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07-29-2008, 10:52 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Golden Valley
Posts: 397
M.O.C. #8010
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30 vs 50 amp at campground
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
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07-29-2008, 11:01 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
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None.
If you only have 30A service, there is no additional advantage to 50A.
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07-29-2008, 12:32 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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As Brad Said NOPE.
At some camp grounds you pay extra for using the 50 amp service.
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07-29-2008, 12:57 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,144
M.O.C. #1920
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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.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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07-29-2008, 01:06 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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Quote:
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
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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.
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07-29-2008, 01:24 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Golden Valley
Posts: 397
M.O.C. #8010
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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
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07-29-2008, 03:25 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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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.
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07-29-2008, 03:41 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Ditto Glenn.
Orv
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07-29-2008, 05:06 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
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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.
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08-12-2008, 08:23 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Marshfield
Posts: 158
M.O.C. #886
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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.
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08-13-2008, 12:46 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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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.
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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08-16-2008, 06:56 AM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Florissant
Posts: 72
M.O.C. #7838
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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
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08-16-2008, 07:02 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Quote:
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
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That's why we like the Surge Guard. It protects the rig when the voltage is too low or too high.
Orv
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