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02-24-2013, 01:53 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Green Valley
Posts: 174
M.O.C. #13151
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50A vs. 30A
I'm looking for a long-term summer campground. However, most of them I see only have 30A service, not 50A. For our unit, would that suffice? We have two A/C's. Thanks
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Tony & Sharon Strungis / Green Valley, AZ
2011 Chevy Silverado LTZ HD3500 dually
2019 Montana FB3921
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02-24-2013, 02:39 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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If your pedestal has a 20a outlet, buy an adapter and have 50.
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02-24-2013, 02:41 AM
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#3
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Eau Claire
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #10907
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That can be a problem with the size of today's RV. In our campground the 30a loops suffer from breakers tripping on the hot summer days They're all 50a now but there are still occasional problems with low voltage measured by our EMS-50 monitoring system. Low voltage is not good for AC or fridge. I deal with this by keeping my generators handy cause I like the campground.
Best option is to check with other campers. If they have temp sites go try it out so you can get the scoop.
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02-24-2013, 02:57 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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The difference between 30 service amps and 50 amp service in a RV is 70 amps and that is a lot.30 amp service is rapidly becoming obsolete even many of the smaller units now are built with 50 amp service. We can get along on 30 amps if need be but it takes careful power management.In our previous Florida winter C.G just about all of the not used sites were 30 amp sites.All of the sites at this C.G have 50 amp service.We will not stay at a C.G without 50 amp service even overnight execpt in a emergancy.IMO it is not a good idea to stay long term in your type Rv with 30 amp service.
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02-24-2013, 03:15 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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From experience I can tell you that even with a ducted AC system you will need both when the temp gets over 90 degrees particularly if you have a lot of humidity. 30amps won't let you do that. In addition, when you use the microwave and are watching TV and the AC comes on be prepared to go out and reset the breaker. As Rich says, if it's going to be a cool evening and we need to stop then we'll use a 30amp and as Jeff says I'll always use my EMS. No way will I do it long term. Lately I've seen some Class A's with three AC units on the roof. Those guys will even stretch a 50amp system if enough of them get in the park.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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02-24-2013, 04:49 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,167
M.O.C. #6433
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It is going to depend on your location. We spend 2 1/2 to 3 weeks at an RV park in Colorado late June/early July. They only have 30 amp hookups. But that is all we need at 8,500' where the highs are usually in the 75-80 range and the lows 35-45. Most days we do not run the AC at all. Occasionally we will run only one of them if the wind is blowing dust in the afternoon.
During that same time period, home (in Texas) will typically be running 100-105. Could not stay cool with 30 amps in that.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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02-24-2013, 06:59 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Roswell
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #12028
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Bill is correct, its all about location. We stay in the same park as Bill, and seldom run the A/C, but 30amps is plenty in that climate. But if your pushing 90, the second one will make life much more enjoyable. I remember the days, without A/C, we survived, seemed to spend more time outside, under the awning, had just as much fun.
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02-24-2013, 08:01 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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I agree!
If you must use 30 amp, watch what you are running on it.
We have camped for a 2 week period on 30 amp with no problem but we watched what we ran simultaneously and we were fine. We didn't run our one A/C much. Have fun!
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DQDick
From experience I can tell you that even with a ducted AC system you will need both when the temp gets over 90 degrees particularly if you have a lot of humidity. 30amps won't let you do that. In addition, when you use the microwave and are watching TV and the AC comes on be prepared to go out and reset the breaker. As Rich says, if it's going to be a cool evening and we need to stop then we'll use a 30amp and as Jeff says I'll always use my EMS. No way will I do it long term. Lately I've seen some Class A's with three AC units on the roof. Those guys will even stretch a 50amp system if enough of them get in the park.
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__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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02-24-2013, 01:23 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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I am surprized you cannot find campgrounds with 50A,as that is quickly becoming the norm for larger fifthwheels and motorhomes. You can get by on 30A if you are careful, but running two ACs is a non-starter. That may not be good if you are in a hot climate. Be advised that Larry's suggestion to get an adopter and rig the 30/20 is not acceptable in many parks.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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02-24-2013, 01:47 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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We normally do not even carry a 50 amp cord. We have only one A/C so no worries there. We don't worry about "watching" our electrical load if we have a true 30 amps. By the way we have one of the cord reels from MorRyde and it works great. So far the 30 amps has been completely adequate for our usage. Dennis
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02-24-2013, 02:20 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dillon KOA
Posts: 1,291
M.O.C. #7445
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The Dillon, Montana, KOA park has only one 50-amp site, a short-term rental spot only, and it's not even available from the end of October through mid-April because of the winter water situation with that site. So, we have to make do with a 30-amp site and play musical chairs with our electrical demands. Want to dry your hair? Turn off the fireplace. Need the microwave? Turn off the hair dryer or iron. Coffeepot perking? Turn off the fireplace. You get the picture. In the summer, we can't run both AC's while we use the microwave and so forth. It's a constant juggle to keep from throwing a breaker. If I had a choice, I'd never stay in any place that offers only 30-amp service. But, sometimes you don't have a choice; in those situations, you need to be careful about powering up more than a 30-amp site can handle.
Carolyn
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02-24-2013, 06:41 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I don't believe we have ever connected to a 50 amp site. We only have one A/C and 30 amp has sufficed every time.
The only time I would look for 50 amp is if I got a second A/C. I have a 50/30 amp adapter on the end of the anaconda power cord and I have never removed it. Whether using the shore pedestal or the dual EU2000 gennys, it's the same cord with adapter.
In your case you'll have to pay particular attention that the second A/C is not used if you are connected to 30 amps or breakers might blow somewhere.
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02-24-2013, 10:22 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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We do not have a second AC so in 10 years never ever had a problem with 30 Amps
Next they will be installing 220V 3 phase in these units!
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02-25-2013, 08:55 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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If we fulltimed, we'd add the second A/C and the W/D, then we'd seek 50amp a lot more.
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02-25-2013, 11:28 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Wylie
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #9139
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A lot is going to depend on what you can and can not live without. I live in the Dallas area. I currently only have a 30amp connection here at the house. We can only run 1 A/C on that 30amp. In the summer there is no staying in the trailer. The A/C only makes the load in/out more bearable but not liveable.
Now in cooler claimants we can get by on 30amp. But we like to use space heaters. We can not fire both space heaters and the fireplace up on 30amp. We will trip the breaker every time.
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02-25-2013, 12:45 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We even put 50 amp service in at the S&B for the Montana. Yes one can get by on 30 amps but it is a juggling act. we have 50 amp service in the camper so we use it.
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02-25-2013, 04:41 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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X2. When we had the S&B we had it rigged for 50amps.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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