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Old 11-10-2016, 02:50 PM   #1
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Possibly a dumb question

We have a dedicated 30 amp RV circuit and we traded in our travel trailer for a 50 amp fifth wheel. the new camper a Keystone Cougar x-lite only has one AC. I understand that I can run that one day she also 30 amp circuit, am I correct? We do plan to upgrade our circuitry 250 amp in the future. we are bringing the new camper home on Saturday and camp in our driveway the first night. If we don't run the microwave, just AC and lights couldn't we use our 30 amp hookup?
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Old 11-10-2016, 03:05 PM   #2
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Should be no problem at all. Just need to get a 30 amp to 50 amp plug adapter.
You should be able to run ac and a few appliances along with ac if needed. Biggest draw is your ac and microwave. Probably run both with no problem.
Almost everything else is 12 volt and won't draw much power.
Our Lexi is 30 amp, and we've run ac and microwave, lights, tv, fridge, at the same time and haven't had a problem. Breaker will trip if I add a coffee maker, or wife runs a hair dryer, but only if micro wave is on. But how often do you run all that stuff at the same time?
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Old 11-10-2016, 04:22 PM   #3
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On 30amp, I generally say that you get 2 high use appliances (A/C or electric appliances that make heat). When you're ready for #3, you need to turn off one of the first appliances.
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Old 11-10-2016, 04:57 PM   #4
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Thanks for the replies. That was pretty much what we were thinking. We only use the microwave to heat pancake syrup. I just want to spend the first night in the driveway to get a good feel for it. We do plan on upgrading to a 50 amp pedestal. We just need to swap out the breaker and connection.
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Old 11-10-2016, 05:05 PM   #5
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We do plan on upgrading to a 50 amp pedestal. We just need to swap out the breaker and connection.
It's a little more complicated than that. A 50 amp is 120/240 volt split phase and has four wires total as compared to three wires total for the 30 amp.

You will also need to use the correct gauge wire for the 50 amp.

Here is a link to a great site. It has a lot of tabs on the left to help in the understanding of RV electrical.... as well as testing outlets before plugging in ( a good habit to get into if you don't have an EMS).

It also has some pdf files you can print out, to show how to install 30 and 50 amp outlets.

You can just bookmark this site link below and peruse at your leisure. Maybe while camping in the driveway. LOL

RV Electric
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Old 11-10-2016, 05:11 PM   #6
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Here is another good link to help in the difference between your previous 30 amp RV and your new 50 amp one. It also touches on the adapter and connecting to 30 amp power supplies.


Electrical Tutorial - Chapter 3 - 30 Amp versus 50 Amp
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Old 11-10-2016, 05:31 PM   #7
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Yes, I guess I should have stated that when we had the current rv set up installed, it was wired for 50 amp
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Old 11-11-2016, 01:53 PM   #8
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I accidentally bought 4 lead, 10 ga. wire when installing a 30 amp. Was happy I did.
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Old 11-11-2016, 02:14 PM   #9
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Buck, look at it this way...
Thousands of folks who have 30 amp service RV's run one A/C and everything else in their rigs all the time when connected to a 30 amp service. You would be doing basically the same.

It is when you try to run TWO A/C's and everything else that a typical 50 amp service RV has (when connected to a 30 amp service) where you will have problems.

Also keep in mind, even if you somehow turn on more appliances than the 30 amp outlet will supply, the circuit will be protected by the 30 amp outlet's breaker. Your RV is rated and protected to 50 amps so no damage will occur to it. The breaker will simply trip for the 30 amp outlet protecting that circuitry.
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Old 11-11-2016, 02:45 PM   #10
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Thank you all for putting my mind at ease. I was pretty sure it was OK. When we had the 30 amp circuit put in the electrician said he ran it for 50 to make it easier when and if we upgraded campers. I was a aircraft mechanic in the Navy. I leave electrical to those qualified to do it, esp 30 and 50 amp circuits . lol
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Old 11-11-2016, 02:52 PM   #11
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Install one of these.....



When I built my RV pad about 5 years ago I had this installed. They added a box with a 100 amp breaker and shut off switch next to the meter on the side of my house. Then they ran a line out to the pad and hooked up the RV box. Works great.
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Old 11-11-2016, 03:39 PM   #12
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Agree w all above.

A side comment: Our RV's are really two 50 amp (equals 100a total). 50 amp is available on each leg. That is why my dedicated RV hookup has side by side but handle connected 50 amp breakers.

Correct me if wrong.
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Old 11-11-2016, 03:55 PM   #13
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Agree w all above.

A side comment: Our RV's are really two 50 amp (equals 100a total). 50 amp is available on each leg. That is why my dedicated RV hookup has side by side but handle connected 50 amp breakers.

Correct me if wrong.


Yup. That is actually no different than how your house is wired.

240 volt ac systems are two legs of 120 volts across each individual leg to neutral... and 240 volts across the hots.

Some circuits in your home are 120 volts (using just one leg) and some circuits are 230 volts (using Botha legs).

50 amp campers are really 240 volt... it just so happens ALL of the circuits are 120 volts... using just one leg for the circuit. All of the circuits are equally spread across both legs to balance things out though.

When you use a 50-to-30 adapter, your available amps goes from 100 to 30, however all circuits are energized... so you can manage how you use them.
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Old 11-11-2016, 04:00 PM   #14
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Thx 325BH. You explained it better.
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Old 11-11-2016, 04:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
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Agree w all above.

A side comment: Our RV's are really two 50 amp (equals 100a total). 50 amp is available on each leg. That is why my dedicated RV hookup has side by side but handle connected 50 amp breakers.

Correct me if wrong.
Here are some schematics I use a lot in explaining 50 amp RV service.

The campground/or house electrical panel/outlet:




From the RV's power cord to electrical distribution panel inside the RV:





How the adapter jumps one leg over to the other leg so both legs are powered via a single leg from a 30 amp power outlet:

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Old 11-11-2016, 06:38 PM   #16
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Another appliance not to run with A/C on 30 amp, Electric Water Heater.

Take a look at the amp draws on the attached "Before you Blow Your Breaker"
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Before you Blow Your Breaker010.pdf (749.1 KB, 23 views)
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Old 11-11-2016, 06:47 PM   #17
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Another appliance not to run with A/C on 30 amp, Electric Water Heater.

Take a look at the amp draws on the attached "Before you Blow Your Breaker"
I have run my A/C and the electric side of the water heater every time we go camping during the summer where hook-ups are available. I have done this with several camper's over at least the past 30 years. All with a 30 amp service.
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Old 11-11-2016, 07:08 PM   #18
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I have run my A/C and the electric side of the water heater every time we go camping during the summer where hook-ups are available. I have done this with several camper's over at least the past 30 years. All with a 30 amp service.

Yup!

The demand of the a/c gets overblown a lot. The a/c only draws like 14 amps or so. Less than half the 30 amp service.

Back when I had a popup, I used to run its a/c on a 20 amp circuit in my garage. Everyone said you can't do that... yet they ignore that the a/c is on a 20 amp breaker.

Sometimes facts are rarely accepted.
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Old 11-11-2016, 09:00 PM   #19
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Converter, fridge, H/W and A/C all on at the same time you are going to trip a breaker. Best advice on 30 amp is to run your H/W on gas in the summer time.


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Old 11-13-2016, 02:46 PM   #20
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wmtire, I notice at most campgrounds that have a pedestal, they have a 50 amp, 30 amp, and a 20 amp. How do you connect to the 20 amp, is there a reducer? Thank you Al.
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