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Old 07-21-2006, 03:50 PM   #1
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We are being forced into a 50 amp service on our next motorhome and I need some education! If I have absorbed things correctly, we are looking at two legs of 110 vac - 50 amps each. Are these both on the same phase, or is there a 220 vac differential across the two legs?

It would seem that almost everywhere we go, we will be forced into using a 30 to 50 amp adaptor (dogbone?). What is this adapter really doing?

Does anyone have a website that adequately explains the 50 amp wiring concept?

Norm
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Old 07-21-2006, 03:50 PM   #2
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We are being forced into a 50 amp service on our next motorhome and I need some education! If I have absorbed things correctly, we are looking at two legs of 110 vac - 50 amps each. Are these both on the same phase, or is there a 220 vac differential across the two legs?

It would seem that almost everywhere we go, we will be forced into using a 30 to 50 amp adaptor (dogbone?). What is this adapter really doing?

Does anyone have a website that adequately explains the 50 amp wiring concept?

Norm
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Old 07-21-2006, 05:28 PM   #3
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I think all the answers you are looking for can be found in the following page of the RV Tech Library website.
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Old 07-21-2006, 05:44 PM   #4
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And another source here.
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Old 07-21-2006, 05:57 PM   #5
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Please don't look at it as though you are being force into 50 amp. look at it like this, your smart for making that decision. You can always hook up to 30 amp and enjoy 1/2 of what you can enjoy at 50 amp. The adapters work well, you just have to learn how to adapt your useage. With 50 amp, it's easy, just plug-in and play.
Been there done that.

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Old 07-22-2006, 12:44 AM   #6
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Be sure to include a good surge guard and voltage protection device for the electrical source like Surge Guard or equivelent. With the electronics you will have aboard you will want to protect them.
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Old 07-22-2006, 04:00 AM   #7
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New motorhome? Selling the 31Y?
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Old 07-22-2006, 06:37 AM   #8
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tderonne:
New motorhome? Selling the 31Y? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We will actually be trading it in - I don't want the hassle of selling it myself!
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Old 07-23-2006, 02:58 PM   #9
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Norm Newhall:
Are these both on the same phase, or is there a 220 vac differential across the two legs?

Norm </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Norm;

The legs of the 50amp outlet should be out of phase and come off a different buss. If wired correctly, you should see 240v between the legs.

If the legs come off the same buss you'll see 120v between the legs and this is incorrect wiring.
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Old 07-23-2006, 05:15 PM   #10
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A 50 amp service is 120/240 volt, same as the service in your house. If you were to put in a double pole breaker, you would be able to power a 240 volt appliance, like a clothes dryer, or a welder.

It is 3 wire, single-phase, mid-point neutral:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_phase

http://www.myrv.us/electric/index.htm

http://www.bobhatch.com/electricStuff/30to50amp.htm

What does a 30 amp to 50 amp dog bone do, and how does it work?
http://www.bobhatch.com/electricStuf...pter/index.htm

Why should you want 50 amp?

30 amp times 120 volts = 3600 watts.
50 amps times 240 volts = 12,000 watts, or
100 amps times 120 volts = 12,000 watts.
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Old 07-25-2006, 06:02 PM   #11
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If your new rig has an EMS it should detect when you only have 30 amp power (only one leg of the 50 amp cord powered) and behave accordingly.
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Old 07-25-2006, 07:08 PM   #12
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If the legs come off the same buss you'll see 120v between the legs and this is incorrect wiring. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think you would see 0 v between the legs.
You wouls have 120 V to neutral

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Old 07-26-2006, 04:03 AM   #13
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Yep, 240VAC between the hot legs if the wiring is correct, 0VAC if it isn't.

The reason this is important is that the neutral conductor will carry current equal to the sum of the hot legs. If one hot leg is carrying 40 amps and the other 35 amps, the neutral leg current would be 40 + (-35) = 5 amps if the hot legs are 180 degrees out of phase (correct wiring) but would be 40 + (+35) = 75 amps if the hot legs are in phase (incorrect wiring). In the latter case, the neutral conductor would be overloaded.

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Old 07-26-2006, 05:51 AM   #14
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We do a considerable amount of traveling and have almost always had the use of a 50 amp plug in.
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Old 07-28-2006, 11:19 AM   #15
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by alvinc:
If your new rig has an EMS it should detect when you only have 30 amp power (only one leg of the 50 amp cord powered) and behave accordingly. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Almost correct - but when using a 50/30 amp converter - that is a "Dog Bone" to connect your 50 power cord to a 30 amp service (Power Pole) the single 30amp feed is connected to both of the 50amp leads in your 50amp service cord. That way everything in the MH is powered but you only have 30amps available.

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Old 07-29-2006, 04:37 PM   #16
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For those of us that have older units with 30 amps, there is a relatively simple way to utilize the 50 amps available at most RV parks. For example if you have and need to operate two AC units and you have only a 30 amp coach. If anyone is interested I will be happy to provide details.
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Old 07-29-2006, 04:46 PM   #17
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NHVandagriff, Welcome to the forum!!!

Saw your other post was in regard to toad braking and NO ONE welcomed you!!

We're glad your here and I hope someone might ask you to share that knowledge...
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Old 07-29-2006, 06:05 PM   #18
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RustyJC
Not wanting to stir the pot but your explanation of amperes and phase is not quite how it really is.
The power supply companies supply either single or three phase power.I would venture to say that 100 percent of RV power pedistals are single phase,with a 110 volt circuit (30 amp connection and a 15 amp connection)or a 50 amp 240 vac connection in combination with the others.There is no such thing as single phase power being out of phase.
When using 240 vac power to most any motorhome which is setup for this,you are really using two 120 vac circuits feeding two seperate buss bars in the circuit breaker panel in the motorhome.These two buss bars are feeding the circuit breakers for the differant appliances. The neutral leg is to complete the path back to the pedestal.You do not take single phase power and make it 180 degrees out?impossible.

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Old 07-29-2006, 06:25 PM   #19
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Norm,
The bottom line is you will enjoy the 50 Amp. we enjoyed it so much that I changed my wife'snickname from "the California Babe" to "the 50 AMP Chic." you'll love it!
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Old 07-29-2006, 09:21 PM   #20
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ed Gardiser:
RustyJC
Not wanting to stir the pot but your explanation of amperes and phase is not quite how it really is.
The power supply companies supply either single or three phase power.I would venture to say that 100 percent of RV power pedistals are single phase,with a 110 volt circuit (30 amp connection and a 15 amp connection)or a 50 amp 240 vac connection in combination with the others.There is no such thing as single phase power being out of phase.
When using 240 vac power to most any motorhome which is setup for this,you are really using two 120 vac circuits feeding two seperate buss bars in the circuit breaker panel in the motorhome.These two buss bars are feeding the circuit breakers for the differant appliances. The neutral leg is to complete the path back to the pedestal.You do not take single phase power and make it 180 degrees out?impossible.
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