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Old 09-12-2016, 11:51 AM   #1
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30A vs 50A

What am I giving up if I can only find shore power of 30A?
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Old 09-12-2016, 12:06 PM   #2
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What am I giving up if I can only find shore power of 30A?
Simultaneous use of a 2nd AC and maybe microwave. And maybe if DW wants to use the air dryer at the same time as the AC. i.e. it's not a big deal. Just know the few limitations.
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Old 09-12-2016, 08:09 PM   #3
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Not much since the weather is starting to cool down. But as others have said the use of both AC's at the same time and or the microwave and the AC or the hair dryer and the microwave and the AC. Oh yeah don't forget about the Electric Water Heater, switch that to Gas. If you have an EMS it will load shed to help cover things until the wife fires up the hair dryer.
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Old 09-12-2016, 08:15 PM   #4
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30 amp = 3,600 watts @ 120 V
50 amp = 12,000 watts @ 120 V

My rig has a 240 volt dryer, some also have 240 V cooktops.
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Old 09-12-2016, 08:29 PM   #5
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We can typically operate two air conditioners on 30a service. Turn off or reduce the charge rate of the battery charger. Drop one air conditioner while operating microwave, hair dryer, blender, etc.
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Old 09-16-2016, 03:54 AM   #6
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Lots of RVs operate on a thirty amp supply. It's not hard if you only use one AC.

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Old 09-16-2016, 03:59 AM   #7
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Same here except didn't need to turn down charger.
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We can typically operate two air conditioners on 30a service. Turn off or reduce the charge rate of the battery charger. Drop one air conditioner while operating microwave, hair dryer, blender, etc.
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Old 09-16-2016, 08:59 AM   #8
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What am I giving up if I can only find shore power of 30A?
You are giving up 20 AMP's?
And probably in a older campground with shorter sites.
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Old 09-16-2016, 10:18 AM   #9
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For quite a few years Winnebago has used an energy management load shedding system that allows two ACs to be used at the same time on 30 amps. It will not allow both to start up at exactly the same instant. If you want to use a high current device like a microwave it will shut down the rear AC fan then the rear AC compressor then the refrigerator, That is the shedding order on my Sightseer. It might be different on other models that have options like an electric/propane water heater.
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Old 09-16-2016, 10:31 AM   #10
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What am I giving up if I can only find shore power of 30A?
wdweldon
You have to learn to live with 70A less electric because 50A pedestal receptacles provide 2 50A legs/lines of 120VACA electric... (a total of 100A).
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Old 09-16-2016, 11:30 AM   #11
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For the most part unless it's really hot and you need two AC's you won't even notice it. When we stay at CG's that only have 30 amp, we have no problem using our Fridge, Electric Water heater or other misc appliances. We have the Energy Management System which will keep it from overloading, but you can easily see how many amps are being used and turn things off if needed. When it's hot we only use one AC, and when cold at night we only use one heat pump or the electric fireplace.
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Old 09-17-2016, 06:20 AM   #12
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You are giving up 20 AMP's?
And probably in a older campground with shorter sites.
No, he's giving up 70 amps.

1 leg at 30 amps vs 2 legs at 50 amps each.
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Old 09-18-2016, 04:30 AM   #13
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No, he's giving up 70 amps.

1 leg at 30 amps vs 2 legs at 50 amps each.
Then why don't they call it a 100 AMP hook up?
If 100 AMP is what you get.
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Old 09-18-2016, 05:55 AM   #14
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70Chevelle is correct. It's 50A per leg. Your 30A system is 30A per leg, but you only have one leg. The 50A system has two legs, but it still is 50A per leg.
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Old 09-18-2016, 06:31 AM   #15
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Then why don't they call it a 100 AMP hook up?
If 100 AMP is what you get.
Because it supplies 50 amps at 240v. Each leg provides 50 amps at 120v for a total of 100 amps at 120v. But, as I said, it's a 240v supply so the amperage quoted is at 240v. The 30 amp hookup supplies 30 amps at 120v.

Your house main feed is rated the same way. Let's say you have 200 amp service, that's 200 amps at 240v. But if you break it down, it's 400 amps at 120v. Since the majority of loads in an RV and even your home are 120v loads people usually consider the amps at 120v, not 240v.
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Old 09-18-2016, 06:44 AM   #16
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...please don't tell him about "true" 240vs Vs two 120v single phase legs [smile]
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Old 09-18-2016, 07:21 AM   #17
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Smile

I liken this converstaion about the differences between 30a and '50a' akin to the building industry's '2x4' stud:
which is not actually 2" x 4" as you might assume, but closer to 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"

why? if you're not in the industry it's probably a lost conversation, but like the '50a' scenerio, it comes from years of terminology that trickles down to everyday usage... though it doesn't always make great sense to us 'normal' thinkers.

30a is only a total of 30a available to any and all usage within your coach

'50a' is a total of 50a available on both 'sides' of your coach: your breaker box will have a double-pole 50a breaker which divides what items are available on that specific side of the breaker ...

- one 50a side of the breaker serves items such as an air conditioner, microwave, electric water heater, some lights, some 110v outlets, etc.
- the OTHER side of the breaker serves the other air conditioner, refrigerator, tvs, slides outs, engine block heater, some lights, some 110v outlets, etc.

... so, in essence, you have a maximum of 100a for your coach, which is 70a greater than the 30a option. In temperate weather, 30a is probably satisfactory for most coaches, even the larger ones, but when the a/c units and heat is needed, sometimes 100a is required in order to maintain all the other electric needs while these are functioning(especially during the hot summer months)...

When you have the 50a double-pole breaker trip, though, it means that one SIDE of your usage exceeded the 50a maximum - such as when you run the a/c unit, have the electric water heater element on, and turn on the microwave, all while several tvs and receivers are working, and two iPhones and several devices are all charging on 110v outlets.
Most of the time, high voltage/amperage devices cause these tripping issues, like using a toaster, or electric heaters.

When you reduce down to 30a service, you have to be aware of what items are being used, especially if needing to use an air conditioner. The more you are in these situations, the more you learn about how to manage it - turn the a/c off when using the toaster, etc.

One thing to also consider as part of the mix: your 'Shore Max' setting on your Inverter/Charger unit/panel. This setting tells the Charger how much amperage(amps) you are willing to allow the Charger to use to charge the batteries while you are on Shore power, or even on the Generator. The higher the amps you allow, the LESS room you have for air conditioners, microwave, heaters, etc. before you possibly trip the shore power's breaker, or the generator breaker(even worse).

If I am plugged into 50a shore power, I can set the 'Shore Max' setting to a higher number, such as 50a, because I have a total of 100a possible, though i can lower this setting, such as 10a, during summer Hot months when both a/c's are needed. This keeps the coach breakers from tripping. A higher 'Shore Max' setting basically allows the Charger to more quickly recharge your batteries... which may not always be your priority.

If I am plugged into 30a shore power, I set it much lower, to either 10a or even 5a so that I have more available power for the other items in the coach, especially if an a/c unit is needed.

If I am plugged into a reducer to 110v/20a(or even 15a) residential outlet, I set it on 5a, or even turn the Charge OFF in order to let all of the available power be used within the coach - even this residential outlet can power an a/c unit if worked properly, and very little else is used: turn off the electric water heater, all devices charging, etc.. and don't use the microwave while the a/c is running. The length of any additional power cord is also a consideration.

so much to think about, but you get used to it the more you travel and the more 'situations' you are in - such as when dry camping, or on a residential outlet.
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Old 09-18-2016, 07:48 AM   #18
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Let me add two pictures, it may help.
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Old 09-18-2016, 09:17 AM   #19
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Then why don't they call it a 100 AMP hook up?
If 100 AMP is what you get.
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No matter what they call it you can/will get up to 100A from a 50A pedestal receptacle.

Here's WHY: The 50-amp 120/240-volt 3 pole 4
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