30 amp service

[jjwhite368]

We are making reservations for a BIG trip June/July and are having some difficulty. One place we need to stay only has 30 amp service. What will work if I use my 50/30 adapter and plug in? What precautions do I need to take?

[DQDick]

Unless you install a soft start type of devise you will only be able to run one AC unit. We found with our 2010 that we could run the frig, one AC, the water heater and a TV without issue, but once the microwave came on it was go outside and flip the breaker. Even with the water heater on gas it still was the same.

[team bradfield]

we camp at some 30amp CG's and our S&B has a 30amp outlet we keep it plugged in all year, even winterized we keep her plugged in. we don't have soft start on our AC units, so 30amp means 1 AC for us.

[Dave W]

Everything will work --- but not all at the same time. You need to learn what and when you can operate a gadget such as the a/c OR the HW heater


30 amp service is ~3600 watts
50 amp service is ~12,000 watts


We travel with both 30 and 50 amp cords and appropriate adapters and unless in a really hot place like Nevada or Alabama, that much easier to handle 30 amp cord is all we need

[Daryles]

Its all about power management.
You can do it.

[DutchmenSport]

The chart that Daryles posted above is a good reference. I have a 10 gallon water heater and it pulls 12 amps (according to my EMS).

We have always had 30 amp travel trailers and learned how to do "power management" many, many years ago. When our 50 amp Montana is plugged into a 30 amp only service, we simply revert back to our previous experiences.

Basically, the thing we do different with 30 amp: 1 air conditioner at a time. The water heater is on gas, not electric, and never run the air conditioner and the microwave at the same time.

We have electric space heaters and the electric fireplace. When temps warrant heat inside the camper and we are on 30 amp only, we will run one electric heater, and that would be the fireplace. The other 2 space heaters are powered by running an extension cord from the shore power connection and through a window of the camper. On 30 amp, we do the same thing when using an electric griddle or frying pan.

I think, as long as you run only one electric heat source or the microwave only with the water heater on gas, everything you do will be OK. The most that will happen is, you'll pop the breaker switch at the shore power campground post.

I think as long as you run only 1 air conditioner, and run either the microwave or one air conditioner at a time, with the water heater on gas, everything you do will be just fine.

Just remember, the most that will happen is the breaker will pop at your shore power connection. No biggie. Turn something of, flip the breaker and continue to enjoy the good life!

[RMcNeal]

Several of the parks we go to in South Carolina have 2 30 amp outlets in the post. I bought a pigtail that has 2-30 amp to 1-50 amp plug and I can run everything in the rig including both AC's. If you have that setup, you could do that but confirm there are actually 2 plugs. Otherwise, they make a 30 amp/20 amp to 50 amp pigtail which I also have. Read carefully if you get one of these. They won't work on a 20 amp GFCI outlet and will constantly trip the GFCI. It's basically useless for me.
I do not have the soft start for the AC's, so when on only 1 30 amp plug, I can run most everything but only 1 AC. I usually put the water heater on propane in those instances just to save some juice for the rest of the rig. I have a residential refer, so the water heater is about all I can run on propane unless we need heat.

[jjwhite368]

Thanks everyone. That is very helpful information.

I will print the chart and put it in my Montana for reference.

[rames14]

The chart above is for amps/hour? I am curious because we specifically use a coffee pot with a thermal carafe. It only runs about 10 minutes.

[Daryles]

I'm going to guess the chart is for running amps.
When an air conditioner kicks on it can jump to 50A just for a split second while the compressor spin up to speed. Then they settle down to their running speed/amps.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by jjwhite368

We are making reservations for a BIG trip June/July and are having some difficulty. One place we need to stay only has 30 amp service. What will work if I use my 50/30 adapter and plug in? What precautions do I need to take?

Everything can work, but probably not at the same time. I just booked a one year stay starting Oct at a 30A site. I do have the advantage of a hybrid inverter so I can allocate 15A on the non-inverted leg (only washer and dryer on that leg that we use, the AC isn't needed in the winter, one spare where converter used to be, HW electric off, use propane, fireplace off while doing clothes.
I dial in 15A on the inverter input and it can add up to 20A from the 6 Battle Born batteries for a total of 50A for the whole RV (1/2 a 50A service)
While I am writing this here is my usage with the only major load being the breadmaker.
The L2 0.1 is measurement error, nothing is on for that leg. A long way from 30A.

[whitesub93]

What about using one of these? Would I be able to run things at an almost normal level?
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Plug-Ada.../CAM55025.html

[BiggarView]

If you want to get your geek on, consider a load shedding product, properly set up... it will allow you to run your rig without paying too much attention to load conflicts. Want to run the microwave? It will temporarily shut down the A/C when you turn on the micro and then turn the A/C back on when finished with the micro. Works seamlessly in the background. (for a price LOL)

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by whitesub93

What about using one of these? Would I be able to run things at an almost normal level?
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Plug-Ada.../CAM55025.html

Under ideal conditions (more about that later) it will give you 30 + 15 or 20 for a total of 45 or 50. That is 1/2 of the normal 50A service. Some folks don't know the 50A service is 2 x 120V @ 50A or 12,000 watts. A 30 Amp post is 30x120 or 3,600. HUGE difference.

Back to ideal.
Depending on how that adapter is wired you may have 45/50 on one leg but that is probably not the case because a miswired post will cause big problems. Most likely it will give you 30 on one leg and 15/20 on the other.
Now that I have thought about it more, I would definitely NOT recommend that adapter, too many unknowns.
You can also find those kind of cords with two 30A male ends. Again, if the cord and/or the post is miswired you can get 240V in the RV and that may work or may be super dangerous depending on the coach wiring. I would not recommend one.
If you are a full timer, you could get a big Lithium battery bank (6 to 8) and one of the new Victron Multiplus 2's to give you 30A + 20A intelligently/automatically distributed across both legs. I have the older MP 1 so only have one leg powered but by moving a couple wires in the main panel I have all I need and a pair of Honda EU2000's to give me 30 more amps when boondocking.

[MORobb]

Don't want to highjack the thread, but have a question. I keep seeing:
30 amp service is ~3600 watts
50 amp service is ~12,000 watts

I understand that 30amp delivers ~3600 Watts, I am confused about how 50amp delivers ~12000 watts. I understand watt=amp X volt (3600=30amps x 120volts). That being said, I believe a RV 50 connection is really 2 30amps in a single plug. If that is true then a 50amp connection would make ~7200watts. Can someone explain how we get to 12000?

MORobb

[MORobb]

OK, I think I might have answered my own question. I think the difference is a 30 amp plug has 1 30 hot leg and a 50 amp has 2 50 amp hot legs. That makes the math work

Robb

[RMcNeal]

Originally Posted by whitesub93

What about using one of these? Would I be able to run things at an almost normal level?
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Plug-Ada.../CAM55025.html

I have that same pigtail. It's mostly useless since it won't work with GFCI on the 15/20 amp. Most places I go have GFCI receptacle or breaker, so it doesn't work. You're better off with a 50 amp to 2 30 amp adapter then use a 20 amp adapter on one of the 30 plugs. Still not enough juice but at least the GFCI isn't an issue and some places I go have 2 30 amp plugs in the pedestal. Even better.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by MORobb

Don't want to highjack the thread, but have a question. I keep seeing:
30 amp service is ~3600 watts
50 amp service is ~12,000 watts

I understand that 30amp delivers ~3600 Watts, I am confused about how 50amp delivers ~12000 watts. I understand watt=amp X volt (3600=30amps x 120volts). That being said, I believe a RV 50 connection is really 2 30amps in a single plug. If that is true then a 50amp connection would make ~7200watts. Can someone explain how we get to 12000?

MORobb

2 x 50A x 120V is 12,000W. I think you got that now. Rather than me trying to explain the dangers (I am a retired industrial electrician) I am enclosing an excellent post on this. Unfortunatly the pseudo diagrams are hard to figure out but his words should convince you NOT to try this. It might work 9 out of 10 times but on the 10th you kill your grandchild. Not worth the gamble!

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I have that same pigtail. It's mostly useless since it won't work with GFCI on the 15/20 amp. Most places I go have GFCI receptacle or breaker, so it doesn't work. You're better off with a 50 amp to 2 30 amp adapter then use a 20 amp adapter on one of the 30 plugs. Still not enough juice but at least the GFCI isn't an issue and some places I go have 2 30 amp plugs in the pedestal. Even better.

You might want to read the post I attached as a pdf to the op. As an electrician I can tell you that you are taking a chance.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

Several of the parks we go to in South Carolina have 2 30 amp outlets in the post. I bought a pigtail that has 2-30 amp to 1-50 amp plug and I can run everything in the rig including both AC's. If you have that setup, you could do that but confirm there are actually 2 plugs. Otherwise, they make a 30 amp/20 amp to 50 amp pigtail which I also have. Read carefully if you get one of these. They won't work on a 20 amp GFCI outlet and will constantly trip the GFCI. It's basically useless for me.
I do not have the soft start for the AC's, so when on only 1 30 amp plug, I can run most everything but only 1 AC. I usually put the water heater on propane in those instances just to save some juice for the rest of the rig. I have a residential refer, so the water heater is about all I can run on propane unless we need heat.

As long as the 2 30's are on opposite phases all good, if not, then problem. I attached an in-depth article pdf to my response later on to the OP.