50 AMP Service question - Montana Owners Club

scrowba · 03-12-2005, 09:34 AM

Ok, I searched the site and could not find my answer, so her it goes. Now that I have a 50 AMP service on the rig, what does that mean? Can I still go to a campground with 30 AMP service? Will this damage the converter? Will I have to be like Green Acres and turn something off before I use the toaster

. Be easy on me with your responses.

I'm new.

Chester · 03-12-2005, 09:44 AM

You can certainly still use 30Amp service but you will need an adapter that changes your 50amp plug to a 30 amp plug. They're very inexpensive! I have already bought the adapter for our new 3475.

You really only need 50amp service if you have 2 air conditioners or a washer/dryer. Our last Monty was a 30 amp service and we never had any issues with it.

BillyRay · 03-12-2005, 09:48 AM

no...the 50 amp is just an upgrade. you should have received adapter plugs to go from 50 to 30 amps for the campgrounds that don't offer it. if you didn't, it's a very easy and cheap part to pick up at your local dealer or walmart. the big differance with 50 amps is for an additional a/c unit...or washer/dryer. most newer and bigger campers come with 50 amp service now. it gives you the ability to run more items than with the older 30 amp or older yet 20 amp services. you will still be able to plug into those lower services, but if you ever do find a really old campground with only 20 amp service....you will know...because if you use too much electricity, then you will trip a breaker.

Parrothead · 03-12-2005, 10:14 AM

We have always carried a couple of the converters with us (in case you forget where you put it). Some of the state parks, etc. still only have 20 amp so it is good to have one instead of having no electricity. While the 50 amp may only be necessary for the 2nd AC or washer/dryer, it is also nice in that you can run the microwave and AC at the same time. In our 30 amp unit, we were always blowing something between the toaster, hair dryer, electric heater, etc. Now, as long as they are on separate circuits or in our case separate rooms, we can run 2 at a time.

BillyRay · 03-12-2005, 10:33 AM

thats when the generator would have to kick on!

Wordsmith · 03-12-2005, 03:59 PM

I have a 30 amp extension cord, so if I put the converter on the end of the 50 amp cord that came with the Monty, will I be good to go if I need the extension?

BillyRay · 03-12-2005, 10:33 PM

not sure exactly what your saying, but any time I've ever used a converter, I only plugged an item into it directly. you will not get that much power out. I maybe misunderstanding what you said, but I've never heard of doing it quite that way.

Montana_657 · 03-13-2005, 01:00 AM

I think we may have a bit of confusion here.... a converter hides in your power panel and uses 120AC to produce 12 volts dc to run 12 volt systems and charge your battery.

An inverter connects to a battery and makes 120AC to power a small appliance or two.

Wordsmith · 03-13-2005, 01:54 AM

I meant to say adaptor, not converter. Sorry for any confusion; it was an exhausting day yesterday. By adaptor, I take that to mean, it will attach to the end of the power cord that comes with the camper and plugs into the park power source at the individual site. I do have a 30 amp extension cord, which I have only had to use several times because some of the sites in a couple of the State Parks we visit have the power source very close to the street; perhaps they thought they were saving money by not having to go so deeply into a site. With the Montana’s connection being on the rear of the unit, that problem will only be exacerbated, and I might find myself in a spot needing the extension.

Montana_657 · 03-13-2005, 03:06 AM

I have a full set of adapters.. 30 to 50 twist lock 15 to 50 twist lock for a portable generater. This year I got a 50 to 30 because the 50 amp cord was too short. From here on in it's staying at home.

I can plug in to a 30 or 50 amp post... us the lighter 30 amp cords and hook up to the 50 amp twistlock. The two 30 amp cords weigh less then the 50 and are easier to handle.

I see no reason that Wordsmith can't attach a 30 to 50 adapter to the end of his 50 amp cord and extend it with a 30 amp cord to the power post. Of course you should only draw 30 amps... max for the breaker and the extension cord.

RonS · 03-13-2005, 03:45 AM

I did not like the additonal bulk of the 50 amp cord that came with my Big Sky, so I purchased a 30 amp cord which I just plug into my RV. Most of the camp sites we visit only have 30 amp service so this is what we use most of the time, even use the washer and dryer when only plugged into 30 amp shore power. Only trips RV breaker when using too many electrical appliances at the same time i.e. Hair dryer and coffee maker. We also try to remember to turn off the fire place when using the microwave.

Montana_2785 · 03-13-2005, 03:55 AM

It seems that there is a basic misunderstanding about what 50amp RV service is. Lets start with what 30amp service is.

30amp service is just that, a circuit that will support 30amps.

50amp service, however, is TWO circuits: a 30amp circuit and a 20amp circuit. The 30amp circuit is the same as any other RV and is sub-divided down into various sub-circuits to power outlets, microwave, lights, etc. The additional 20amp circuit (at least in the case of our Monties) is in place to support the second air conditioner and/or washer-drier. I haven't had a chance yet to check my own rig to see if there are any additional outlets on the 20amp circuit.

So, as others have said, if you don't have the second air conditioner or a washer-drier, then it really doesn't matter if you are plugged into a 50amp supply or not. You won't have any way to use the additional power.

That being said, on my vast list of potential improvements and way down in priority, is a job to add an outlet or two onto my 20amp circuit. I don't have the second air conditioner or washer-drier, but it might be nice to be able to plug an electric heater on that circuit if we are out in cold weather and have 50amps available...

Eric

Parrothead · 03-13-2005, 04:21 AM

I think I disagree but not being an electrical expert am not sure. I agree there are two circuits however I believe we are using both. There is a big difference between our Monty with 50 amp and our other unit with 30 amp so something else is running on the 2nd circuit.

Montana_2785 · 03-14-2005, 12:28 AM

Parrothead,

I will not argue the point. Espicially when we know that Keystone doesn't use a wiring diagram in the factory. Lord only knows what was intended vs what we actually get

The only way to know for sure is to isolate & test out each individual circuit and see which ones are connected to the 30amp main and the 20amp main.

Eric

jerryb · 03-14-2005, 01:39 PM

The outlet in the washer/dryer closet in our 3280 is on the 20 amp side and is the only outlet hooked to it, but it has popped breakers from an 1500 heater which shut down the tv which is on the 30 amp side. I may pull out the pin that connects the 2 breakers and shut off the 20 amp side just for kicks.

Thunderman · 03-15-2005, 01:01 PM

jerryb,
If your 5er is wired for the second ac and you have only one ac, you should have a 20 amp breaker with nothing on it. I used that breaker and installed a separate outlet for my 1500 watt heater. Used 12 gauge wire. Good luck!

Montana_657 · 03-15-2005, 01:43 PM

Hey folks... a 50 amp RV service has 2 each 50 amp breakers. Each side of the panel has 50 amps available to it. The wire is enlarged to hanle the current... I do believe it's #8 AWG but it's dark so I won't go out to double check. These 30 + 20 things people get hung up on are work arounds to get more power. They are not a true RV 50 amp service.

jerryb · 03-15-2005, 02:28 PM

I have a 50 amp service from the factory in a 2003 3280RL with one a/c and a washer dryer hook up, next to the breaker/fuse/conveter box is a wood cover over the main breaker which is a double like for 220, one is 20 amp and the other is 30 amp with a pin joining the two. The only outlet that uses the 20 is in the washer/dryer closet. I could remove the pin and shut off one to see what would happen but have not tried it.

Montana_657 · 03-15-2005, 03:00 PM

Sorry jerryb... it's not a true 50 amp service but a "workaround". I'm surprised the factory supplies such a thing, our 03 3670 RL has the true 50 amp service... two 50 amp breakers, supply half the panel each.

I would have thought better of the factory.. but I guess not...

Native Tex · 03-15-2005, 03:26 PM

I really do not mind the extra weight of the 50 amp cord because I really like being able to run anything and everything without having to work about tripping a breaker. Our Mountaineer had a problem with tripping breakers on a hot day with the A/C and Microwave trying to run. This was one of the main reasons we opted to upgrade so soon.

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