Community Forums

VACMAN · 03-09-2009, 07:00 PM

My storage shed for my coach only has 120 volt service. When I store the unit if I only want to keep the batteries up, do I need to rewire for 50 amp service? Won't be running air. Just keeping the batteries up. Vacman

soricobob · 03-09-2009, 07:13 PM

20 amp is fine, that's how I store.

VACMAN · 03-09-2009, 07:28 PM

Thanks SORICOBOB,, By the way did you hear,, The owner of Lamesa Rv has had a massive heart attack. Word is no one in his family wants to keep it going. Our contact there has told me she might have to find another job..VACMAN

Latitude · 03-09-2009, 07:54 PM

Hi Vacman
Your 120 Volt service could give you 50 Amp If you wanted it!! However You would only need 50 to Run All A/C's, Battery charger and Fridge, and maybe Hot Water!!

You can run the Charger and Fridge on 20 Amp.

Rick

VACMAN · 03-09-2009, 08:45 PM

Can I run the fridge on 120 volt only?...Vaman

RVDude · 03-10-2009, 01:15 AM

An LP/elec fridge will draw about 6ampAC in AC mode.
I run my coach off a 10amp service when "stored" (I have a 300ft 12/3 extension cord off a 20amp plug gives only about 10amps before the voltage drops below 105VAC or so). Make sure your inverter "pwr shr" or similar setting is set to 5amps to ensure the charger won't overdraw.

soricobob · 03-10-2009, 01:11 PM

Vacman; Thanks for the note. I just called LaMesa, and was told its business as usuall for the time being. Good luck with your electric hook-up, and thanks for keeping me informed.
Bob

porscheracer · 03-13-2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latitude

Your 120 Volt service could give you 50 Amp If you wanted it!!

Only if you use two separate inputs and an adapter - and on most RV's one of those must be on a separate leg, or essentially a 240v circuit.

RV Wizard · 03-13-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porscheracer

Only if you use two separate inputs and an adapter - and on most RV's one of those must be on a separate leg, or essentially a 240v circuit.

A single 50 amp 120 volt circuit will work (if wire gage is correct) with both legs, L1 and L2 of the receptacle connected to the hot feeder. The Onan quiet diesel generators do not feed 240 volts and essentially this circuit would be the same. The only appliances that will not work correctly would be a 240 volt dryer; will not heat. Be mindful that you will still be limited in the number of appliances that can be run at the same time, as you only have 1/2 of the amperage capacity of a true 50 amp 120/240 VAC 60 Hz circuit.

porscheracer · 03-13-2009, 07:56 PM

Your answer is not universally correct.

I assure you, that hookup will NOT work with my '05 Vectra. Unless I use a 4-wire circuit and hook up both L1 and L2, the controller identifies it as a 30A circuit. I've spent $$ and time galore working on alternative solutions.

I CAN get a 50A circuit using a 50>30+20 adapter if I can find 120v outlets on different legs - but not if they are on the same leg.

OTOH - I do have a friend with an older coach who can hook into any two 120v sources at random and make it work.

David K · 03-13-2009, 08:19 PM

If you have the amperage out to your shed already (ie an electrical box in the storage shed) you might want to wire a 30 amp 120 plug. That is what I have wired to my coach and I use a 30 amp converter to a 50 amp plug to run the electrical to the coach. This allows me to run about everything on the coach individually except the microwave. Even the basement air will run with this feed as it does not pull more than 30 amps when starting with both compressors running.

VACMAN · 03-13-2009, 10:55 PM

I have a 100 amp fuse box in my shed. I have 240 volt plug that my welder is plugged into. I was talking to a local Rv fix guy and told him I was going to change the receptical and plug in my 50 amp MH plug. He said you will be sorry, You can not run 240Volt into a motorhome.. You will fry every curcuit board in the coach.. Nothing on that coach runs on 240 Volts.. Sooooo, is he correct? Or does he just think he knows?..Vacman

Waffen · 03-14-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VACMAN

I have a 100 amp fuse box in my shed. I have 240 volt plug that my welder is plugged into. I was talking to a local Rv fix guy and told him I was going to change the receptical and plug in my 50 amp MH plug. He said you will be sorry, You can not run 240Volt into a motorhome.. You will fry every curcuit board in the coach.. Nothing on that coach runs on 240 Volts.. Sooooo, is he correct? Or does he just think he knows?..Vacman

There are some high end coaches that may be able to handle 240/250 direct but very few.

The average coach uses 2 120V legs with a ground and netural. The 2 120's provide the 240V and Amps which your coach would need to run all appliances.

And what ever you do PLEASE don't hook up the coach to the 240 you use for the welder. It is a different electrical setup and will fry your electronic devices. He is absolutely correct on that.

http://www.myrv.us/electric/

W

RV Wizard · 03-14-2009, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porscheracer

Your answer is not universally correct.

I assure you, that hookup will NOT work with my '05 Vectra. Unless I use a 4-wire circuit and hook up both L1 and L2, the controller identifies it as a 30A circuit. I've spent $$ and time galore working on alternative solutions.

I CAN get a 50A circuit using a 50>30+20 adapter if I can find 120v outlets on different legs - but not if they are on the same leg.

OTOH - I do have a friend with an older coach who can hook into any two 120v sources at random and make it work.

Norm, in cases like yours, you need to tell the EMS that the generator is running and you could allow for 50 amps 120 VAC.