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outbackmac · 05-12-2025, 06:56 AM

My current rv has a 50 amp plug. i will be installing a 30 amp recepticle outdoors. my question is, what plug , wire configuation do i need?
i have the 50 to 30 adapter already

twinboat · 05-12-2025, 07:00 AM

120 volts only , 30 amp RV outlet.

Do not have a 240volt outlet installed unless it's 50 amp.

sbleiweiss · 05-12-2025, 07:07 AM

For only a little more money you can install a 50 amp outlet and never wish you had later.

Tony Ramirez · 05-12-2025, 07:10 AM

Make sure whoever wires it, be that yourself or an electrician, wires it for as a "30A RV" outlet. Had a neighbor have a 30A outlet installed by an electrician for her, she couldn't get her Rv to get Shore going. Had me help her, ended up the electrician wired it as a 240 welding outlet. Luckily, no damage or fire was done. Just make sure it's done correctly.

If you have to run power to the location anyway, why not have a 50A outlet, since your RV is 50A?

d23haynes57 · 05-12-2025, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outbackmac

My current rv has a 50 amp plug. i will be installing a 30 amp recepticle outdoors. my question is, what plug , wire configuation do i need?
i have the 50 to 30 adapter already

As others have suggested, do what is needed to install a proper 50 ap 2 leg receptacle. Be able to use what is needed when it is needed. 50-amp X 2 is a 12,000-watt connection. A 30-amp single leg is only 3,600 watts. There will be conflicts battery charging, the refrigerator, and running AC. With 3 AC's the electric heaters in the hydronic heating system and the convection microwave I can nearly max out the 50 amp.
It is also safer to maintain the full size neutral and ground the 50 amp will have.

twinboat · 05-12-2025, 07:38 AM

Folks with a lot of money say " Just run 50 amp ".

The wire jumps up to 6 gauge, instead of 10 gauge, it has another conductor and circuit breaker that aren't free, and you need a 240 volt slot in your main panel to use.

If your just storing your rig, and using it occasionally , 30 amp 120 volt is all you need.

bigb56 · 05-12-2025, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outbackmac

My current rv has a 50 amp plug. i will be installing a 30 amp recepticle outdoors. my question is, what plug , wire configuation do i need?

You need a TT-30R in an outdoor box, #10 wire and a 30 amp single pole circuit breaker that fits your panel.

MFL · 05-12-2025, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Folks with a lot of money say " Just run 50 amp ".

The wire jumps up to 6 gauge, instead of 10 gauge, it has another conductor and circuit breaker that aren't free, and you need a 240 volt slot in your main panel to use.

If your just storing your rig, and using it occasionally , 30 amp 120 volt is all you need.

^^This

Some say "for a little bit more"; how bout quite a bit more. Just parked at home, vrs living in it, is the deciding factor.

MRUSA14 · 05-12-2025, 08:21 AM

A 50A outlet will also be usable to charge an EV automobile. So, it is “future-proofing”.

shootist · 05-12-2025, 08:28 AM

Since you're pulling wire anyway why not just pull it for 50 amp 240. #6wire for that. 3 6's and a 8 for the ground.

d23haynes57 · 05-12-2025, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFL

^^This

Some say "for a little bit more"; how bout quite a bit more. Just parked at home, vrs living in it, is the deciding factor.

Parked at home, you will at some point want to get it ready for a trip. That may include charging batteries, turning on the fridge, and maybe even the AC(s). If in a winter environment there may even be a winter need for electric heat to keep things from freezing. The RV represents a significant investment and also has a significant operating cost. What percentage of that would be added to install an adequate power source? 1/2 a set of tires? 3-4 tanks of fuel?

3pedal · 05-12-2025, 10:03 AM

I ended up putting in both a 50 and 30. I was able to put it in close to the breaker so the length of wire wasn't a huge thing.

I had the same problem with the electrician wiring the 30 amp plug wrong. Destroyed my Progressive surge suppressor. I had an RV outlet, that showed how it was supposed to be wired, but he just wired it like he always did for a dryer. Watch for that.

If I could only do one, I would do 50amp if at all possible.

tmann45 · 05-12-2025, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

The wire jumps up to 6 gauge, instead of 10 gauge, it has another conductor and circuit breaker that aren't free, and you need a 240 volt slot in your main panel to use.

If your just storing your rig, and using it occasionally , 30 amp 120 volt is all you need.

Yes, I agree.

I previous owner turned the garage into a man cave and installed a 30 amp 240 volt outlet. It will run both of my AC units, fridge, water pump, battery charger, lights (all LED), vacuum cleaner, and both dishwasher and Splendide clothes washer. Has not tripped the breaker yet. It works great for preparing for trip or when getting home to clean and unload from trip.

SafariBen · 05-12-2025, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmann45

Yes, I agree.

I previous owner turned the garage into a man cave and installed a 30 amp 240 volt outlet...

A 30A 240 outlet requires only one more #10 wire than a 120V outlet, but has double the power capacity. As far as I can tell, it's code compliant to run a 50A receptacle on 30A breaker and wire, that will be 60% of the power of the 50A instead of 30%.

Saying this while mine is plugged into a 20A outlet with long extension cords...