30 vs 50 amp at campground

[jackandh2o]

Our Mountaineer has 30 amp service. Is there any advantage to hooking up to a 50 amp plug,if available and using the adapter at a campground.

Thanks
Ray

[bsmeaton]

None.

If you only have 30A service, there is no additional advantage to 50A.

[H. John Kohl]

As Brad Said NOPE.
At some camp grounds you pay extra for using the 50 amp service.

[rames14]

We have 50 amp service and usually carry only a 30 amp power cable with us to save weight. The only time that I will change this is when it is very cold. We run two ceramic heaters plus the fireplace which can kick out the 30 amp circuit.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

quote:Originally posted by jackandh2o

Our Mountaineer has 30 amp service. Is there any advantage to hooking up to a 50 amp plug,if available and using the adapter at a campground.

Thanks
Ray

NO, If your rig is 30AMP than that is all you can use. There is no advantage to hooking up to a 50AMP. Even with my 50AMP rig 95% of the time I adapt down to a 30AMP unless I see a need for the second AC. Hate getting that 50AMP Black Anaconda out anymore than I absolutely have to.
Some CGs do charge for 50AMP service. No point paying Xtra if you can't use it or don't need it.

[jackandh2o]

Thanks all. I have read much about low power at some campgrounds I thought it might make a difference.
As you can see I'm not a retired electrician.

Thanks again for the input.

Ray

[Glenn and Lorraine]

If you are concerned about low power get yourself a Hughes AutoFormer.
Many of the MOCers swear by them. Especially those of us that nearly lost their AC due to low park voltage. The 30AMP will run you around from $350 to $400 but they are well worth the price.
There are a couple other brands out there but none compare to the Hughes.

[ols1932]

Ditto Glenn.

Orv

[stiles watson]

Good advice from all. There are a couple of issues to guard against. One is a power surge on a grand scale, such as a near lightening strike or a major supply event. That is handled with a surge protection device. MOCers use different types of surge protection.

The other problem is either low or high voltage, i.e., voltage below 104 or above 136. Either condition can harm your equipment. Some devices combine surge protection with automatic shut off (for when the extremes are reached). These devices don't usually boost low voltage.

The Hughes Autoformer boost low voltage up to 10 or 15%. This protects you from low voltage. The Hughes also has some level of surge protection.

Some of us use these devices in tandem. I use a Hughes Autoformer connected to the campground service. Next, I use surge protection and automatic low/high shut-off device plugged into the autoformer, then the service cord from the shut-off device to the Montana.

If I get low voltage from the CG post, the autoformer boosts it. But if the voltage is so low it can't be boosted enough, then the shut-off shuts it all down. If the voltage is too hot 136+ then it is shut off.

If I get a spike, the surge protection is fried and must be repaired/replaced, it did its job. If I get a direct lightening hit, there is nothing that will protect the appliances and electrical equipment.

[mobrownies]

Jackandh20,
In response to your original question, it depends on how the campground is wired and how much load is on each circuit. It is possible that if the voltage is low on your 30 amp circuit, that it might be better on the 50 amp if it is a different circuit. We only have the 30 amp and I have moved to a different site at several campgrounds to find better voltage. It usually helps to have a site near the source.

[Bill-N-Donna]

Actually there is an advantage!

If you’re contemplating the purchase of one of the adapters I find it’s very handy. I visit at least one campground fairly often where you have to share the electric service hook-ups. There are 50 and a 30 amp connections along with the standard 110. I plug into the 50 amp and use the converter plug in order to have an adequate electric supply. Most people use the 30 amp and this leaves no other option. The adapter has saved me many times.

[msieger]

We stayed at a Corps Engineers park in IL last weekend. I plugged in the surge protector and it said all was good. A little later the AC power tripped off. Went out and checked the voltage. It was down below 100 VAC. That voltage will make a wreck out of an AC unit and more.

Mike

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by msieger

We stayed at a Corps Engineers park in IL last weekend. I plugged in the surge protector and it said all was good. A little later the AC power tripped off. Went out and checked the voltage. It was down below 100 VAC. That voltage will make a wreck out of an AC unit and more.

Mike

That's why we like the Surge Guard. It protects the rig when the voltage is too low or too high.

Orv