30 amp vs. 50 amp power hookup - Montana Owners Club

David and Jo-Anna · 01-13-2007, 12:36 PM

I've read enough posts about how much easier it is to handle a 30 amp power cord than a 50 amp power cord to persuade me to get a 30 amp power cord for regular use--although I'll take along the 50 amp cord when we full time just in case I get to some place where I need it.

Soooo-just what do I need to buy and how should I hook things up? Should I get a 25' 30 amp cord? Some other length? Can/should I get a 30 amp cord that has a 50 amp female end to hook to the Montana, or do I need a 30/50 amp adapter to hookup to the Montana? And if I need an adapter, do I get a simple, less expensive one with a regular 50 amp female connector, or do I need (and/or should I get) an adapter that has the marine type female end that one can lock into the Montana outlet?

And let me make things more complicated. If I go with a 50 amp Autoformer, how does that affect what cords/adapters I get, recognizing that at times I'll need to connect a 30 amp power cord to the 50 amp Autoformer which in turn needs to be connected to an adapter/cord that ties into the Montana.

Ouch--I'm getting a headache. What is it that you all do to handle this in a way that is much simpler than what I've tried to describe?

Glenn and Lorraine · 01-13-2007, 12:55 PM

Good thread and I will be following it. When I get my new Monty I will also be getting the 50AMP. My 04 Monty was one of the last with 30 AMP service.

exav8tr · 01-13-2007, 01:16 PM

David, My 3400 came with a 50 Amp power cord. I bought a 50Amp to 30 Amp short adapter cord for those parks with 30 Amp only. I also bought an adapter that goes from a 30 amp to 15 amp for those parks with 15 amp only. I am told that is all I should need.

I have read up on the autoformer, and, at this point, I question the need for it. I have also looked into surge protectors. I can understand protecting equipment but I need to know how widespread low campground power is before investing in autoformer. Surge protector is an absolute. The question is whether to hardwire or use a portable unit.

Too bad that the manufaturers don't offer these things as options and that they aren't knowledgeable enough to explain these things to you.

The real question is: Are we being TOO overprotective of our units?

Feedback Please!!!

Phil P.

2007dura · 01-13-2007, 01:45 PM

I carry a 25' 30 Amp cord and have the marine 50 to 30 that I plug into the back of rig. The 30 amp cord is alot easier to handle, and since I only have 1 AC has not been a problem. I still carry the 50 amp cord and have used when 25' wasn't long enough.

Montana Sky · 01-13-2007, 02:06 PM

Since I run 2 a/c's, I always use my 50amp cord. So far it has not been a problem to deal with, but does take some planning when the temps start to get cool in the early spring and late fall. I also have 25' of 30amp cord and the adapters that I carry with me as well. Both the 30 amp and 50 cord fit in my laundry basket that came with my rig.

Cat320 · 01-13-2007, 02:15 PM

We have managed fine with the issued 50a cord and, when necessary, the 50a to 30a connector. Also, as noted above, we have a 30a to 15a connector as well as a 15a to 30a connector...in case we need another A/C power source in the rig. If you are going to be FT, I'd get a 25' 30a cord.

Can't address the issues regarding all that sophisticated electrical stuff.

Parrothead · 01-13-2007, 02:39 PM

We only carry the 50 amp cord. Have the adapter to go from 50 to 30 when needed. Our original laundry basket bit the dust from the triple digit temps we have. We replaced it with a square one - no reason, was all we could find. Ed carries the basket to the back of the rig and only uncoils as much as is needed. Granted we do not camp in really cold weather and don't intend to. As full timers you may not either. It is nice to not have to worry about tripping breakers. Our previous rig was only 30 and we tripped frequently.
Happy trails........................

dieselguy · 01-13-2007, 02:58 PM

This is somewhat off topic, but "pparamore" the autoformer is well worth the money. I can't speak for the big RV parks along the well traveled routes, but I can speak about the smaller campgrounds in and around the lake areas here west of the Mississippi. On a hot day in the summer time when about everyone has clicked on the A/C, you can bet the volatage at your campground powerbox is 105 volts if not lower. Most of these parks are 30 amp anyway and have had their breakers tripped and reset for years which causes the breaker to grow weak. My autoformer has bailed me out several times. Fellow camper's A/C's will be sounding wierd and DW will be complaining about lack of cooling ... while mine just blows cold air.

H. John Kohl · 01-13-2007, 03:16 PM

I use the 50 Amp to 30 Amp adapter is $80.
http://reserveamerica.campingworld.c...d/skunum=12854
I have a 25’ and 50’ 30 Amp cord.

The 30 Amp extension cords are $30 for 25 feet and $50 for 50 feet
http://reserveamerica.campingworld.c...ds/prodID=4130

So total that is $155 for 75 feet.

The 50 Amp connector with 25 feet to 30 Amp plug is $130 and found on the bottom of the above link.

So buying the pieces seem cheaper to me.

If you are going to mount the autoformer in your Monty then it is not an issue. I believe the 30 Amp adapter feed both 50 Amp services in the Monty. If you put it outside then you need a couple adaptors.

I do not have an autoformer yet but mine will be mounted inside permanently. I plan on pluging and unplug it and the surge protector as needed.

I hope this helps.
Cheers,

exav8tr · 01-13-2007, 03:45 PM

Would I be able to use a 50Amp autoformer (hardwired) in a CG that only offers 30Amp power.? I'm totally ignorant when it comes to electricity and electrical things. Ask me to bandage a wound and presto, it's done!!!

Also In a CG with both 30 amp and 50 amp can I hook to both or just one???

See what I mean??? (ignorant)

Mudchief · 01-13-2007, 03:49 PM

Not all 50 amps cords are stiff and hard to roll up. The one on my 05 model was very flexable and easy to handle. The one on my 07 is very stiff. You might want to wait and see what yours will be like before you go and spend money.

ols1932 · 01-13-2007, 04:34 PM

Have to scroll across a half a page to read these posts.

Orv

c5racer · 01-13-2007, 05:38 PM

The web links are causing it.

JH Sechelt · 01-13-2007, 08:16 PM

I Bought 2 - 25' 30 Amp cords. cut the female end off of one and put a 50amp plug on it. In the last year, half of the parks we have been to the park power has been up near the front of the trailer. One 25' cord would not reach the rear plug in on our 2005 2980. I carry the 50 amp cord (always) and once last summer I actually had to use it. The only power the park had was 50 amp.

We don't have a lot of power problems up here in the North West, but when we start to travel down south where there is a lot of larger RV parks, we will look at getting a autoformer.

J&D

Craig A · 01-14-2007, 01:19 AM

I have two 25' 30A cords from my old rig, a 50A to 30A adaptor, two 25' 50A cords, and I also bought a marine adaptor to plug into the trailer that goes from 50A to 30A. I can handle about any situation. For longers stays, I will use the 50A, but for 1 or 2 nights stays, I use whatever is easier depending on the weather. The 50A is a bear in the cooler weather, but I don't get the converter hum when I'm on 50A.

richfaa · 01-14-2007, 05:03 AM

we normally use the giant 50 amp cord because we have 50 amp service and use it where there is 50 amp service..Over the years we have collected just about every adaptor and power cord you can think of and have a basket dedicated to all that stuff in the truck. We are ready to adapt to any condition.

David and Jo-Anna · 01-14-2007, 05:28 AM

For those like Rich who use 50 amp service with some regularity, is the standard Montana-supplied 50 amp cord long enough? What about those CGs that J&D refers to where the power pole is apparently near the front of the rig and a 25' cord is not long enough?

richfaa · 01-14-2007, 05:57 AM

We have not YET found a C.G where the 50 amp cord was to short.Of course we have not had this rig all that long and have only been in perhaps 20 or so C.G's. When backing or pulling into the site we do check, before unhooking, that all connections, Power, Water, Sewer will easily fit and the slides will open without banging on something. That can require some innovative placement from time to time.

Parrothead · 01-14-2007, 06:13 AM

David
We have only run into the front electric hookup once in all the places we've stayed. Ane we only had to pull up a foot or so to make it work. That was in Montana in a fairly new park. The electric hookup was not right at the street but back a couple of feet. It was a back in site and we initially backed all the way in and then had to adjust. Our previous rig had the electric in the back also and we stayed in a lot of places the 8 years we had that unit. Most of the places we've stayed have the electric pole at the back and that is why Ed puts the basket back there and only uncoils as much as he needs to reach the Monty.
Happy trails....................

skypilot · 01-14-2007, 06:21 AM

David and JoAnna: Need Oz to chime in on this one --- until then - some also depends on how your rig is set up; First, a 50 amp is really 2 - 120 volt circuits (at least on mine - I have no 240 appliances). If I use my old cord (from my previous unit - a cougar - that I modified to have a detachable 30 amp plug) I get power to the main room AC, all Kitchen items, and bath. The circuit to my BD AC, W/D prep and a couple of other wall plugs is dead. When I use the 'adapter' that came with my new unit, I get power to everything but find that I can not use both AC's at the same time (blow a breaker); can not use BR AC and Microwave - blow the same circuit breaker. So guess what I'm trying to say is that you can use (and we frequently do use) only 30 amp but we have to watch what we turn on. With the 50amp, everything is available to us and we don't have to worry about popping a circuit breaker.

One last thing -- I remember reading on the forum but a quick search didn't find it -- the longer the run from the power pedestal to your camper, the less power you get to your unit. If you have a long run use a heavier (guage) cord if possible.

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