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Old 01-29-2016, 11:09 AM   #1
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Is 50 Amp power better than 30???

My Rockwood runs on 30 Amp power. If given the choice, should I use the 50 Amp plug with a 30 Amp adapter for a more reliable power supply to the RV? I've heard people say this a more constant 30 Amps than the 30 Amp plug which may fluctuate, and at times be less than that.
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Old 01-29-2016, 11:11 AM   #2
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I did on my last 30 amp unit.
50 outlet 30 amp adapter


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Old 01-29-2016, 11:17 AM   #3
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I think the bigger benefit is that the 50A socket gets used (and abused) less, so will make better contact then the 30A one may...

A 30A circuit is designed to be used to 24A (80% of rated OCP) - A 50A circuit will have more available power; so if you're pushing the 30A to it's max, there may be an advantage to using the 50A.

Last thought - 30A trailers are more common, so depending on how the posts are wired, there may be more load on the 30A "side" of things, which could lead to less stable power - but that's very much dependent on how the park and post are wired.
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Old 01-29-2016, 11:25 AM   #4
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A Good 30 is all you need! 50 A adds nothing to your 30 A service! Youroo!!
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Old 01-29-2016, 11:48 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo View Post
A Good 30 is all you need! 50 A adds nothing to your 30 A service! Youroo!!
The key word there is GOOD!

True, a 50 amp outlet (through an adapter) won't allow your 30 amp rig to utilize any additional power that a correctly balanced, properly wired 30 amp outlet will... but in the real world, those pristine 30 amp'ers seem to be fewer and farther between.

I'll always take the 50 amp outlet if available.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:02 PM   #6
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When In Nashville last year I was plugged into 30 amp, about noon I was down to 102 volts.
Plugged into the 50 and was back up to 112v
My recent experience.


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Old 01-29-2016, 12:40 PM   #7
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IMO a 30 amp receptacle is better. A 50 amp service provides about 25 amps on each leg. So if you are trying to use one leg of a 50 amp circuit you are not going to be able to run close to 30 amps. When I tried running with one leg of the 220 receptacle on my generator it kept kicking the breaker. When I ran off the 30 amp 110 receptacle there was no problem.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:51 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Brewhedd View Post
IMO a 30 amp receptacle is better. A 50 amp service provides about 25 amps on each leg. So if you are trying to use one leg of a 50 amp circuit you are not going to be able to run close to 30 amps. When I tried running with one leg of the 220 receptacle on my generator it kept kicking the breaker. When I ran off the 30 amp 110 receptacle there was no problem.
I'm not sure this is correct. 50 amp service should provide nearly 50 amps on each leg.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:59 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS View Post
When In Nashville last year I was plugged into 30 amp, about noon I was down to 102 volts.
Plugged into the 50 and was back up to 112v
My recent experience.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
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X-4 Has always been my experience also. Places I visit, 30a s always browning out. Sometimes 95-105 volts. 50 amp doesn't seem to have that problem.
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Old 01-29-2016, 01:01 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by jgriffin7 View Post
I'm not sure this is correct. 50 amp service should provide nearly 50 amps on each leg.
This is correct, that a split phase 120/240 campground service is capable of providing 50 amps PER leg or a 100 amps total.

This is often misunderstood by many. These links may help out:


Electrical Tutorial - Chapter 3 - 30 Amp versus 50 Amp


Click the 50 amp tab on left for this one:
RV Electric

AC Electricity

Here is a good visual:

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Old 01-29-2016, 01:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS View Post
I did on my last 30 amp unit.
50 outlet 30 amp adapter


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X 2 also Later RJD
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Old 01-29-2016, 01:05 PM   #12
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There is not much benefit plugging into a 50 a source versus 30 a source if you have a 30 a RV and both sources are available. The thing you should do is put a surge protector between the source and the RV. That will resolve your concerns.
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Old 01-29-2016, 01:11 PM   #13
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When In Nashville last year I was plugged into 30 amp, about noon I was down to 102 volts.
Plugged into the 50 and was back up to 112v
My recent experience.
Was the 30 amp plug on the same post as the 50 amp. The reason I am asking is that the 30 amp plug on the post is supplied with power from the 50 amp wire. So you should not have had a voltage drop by using the 30 amp.
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Old 01-29-2016, 01:14 PM   #14
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Voltage drop on the 30 amp connector is most likely from the worn out 30 amp receptacle. Not making good contact with plug. 50 amp is used less and tighter.
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Old 01-29-2016, 01:54 PM   #15
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50 Amp

I may be missing something here but using 50 amp service means the breaker is a 50amp breaker. A breaker is a safety device to prevent excess current. If there is a short or wiring fault it will draw up to and including 50 amps before the breaker will trip. That means, among other things, your 30 amp cord may burn up and any electrical items that are in trouble may also catch fire..
Why would you risk your safety?
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Old 01-29-2016, 01:58 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Big bird View Post
There is not much benefit plugging into a 50 a source versus 30 a source if you have a 30 a RV and both sources are available. The thing you should do is put a surge protector between the source and the RV. That will resolve your concerns.

Not true read my above experience.


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Old 01-29-2016, 01:59 PM   #17
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Is 50 Amp power better than 30???

Quote:
Originally Posted by caper View Post
Was the 30 amp plug on the same post as the 50 amp. The reason I am asking is that the 30 amp plug on the post is supplied with power from the 50 amp wire. So you should not have had a voltage drop by using the 30 amp.

Same post for both.



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Old 01-29-2016, 02:00 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Strigflag View Post
I may be missing something here but using 50 amp service means the breaker is a 50amp breaker. A breaker is a safety device to prevent excess current. If there is a short or wiring fault it will draw up to and including 50 amps before the breaker will trip. That means, among other things, your 30 amp cord may burn up and any electrical items that are in trouble may also catch fire..
Why would you risk your safety?

Your 30 amp breaker in your camper will trip before all of what you say happens.


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Old 01-29-2016, 02:03 PM   #19
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I have found the same thing with the voltage. I can plug in to 30A and get down to 108V. If I then walk outside, move the plug to 50A with an adapter, the voltage immediately goes up. In the winter it doesn't matter quite so much, but in the summer, it sure does.
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Old 01-29-2016, 02:04 PM   #20
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Here's the reality of it. When you plug your adapter into a 50 amp outlet you may actually be using the other hot circuit that you don't see on the 30 amp outlet. Entirely possible for it to be better. Depends on how rhe post is wired. May help in some places, no difference in others.
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