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oldSarge98 · 06-12-2018, 07:36 AM

Just a couple of curious questions here.

I understand that the standard RV "50" amp receptacle provides two 50 amp 120 volt legs. So when a properly wired RV is connected to the "50" amp service are the two legs recombined somehow inside the RV as one 100 amp service or are they kept separate into two separate power circuits? Or, is it done either way depending on the manufacturer?

I assume that 30 amp service provided at the pole is just one of the 50 amp legs on a 30 amp circuit breaker. Does a reasonably managed campground ensure that there is a balanced distribution of sites wired to use either leg or does that matter at all?

FlyingDiver · 06-12-2018, 07:51 AM

No, it's not combined into a 100amp feed. It's always two 50 amp feeds. If you have any 240V loads (like a residential style dryer), then the panel will be set up basically the same as a home 240V panel with a double breaker for the dryer. In any case, the various loads in the RV will be split between the two legs. How even the split is really depends on your usage of the loads. I moved a couple of mine around in the panel to even them up for our "normal" usage.

A properly wired campground will alternate legs for the 30amp plugs. It does matter.

oldSarge98 · 06-12-2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

No, it's not combined into a 100amp feed . . .
A properly wired campground will alternate legs for the 30amp plugs. It does matter.

Thank you! Curios mind satiated.

vsheetz · 06-12-2018, 08:08 AM

Kept separate in the RV breaker box as in a home breaker box. Every other breaker slot on one leg. Branch circuits are balanced. For example if two air conditioners, one connected to each leg.

Few RV have 240v appliances. Laundry dryers are Typically 120v appliances, etc. However some do have 240v cooktop or laundry dryer.

twinboat · 06-12-2018, 08:26 AM

Actually the power box should be wired for 80 amps. A 50 and 30 on one leg and a 50 and 20 on the other.

Wayne M · 06-12-2018, 08:37 AM

For future use, I found this web site very informative:
RV Electric

oldSarge98 · 06-12-2018, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

For future use, I found this web site very informative:
RV Electric

Yes, I have viewed that site on many occasions but I may have missed it but I believe most if not all information is about the electrical supply and not the internal RV circuits.

Mr_D · 06-12-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Actually the power box should be wired for 80 amps. A 50 and 30 on one leg and a 50 and 20 on the other.

Huh? Which "power box" do you mean?

FlyingDiver · 06-12-2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Actually the power box should be wired for 80 amps. A 50 and 30 on one leg and a 50 and 20 on the other.

I think you're referring to to a park pedestal. That is correct if the pedestal has all three outlets on it. Not all do. Some only have 50 and 30, some only have 50, depending on the park.

In any case, the the 30 amp outlet should alternate between legs around the park.

And normally they would only be wired for 50 amps because MOST RV lots are only designed for one unit. So either the 50 amp OR the 30 amp would be in use at any one time.

Wayne M · 06-12-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldSarge98

Yes, I have viewed that site on many occasions but I may have missed it but I believe most if not all information is about the electrical supply and not the internal RV circuits.

Sarge, absolutely correct.

I think my point was that things have to be correct up to the point where one plugs into the pedestal. From there on it is a complete different set of schematics.

oldSarge98 · 06-12-2018, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

No, it's not combined into a 100amp feed . . . In any case, the various loads in the RV will be split between the two legs. How even the split is really depends on your usage of the loads.

Thanks to all for handling my curiosity to this point. Now concerning the idea that the two legs are routed to two circuits within the RV how then is a 30 amp supply routed to both circuits in the RV so you can use both AC units? Am I correct to guess that the RV transfer switch has some kind of relay that jumps the two circuits when 30 amp service is detected?

FlyingDiver · 06-12-2018, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldSarge98

Thanks to all for handling my curiosity to this point. Now concerning the idea that the two legs are routed to two circuits within the RV how then is a 30 amp supply routed to both circuits in the RV so you can use both AC units? Am I correct to guess that the RV transfer switch has some kind of relay that jumps the two circuits when 30 amp service is detected?

No, it's done in the dog-bone adapter. The one hot lead from the pedestal is connected to both hot leads in the 50 amp outlet on the adapter.