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09-26-2010, 06:19 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Casa Grande
Posts: 5,369
M.O.C. #6333
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Pedestal Power
I have a question about park pedestal power. When I see a pedestal with a 50 amp plug, a 30 amp plug and one or two 20 amp plugs can I expect 50 amps, 30 amps and 20 amps for a total of 100 amps or is the pedestal limited to 50 amps and divided by the plugs???? Is there a way I could check with a multimeter?
Many 1000 Trails parks have 30 amp power but usually have a 20 plug also. I would like to use the 30 amp for main AC and runa seperate line to the 20 amp for the LR AC. Is this possible? What say you electricians?????? 
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09-27-2010, 02:37 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location:
Posts: 992
M.O.C. #7128
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Well Pardner, the multimeter will indicate the voltage and if you have, on the meter the capabilities, to read amphere's, then you can see what load you are pulling with your rig. The size of the wire from the distribution center to the pedestal will be the best indicator of how much load is intended for that pedestal. This will be difficult to see. I have often had the same thought, is this pedestal good for a 100 AMPs or 50 AMPs or is it good only for the the highest rated plug in the box. And this is MHO.
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09-27-2010, 02:42 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Winthrop Harbor
Posts: 1,831
M.O.C. #8160
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I have seen an adopter that plugs into the 30 and the 20 amp receptacles and go to a 50 amp plug for the RV. The claim is that it will give you a total of 50 amps available for your rig. I don't know if they work but would be interested in finding out. If it's true than I will but one for Florida which only offers a 20 and a 30.
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09-27-2010, 02:43 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location:
Posts: 992
M.O.C. #7128
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I failed to say, I have asked at a couple of camp grounds, that question, really never got a clear and definate answer.
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09-27-2010, 03:54 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,376
M.O.C. #6575
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I believe it will only be limited by the size of the wire. Seems it would require #2 copper wire. If you are right off the meter maybe; RV park pedestal, I doubt it. JMHO
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09-27-2010, 04:17 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,159
M.O.C. #6433
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Not likely they would run wire large enough to run the 50, 30, and 20 simultaneously at full load. Not something they would expect or plan for. If they only have 30 and 20, then maybe.
I seem to remember someone posting once about finding out that the 30 and 20 were wired as subs off the 50 at some park they were at. Don't know if that is typical or not.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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09-27-2010, 08:55 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I have been told that the connectors are provided as a convenience and may not all support being connected and used at full amperage. What I was told is that you can connect all of them, but if the breakers get reset, then you'll get your answer. The determining factor is the power pedestal itself whether they have run enough power to the pedestal or not, just like BB_TX mentions. I have since read this, too but don't remember where.
A multimeter will just show that there is voltage but not how much amperage all of them will support concurrently.
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09-27-2010, 09:21 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Eastern
Posts: 1,155
M.O.C. #7270
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Phil The campground we are at has a 30a and 20a in the ped but they come off of a 30amp main with #10 wire. most of them are like this. the one you are looking at will most likely be on a 50amp main with #8 wire. Most cgs that have all 3 plugs still come off a 50amp main. I use both plugs but still have to watch amp draw as I have triped the main before.JMHO
bobby
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09-27-2010, 03:22 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dubuque
Posts: 190
M.O.C. #8421
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Phil I do what you are proposing quite oftne except I use the 20 amp to run a heater or the microwave. Most of the time it works better than just the 30 Amp. Once, in a while it still trips the breaker just as quickly. I think they not consistently wired the same.
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09-28-2010, 12:43 AM
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#10
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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 c214dick
I have seen an adopter that plugs into the 30 and the 20 amp receptacles and go to a 50 amp plug for the RV. The claim is that it will give you a total of 50 amps available for your rig. I don't know if they work but would be interested in finding out. If it's true than I will but one for Florida which only offers a 20 and a 30.
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They work very well, except if the CG pedestal receptacles are GFI. Then it will not work. I had one that I used exclusively when parked in older city and county parks that did not have GFI breakers.
Orv
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09-28-2010, 02:21 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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C214dick,
Orv mentioned the specifics regarding the "cheater box" and the GFCI outlet. I have one of these devices and have had it for five years now. I have yet to find a park pedestal that will allow it's use. Every 20 amp receptacle at every park we have stayed at has been GFCI protected. My advice is to not even waste the funds on the possibility that you may stay at a park old enough for it to function properly.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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