adding a circuit

[mikenmo]

It's going to be cold soon and we're using electric floor heaters as much as possible. I want to run an additional 30 amp circuit for using two 1500 watt heaters.

My question is;
Can I run an additional circuit from a seperate sub panel that I would plug directly into the 30 amp on the power pedestal. This would be totally independant of the 50 amp main panel and would be used for 2 floor heaters. Would the pedestal handle a 50 amp and a 30 amp plug together?

What I have now is adequate with some usage planning but I'm not keen on a continuious draw on the MHome wireing. The "fireplace" plug (but not the receptical) gets really hot after a short time, a fire, or even a chance, is not an option.

I can do the work but I'm not sure on double plugs on the P-pole. Any knowedge would be appreciated...

Mike

[Pusherman]

Mike,

First I do not think the power pedestal is wired to support 50A 240V PLUS a 30A 120V draw. The way to figure this out is go back to where the pedestal is sourced from, and check the size of the breaker feeding the power pedestal. If it's only a 50A 240V breaker, you have your answer. I am guessing most power pedestals will be wired to max out on the 50A 240V breaker.

Second, if you already have a 50A service in your coach, you should be able to support 2-1500 watt heaters already. Be sure to plug them into 2 separate 20A circuits from your main panel.

Third, if the receptacle the heater is plugged into gets hot, you might consider replacing the RV receptacle with one designed for home use. Many of the RV receptacles use a 'push-in' type connection to the receptacle, where the home-style receptacles will wrap the wire around a screw on the receptacle, which will make better contact. Should result in less heat at the receptacle.

If you do replace the receptacle, make sure the receptacle goes into a fully enclosed box to meet electrical codes.

[AFChap]

I too think you are making it too complicated. We run one space heater off our normal 50a service. If I wanted/needed to run a second one, I would run it off the other half of the 50a (outlet in the washer/dryer closet in my coach). OR, I would feel even safer by running an extension cord out to the power pole 20a outlet (actually already have a line run from under a cabinet through an electrical/plumbing hole in the floor and out the water service bay) for the second space heater. I originally ran that extension cord out the water bay so we could run the clothes dryer when we were in a 30a only park on a very hot day ...it was a matter of ac or clothes dryer on the 30a, and we "needed" to do both, so ...

Frankly, we have never felt the need to run more than one space heater, and that only in special circumstances. Our Winnebago heat pumps do a great job down to the high 30's, and below that we figure we need to provide heat to the basement water tanks and plumbing via the LP furnaces, so we just use them. Even at 5 below zero, our 37 gallon LP tank would last two - three weeks...

[Ray,IN]

Like pusherman said, probably not. The only way to tell for sure is to remove the pedestal front and inspect the wiring. Most likely everything lower (30and15) is grafted from the 50A breaker. It would be quite expensive to run separate wiring for the 50A and 30A and 15A receptacles all the way from the CG distribution panel.

[mikenmo]

Thanks, my concern was just that, the power pole wouldn't support it. I think I'll just run a heavy extension cord for the winter up through a cabinet floor. Where we need the extra heater is the circuit for the kitchen and that has the coffee maker. I have the greatest wife ever but she won't get out from under the covers if there's not hot coffee and a warm room. That includes the bathroom. The heat pump works well, as does the rear furnace, but we will be in the Sierra Nevada Mtns next spring-fall and the propane will be a real hassle to refill so we'll need to be conservative, I'm just preparing. (I do have an extra LP tank on standby)
Thanks again.
Mike n Mo

[wa8yxm]

I use a 30 and 20 from time to time to heat my coach but the fact is you can run TWO 1500 watt heaters on a standard 50 amp rig with no problem.. Just make sure they are on different legs.

On a 30 amp connection... You need the 20 amp outlet too.

But on a 50 I run two heaters often

ONE caution: I have indications of issues inside my breaker box from time to time MAKE very sure all screws are good and tight.

[Ray,IN]

The upside is_ if you try what you plan and it does not work, the only thing you might do is pop the pedestal breakers.

[wirelessenab]

50 amp service is 12,000 watts. Each side is 6,000 watts, ie 50 amps X 120 volts.

What else do you have running?

[ralper]

I removed the flimsey 16 gauge wires that came on my electric heaters and replaced it with 12 gauge. 14 gauge would work but I am prone to moderate overkill. My plugs and wires now do not even get warm. I run a 1500 watt from a separate outlet I installed direct from the breaker box with 12 gauge wire and 20 amp breaker. At the same time I can run a 1000 watt on the regular outlets. All this on a 30 amp hookup. I do not run the water heater on electric at the same time but do run the refrig.

1500 watts uses 12.5 amps. 1000 watts uses 8.4 amps.

In summer I can run both A/c units (15,000 BTU & 11,000BTU) on 30 amps without the water heater on but usually hook up with 50 amp.

That 50 amp cord is rather heavy and I use 30 amp if I am not staying long.

[wa8yxm]

One thing I have found running electric heat is the wiring in my rig does not really like it (I run on heater on a 2nd cord)

I did put in a 20 amp outlet, dedicated, 12ga back to the breaker panel.. That one works better, Will do a 2nd one soon.

NOTE: if you plug into two 50 amp outlets at an RV park, the management is 100% within it's rights to charge you for two sites.. Propane is way cheaper.