Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-29-2013, 10:03 PM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
RV is 50 amps, RV Park Spot is 30 amps

What happens if the hook-up in the RV Park is only 30 amps? My guess is that I should just try not to turn on too many electrical items. Just curious from people's experiences what is considered a normal 30 amps load? (Fridge, TV, etc.)
jmraz73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2013, 10:07 PM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
sswilson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cobble Hill, B.C.
Posts: 62
30 amps will provide just about all you need unless you try to turn on 2 A/C units and microwave all at once. You could run 1 A/C and microwave but not all
__________________
Steve and Sheri with Archie (and Hiro, R.I.P.)
2000 Winnebago 35U, Ford F53/6.8l V10
F150 Ford and Vintage Aspencade.
sswilson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2013, 11:12 PM   #3
Winnebago Owner
 
vsheetz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 227
Quote:
Originally Posted by sswilson View Post
30 amps will provide just about all you need unless you try to turn on 2 A/C units and microwave all at once. You could run 1 A/C and microwave but not all
x2, what he said.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
vsheetz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2013, 11:36 PM   #4
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
So I'll be doing this this coming week when it's cold out, so I definitely won't need the AC.

Will 30 amps be sufficient to run all the appliances and multiple TVs if the AC is off?

Just trying to get a handle on how much 30 amps actually is.
jmraz73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2013, 11:43 PM   #5
Winnebago Owner
 
JohnRR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Marquette, Michigan "Da UP"
Posts: 219
Barring any systems that do not operate properly you should have no problem.
__________________
John & Cathy R.
06 Pace Arrow 38L W24
08 Lincoln MKX AWD
See My RV Upgrades
JohnRR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2013, 11:58 PM   #6
Winnie-Wise
 
SuperGewl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 477
It would be real nice to have you fill out your Signature with your coach info in it so we can help you better.
Now that said, if you don't have a 100% electric coach, that is unless the heat is Aqua Hot and uses diesel you should be OK. If you have Heat pumps like I do and the temp is not too cold then you can still get by as long as the EMS is working correctly. I have stayed at sites with 30 amp and still ran both AC's without any problem as long as the EMS does its job. Its a little chilly now so as long as you don't have a bunch of electric heaters going on full blast. You will do just fine, maybe
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
SuperGewl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 12:04 AM   #7
Winnebago Owner
 
njs42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Federal Way, Wa.
Posts: 97
We have been on 30 amps a few times and made no adjustments to speak of. It was warmer then as we travel to warmer place in the winter. You made the assessment yourself correctly. You just may, and its a big may, have to cut back on an appliance or stagger the usage.
__________________
I do all my own stunts
03 Dolphin LX 6355, Workhorse W22, 8.1 vortec, 04 CR-V, Blue Ox, Brake Pro----Norm, Barb and
Doc(He's a PhD)
njs42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 09:07 AM   #8
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 129
Another way to look at it is that 30 amps is 30% of 50 amps. Sounds crazy, but 30 amp service is 120 volts, and 50 amp service is 240 volts. If all the park has is 30 amps, you will probably need and adapter cable (aka dogbone) to plug in your coach. You need the version with a 30 amp male and a 50 amp female.
__________________
Duncan, 2012 Itasca Ellipse 42QD
2014 Honda CRV, wife and cat
Florida and South Carolina
mgtr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 09:31 AM   #9
Winnebago Master
 
cbeierl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,817
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgtr View Post
Another way to look at it is that 30 amps is 30% of 50 amps. Sounds crazy, but 30 amp service is 120 volts, and 50 amp service is 240 volts. ...
Technically correct as far as it goes, this statement is incomplete and liable to be confusing to many folks. Although the 50 amp service can supply 240V, a typical RV is configured to treat it as two separate 120V, 50A circuits for a total of 100A available to the RV.
__________________
Chris Beierl

2005 Winnebago Vectra 36RD
cbeierl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 11:17 AM   #10
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,520
You have a Winnebago with power management so set it to 30 amps and it will shed loads for you. Just don't try to run two 1500 watt appliances at the same time. Each 1500 watts is 12.5 amps at 120 Volts AC so if you run only one high draw appliance such as a hair dryer on high, coffee pot while brewing, space heater, microwave, toaster, etc then your AC and TV should not be a problem. A occasional glance at your Powerline Center will keep you informed of whether you are too close to the limit.
__________________
Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
NeilV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 12:18 PM   #11
Winnebago Owner
 
Lt46's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 169
I'm assuming you are new to this. FYI, you will not be able to plug your 50 amp cord in without an adapter, AKA 50/30 amp dogbone.
__________________
Peter
1997 F53 Adventurer 37rw
IAFF L-792 (Retired)
Lt46 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 12:41 PM   #12
Winnebago Owner
 
slick60's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Smyrna
Posts: 58
Hair dryers, Microwaves and elec. heaters are the items to watch.
__________________
Life's a Journey Enjoy the Ride. Had a 39 ft. Journey now I have a 24 ft short Fuse.
slick60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 01:34 PM   #13
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmraz73 View Post
What happens if the hook-up in the RV Park is only 30 amps? My guess is that I should just try not to turn on too many electrical items. Just curious from people's experiences what is considered a normal 30 amps load? (Fridge, TV, etc.)
Your guess is good.. Usually what happens is you trip the breaker a few times learning,,,,, Some folks never learn but that,,, was a joke on a TV show (one of those folks). Sadly it is not always a joke

The rules according to Readdy Killawat

BIG ticket items are in teh 1,000 watt range, these include Microwave, Water heater, Space heaters and Air conditioners. IF the bateries are low it can include the converter.

Medium. Basically the fridge,, Some old fashion CRT tvs can be medium too (500 range) but most are small.

Small, Includes TV's,. Radios, Sat receivers, do not count

20 amp service: 1 big ticket if you are lucky.. Basically stick to TV's. and the converter.

30 amp, 2 big ticket items however you may need to be careful which two, for example you usually can not carry 2 air conditioenrs.

50 amp.. All you can eat
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 03:30 PM   #14
Registered User
 
mel s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
[QUOTE=mgtr;1862975]Another way to look at it is that 30 amps is 30% of 50 amps.
Sounds crazy, but 30 amp service is 120 volts, and 50 amp service is 240 volts.
If all the park has is 30 amps, you will probably need and adapter cable (aka dogbone) to plug in your coach.
You need the version with a 30 amp male and a 50 amp female.[/QUOTE


mgtr
240 volts??

Here are some often misunderstood facts regarding all properly wired RV shore power receptacles:

1.) A 30A RV receptacle will deliver up to 30A of 120VAC power to the RV, (via a single 120VAC line/leg).

2.) A 50A receptacle will deliver up to 100A of 120VAC power to the RV, (via 2 120V lines/legs)....
Not
240V and Not ONLY 50A.

For a detailed explanation go to this link: Des Moines RV

If/when a 50A RV is connected to a 30A shore power receptacle, good energy management, (aka: common sense), must be used.

Mel
'96 Safari, (a 50A coach)
132k miles
mel s is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2014, 08:13 PM   #15
Winnebago Camper
 
cmpncrsaider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38
So I have a 50 amp 2 pole breaker feeding a 50 amp receptacle that I plug my rv into, isn't that 240 volts?
__________________
John and Vicki,2004 Winne Vectra 350 Cummins, 10k lb Blu Ox tow bar , 04 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd toad
cmpncrsaider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2014, 08:29 PM   #16
Winnebago Camper
 
PushedAround's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Ambler, PA
Posts: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmpncrsaider View Post
So I have a 50 amp 2 pole breaker feeding a 50 amp receptacle that I plug my rv into, isn't that 240 volts?
Yes it is, but most people do not understand that 240v is made up of 2 hot legs (lines supplying power L1 & L2). The voltage between L1 & L2 is indeed 240v, but if you go from L1 to a neutral wire then you get 120v, and the same for L2 to neutral.

That said, all of the appliances in an RV use 120v, so your circuit breaker panel uses L1 to neutral for half the loads, and L2 to neutral for the other half. You never get 240v out of the panel ever. When you put a 30 amp plug adapter on your power cord, it internally connects the L1 and L2 lines together, so both sides of the panel are fed with the same 120v power. The only difference is that you no longer have the amperage to run more than one of your larger appliances (as stated earlier).
__________________
Larry & Cheryl Oscar, Louie, Ranger & Henry (our Springers)
PushedAround is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2014, 11:32 PM   #17
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,520
Here is a fairly good write up on RV/Trailer wiring:

RV Wiring
__________________
Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
NeilV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2014, 07:32 AM   #18
Registered User
 
mel s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmpncrsaider View Post
So I have a 50 amp 2 pole breaker feeding a 50 amp receptacle that I plug my rv into, isn't that 240 volts?
cmpncrsaider
There is 240VAC available in a 50A shore power receptacle, (via 2 120V lines).
However, in most RVs everything operates on 120VAC.

Most "50A RVs" need/use the 2 120V lines from a 50A shore power receptacle to power only 120V items , (just like the 120V circuits in your house).

That's why, (in most RVs), everything works when connected to either a 30A "single 120V line" shore power receptacle or a "50A 2 120V line" shore power receptacle.

An exception would be if the RV has a 240V appliance, like a 240V clothes dryer, (however most RV clothes dryers operate on 120VAC).

Mel
'96 Safari
mel s is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2014, 09:05 AM   #19
Winnebago Camper
 
cmpncrsaider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38
Thanks for that Mel, that's the reason I inquire, the wife and I do not like the splendid W/D and want to put separate washer and dryer stack unit. So we will only be able to use it at campgrounds with 240 volt 50 amp, maybe some 30 amp 240 sites but would be dryer only when it's on at 30 amp site. Will have to read genset manual to see output.
__________________
John and Vicki,2004 Winne Vectra 350 Cummins, 10k lb Blu Ox tow bar , 04 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd toad
cmpncrsaider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2014, 01:53 PM   #20
Registered User
 
mel s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmpncrsaider View Post
Thanks for that Mel, that's the reason I inquire, the wife and I do not like the splendid W/D and want to put separate washer and dryer stack unit. So we will only be able to use it at campgrounds with 240 volt 50 amp,
cmpncrsaider
You will need an appropriate double breaker and a 240V dryer receptacle wired into/added into your coach.
I don't think a 240V dryer will work from a 30A campground receptacle, since they are only 120V.
However, if the coach is properly wired, (rewired?), a 240V dryer should work from a 50A shore power receptacle, (and maybe from your genset).
I suggest consulting a licensed electrician.
Mel
'96 Safari
mel s is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Spot free Rinse DennisLB Winnebago General Discussions 27 08-28-2008 05:57 AM
Winnebago's Heat shield that's Spot welded under chassis FrontRangeRVer General Maintenance and Repair 14 09-05-2006 05:26 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:15 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.