using the additional 15a residential plug, if you have one on the power pole - carrying a 50' extension cord is wise, and running it into the coach can then allow you to run a tv, extra fan, etc... just in case

but,

it can be done... : ) enjoy
Please see emboldened in red above

Actually from what I have seen is many A/C's are on 20 amp breakers (mine is). The OP also stated he has a 15,000 BTU air conditioner.

Awhile back I asked for pics of 50 amp electrical distribution panels in members RV's. Several members did respond, and you can see the 20 amp circuit breakers for both air conditioners in the thread link below. Hope it helps.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ted-92216.html
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Old 01-26-2017, 05:38 PM   #20
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Absolutely yes. We have 50 amp and just 1 AC. We can run AC, water heater and microwave at once. Don't dare try that on 30 amp. We can use fireplace and additional space heat plus whatever else we want. Wouldn't even consider just getting 30 amp.
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