Benefits of 50 Amp service

esloser · 09-05-2015, 12:28 PM

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to RV'ing and looking to purchase my first travel trailer. I've been looking at Forest River Surveyor models 32BHDS and 294QBLE. The 32BHDS that I've been looking at comes with 50 Amp service and is wired for a 2nd 13.5k A/C unit in the master bedroom. The 294 QBLE comes with 30 Amp service and one A/C.

Besides the second A/C unit, is there a benefit to going with the 50 Amp travel trailer over the 30 Amp? It would be nice to be able to add the 2nd A/C in the future, but not sure if it's worth the difference in cost of the two trailers.

I've searched this topic, but didn't see the benefits of 50 amp over 30 amp - only questions around connecting 30 amp trailer to 50 amp campground service.

Thanks for the help,

Eric

gashog · 09-05-2015, 01:02 PM

2nd air conditioner is all that I can think off, so I believe you're right on track. As to adding a 2nd AC in the future, IMO pay the extra in the beginning, with my Windjammer I can't imagine not having two AC's..even though they are ducted...

bob caldwell · 09-05-2015, 01:07 PM

A person with a 30 amp service could do what Turbs did to add a 2nd a/c......If you camp in hot/humid areas, you'll find out why rather quickly.

mud yapster · 09-05-2015, 01:15 PM

50 amp service is 2 circuits of 50 amps each. 30 amp service is 1 circuit of 30 amps and can limit your usage of say, A/C and hot water anything else would trip the breaker. With 50 amp you can run both a/c units and everything else in your RV at the same time. Can't do that with a 30 amp service.

esloser · 09-05-2015, 04:00 PM

On the 50 Amp, is everything interconnected on the same circuit or is A/C, Microwave, and bunkhouse on one circuit and everything else is on the other? Can you overload one circuit individually?

dgibbs1955 · 09-06-2015, 12:25 PM

It is very easy to overload a 30 amp unit. As stated, you have to "manage" what is running for fear of tripping the breaker. I have had both types and would never go back to only a 30 amp unit. You would be surprised at the power you are actually using in your normal everyday activities. On a 50 amp unit one A/C is on each circuit and the rest of the coach is divided (usually front and back) between the 2 50 amp breakers. It is hard to overload the main 50 leg of that circuit. You will usually overload one of the feeders off that main leg..ie; the GFI circuit or your wall receptacles or something like that. If you are tripping that main 50 breaker, you have bigger problems than just overload...better to go big than have to stay at home...

Steven379 · 09-06-2015, 01:03 PM

I am of the opinion that the 50 amp is the only way to go. In our TT 30 amp we occasionally would trip breaker with AC and everything else running on electric. On our 5er with 50 amps we can run everything on electric without any problems. As to the second AC would not have another unit without 2 AC. We use both to cool down quicker but also had a trip where the main AC was tripping its breaker but we were able to run the 2nd AC and finish our weekend. Either way you go hope you enjoy it.

cfiowa · 09-06-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgibbs1955

It is very easy to overload a 30 amp unit. As stated, you have to "manage" what is running for fear of tripping the breaker. I have had both types and would never go back to only a 30 amp unit. You would be surprised at the power you are actually using in your normal everyday activities. On a 50 amp unit one A/C is on each circuit and the rest of the coach is divided (usually front and back) between the 2 50 amp breakers. It is hard to overload the main 50 leg of that circuit. You will usually overload one of the feeders off that main leg..ie; the GFI circuit or your wall receptacles or something like that. If you are tripping that main 50 breaker, you have bigger problems than just overload...better to go big than have to stay at home...

X2
Never will I go back to a 30 amp service and 1 ac.

2014 cedar creek 36ckts
2014 Chevy 3500 1 ton crew cab 4x4 long bed.

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

robbdrell · 09-06-2015, 03:49 PM

With 30 amp a/c or heater, add a blow dryer or micro it pops. If your purchase is on the long term side, then go 50. In Fl or out west in summer, a 2nd a/c makes makes being inside bearable. Ours 30 amp unit never shuts off in those locations.

elind · 09-06-2015, 04:01 PM

This is a topic that is like gas vs diesel. Once you switch over you'll never go back.

bob caldwell · 09-06-2015, 04:02 PM

Do what Turbs did, for a 30 amp service....add 2nd a/c to feed off a 20 amp pedestal, or split a 50.

Reb Kitt · 09-06-2015, 04:25 PM

50 amp service is the only way to go. The worst thing is that an inside breaker trips when you over load it like running a toaster oven, coffee pot, tv and sat receiver plus a vacuum cleaner all at the same time on the same gfci leg.

Best thing is being able to run both A/C units at the same time.

esloser · 09-08-2015, 07:26 AM

Thanks for all of the feedback - looks like 50 amp is the way to go. Is it widely available at RV Parks? Does it tend to cost more when staying at an RV park with 50 amp service?

grumpy0374 · 09-08-2015, 07:34 AM

If I had only one option I could have it would be that my class c Lexington had a 50 amp service option, so a second ac unit could be simply added.
Turbs showed how to add it as an after market add on, but it sure would have been nice to have it as as oe installed option
Grumpy

moparguy · 09-08-2015, 07:45 AM

I would like to have a 50 amp service and a second a/c but most of the places that we camp only have 30 amp service so it wouldn't help out much. We just came back from a camping trip and ran the a/c, TV, fan, 2 refrigerators and a blow dryer all at the same time without tripping any breakers.

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jeff64 · 09-08-2015, 07:52 AM

Has anybody tried out using a dehumidifier in conjunction with the AC to improve the efficiency. I've been considering one of the peltier types. They say it will remove 20 oz. of water/day and with negligible heat transfer to the inside of the TT, on the one I was looking at. Any thoughts?

Steven379 · 09-08-2015, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esloser

Thanks for all of the feedback - looks like 50 amp is the way to go. Is it widely available at RV Parks? Does it tend to cost more when staying at an RV park with 50 amp service?

That was my concern when we traded. I was surprised that most campgrounds and all the RV parks we have stayed in have had 50amp. A couple of state parks only had 30 amps but I have a dog bone to convert from 30 to 50 and just run the main AC. As far as cost I haven't seen any difference for the lower amperage.

whj77372 · 09-08-2015, 03:57 PM

The poster didn't say were he is from or were he RVs. If it is in the south, I would have 50 AMP only. In SE Texas you will require the two ACs. We like our two ducked ACs and I wouldn't want to be without them. Good Luck

esloser · 09-08-2015, 04:20 PM

I'm from Southern New Jersey and looking to RV primarily in New Jersey / Maryland / Pennsylvania / Virginia with some longer trips to Florida or North to Maine. It's the humidity that gets us out here. We get days where it is 90 degrees plus with 100% humidity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whj77372

The poster didn't say were he is from or were he RVs. If it is in the south, I would have 50 AMP only. In SE Texas you will require the two ACs. We like our two ducked ACs and I wouldn't want to be without them. Good Luck

Reb Kitt · 09-08-2015, 07:57 PM

In the event that you find yourself at a campground with only 30 amp service, (a situation that does exist as I found out this summer, but is going the way of the dodo), go to Wally World and get an adapter male 30 amp and female 50 amp plug and you will be good to go. Just keep in mind in that case that you can't run both AC units and have to think about usage.

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