50 Amp From Old 30 Amp

[stinger608]

So, we recently had our old trailer totaled due to wind.

The old trailer was just the standard 30 amp 110 system.

Well, we just cut a deal on a new Coleman Light 2715RL which has the 50 amp system.
I'm assuming that the 50 amp system is a 220 volt system?

Naturally, we have all the gear (cords, adapters, etc...) for 30 amp. Even have a Champion generator that has the RV 30 amp socket.

Am I going to have to completely change all the gear including the generator? Heck, the generator only has about 30 hours total on it. I just changed the break in oil at the end of last summer and it hasn't even been used yet this year.


Also, is it even possible to plug the 50 system into a standard home 20 amp service for charging batteries, lights, and fridge while at home and using it as a "man cave" or "dog house" when I'm in trouble with the wife?

I've never owned an RV with the 50 amp system, so this is kind of new for me.

Thanks to all in advance.

[twinboat]

You just need a 50 amp to 30 amp adaptor and you can plug into any 30 amp outlet, including the generator.

You can't run more the 30 amps worth of stuff so some power management will be needed.

For plugging in at home, they make a 50 amp to 15 amp adaptor.

PS : It's 120 or 240 volts now days.
50 amp service is 120/240 volt service. The 240 volts is spit to 2 120 volt legs for most RV use.

[Old-Biscuit]

50A.......Two 120VAC Legs, 1 Neutral, 1 ground

Because 50A has Two 50A hots.......that is 6000W each/total of 12,000W
30A is only One Hot...3600W total

You can use an adapter 50A to 30A and hookup to 30A
You can use an adapter 50A to 30A then 30A to 15A and hookup to standard house outlet (Limited to 15A total)
**Everything is 120V

50A RV has TWO 50A Main CBs
Each one feds 1/2 of your Main Power Panel
Individual branch circuits are 'balanced' on the two busses (sorta)
*If the 50A Main CBs are at the top of Panel then individual branch CBs are every other one (one on one buss, one on other buss)
**If 50A Main CVs are in middle of Panel then one buss feds the upper individual CBs and one buss feds lower individual CBs

240V is available if an appliance requires it.
*Induction Stove top etc


Enjoy your new 5vr!

[jrollf]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

50A.......

240V is available if an appliance requires it.
*Induction Stove top etc


Enjoy your new 5vr!

A quick warning... if you do wire up a 240V item, like an induction stove... you CAN'T use it any time you are plugged into a 30Amp RV outlet with an adapter dogbone.

The 30A to 50A dogebone ties both 50A legs together into one 120V single circuit.

[stinger608]

Thanks guys. Makes much more sense now.

[CamperLifer]

If that camper has 2 AC units, you need 50 amp to run them both. Otherwise, 30 amp will run the entire camper. They give it 50 amp capable in case of adding another AC.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by CamperLifer

If that camper has 2 AC units, you need 50 amp to run them both. Otherwise, 30 amp will run the entire camper. They give it 50 amp capable in case of adding another AC.

That makes sense. It has the vent up front with the circuit for a second AC unit.

[Camp CA]

The benefit of 50 amp is you can operate 2 AC's or 1 AC and MW or hair dryer or 2 electric heaters.

I'm assuming that the 50 amp system is a 220 volt system? No it should be 110 volt, unless you purchased a European model but then the frequency will be different and you would need a step down transformer to operate your US 110 volt appliances

Am I going to have to completely change all the gear including the generator? No

Is it even possible to plug the 50 system into a standard home 20 amp service for charging batteries, lights, and fridge while at home Yes with the appropriate adapters

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

Is it even possible to plug the 50 system into a standard home 20 amp service for charging batteries, lights, and fridge while at home Yes with the appropriate adapters

Absolutely.


Common are 15/20 male to 30 female adapter



AND
30 male to 50 amp female adapter to your 50 amp shore power cord.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

Is it even possible to plug the 50 system into a standard home 20 amp service for charging batteries, lights, and fridge while at home Yes with the appropriate adapters

Yep. I have all the adapters for the 30A system. I just need the adapter that allows 50A to 30A.

I'll need the female 50A to male 30A.

Looking around, they are pretty regularly available.

[Nwcid]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

The benefit of 50 amp is you can operate 2 AC's or 1 AC and MW or hair dryer or 2 electric heaters.

I hope you can run a lot more than that on 50 amps. As stated above that is 12,000 watts vs 3600 watts on a 30 amp.

2 A/C, even 15,000 BTU ones are under 3O amp or 3600 watts. Add a microwave you are still under 20 amps or 2400 watts. You still have 50 amps or 6000 watts left over. You can turn on your 3rd AC, your electric water heater and still have lots of power left over.

The rule I give my wife is that you can run 1 big item on the inverter, 2 large items on 30 amp (I do have load support from my inverter if needed) and run everything in the RV on 50 amp and still have left over.

[Wire4money]

50a is most definitely a 240 system. Actually a 240/120 system.

[jrollf]

Originally Posted by Wire4money

50a is most definitely a 240 system. Actually a 240/120 system.

Yes, you can use two pole breakers (if your breaker panel is able too) to get 240v. However, in my experiance, it is pretty rare anything in a US built RV is ever wired to use 240v.

In addition, if you do have 240v appliances, you have to be real careful using any power adapters, like a 30a to 50a dogbone, as you will NOT have 240v while using the adapter and can burn up 240v appliances.

240v is created by two hot wires of 120v AC that are 180 degrees out of phase. When you use a 30a to 50a doggone, the two hot wires are cross tied to the same power source so you have 120v on each leg that are in phase... which will not provide 240v.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by jrollf

In addition, if you do have 240v appliances, you have to be real careful using any power adapters, like a 30a to 50a dogbone, as you will NOT have 240v while using the adapter and can burn up 240v appliances.

.

You can't burn up 240 volt appliances with adaptors, they just won't work.