50 Amp RV outlet for other 230 volt tools

[69Stang]

Originally Posted by 70ChevelleSS

Ground and neutral are bonded together at the main panel. But as said the ground wire is not considered a current conductor. It's there for safety reason should a fault occur. The compressor is a 230V? or 240V compressor. It doesn't use 120V so no neutral line is required. The RV has 120V appliances so the neutral is required, and of course the ground wire for safety purposes.

The paperwork says 230V. Don't know why though.

[69Stang]

Originally Posted by rver98

Wire size is based on amperage. I highly doubt you need a 50A circuit. Please see attached pic.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...97493103870429

You're correct that I don't need a 50 Amp for the compressor, but since I was doing the work I decided to do 50 Amp for my future MH. I have a 30 Amp right now and figured I'd do the job once and do 50.

[JMynes]

I made up a 5' "dog bone" so I could plug my 240v welder into the 50 amp RV receptacle at the house. Two hots and a ground. It works fine.

[twinboat]

How many amps does the compressor require ?

If it's a 20 amp, 230 amp compressor, typically wired with a 3 blade plug, you may want to add a sub panel with a 20 amp double breaker and correct outlet.

That way if it seizes or the unloader fails, it will trip the breaker rather then burn up.

[69Stang]

Originally Posted by twinboat

How many amps does the compressor require ?

If it's a 20 amp, 230 amp compressor, typically wired with a 3 blade plug, you may want to add a sub panel with a 20 amp double breaker and correct outlet.

That way if it seizes or the unloader fails, it will trip the breaker rather then burn up.

Thanks for the suggestion. I think it is 20 amp, 230V. I'll have to research and see what's involved with adding a sub panel. So you mean have a sub panel with a 20 Amp breaker and a 50 amp breaker?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by 69Stang

Thanks for the suggestion. I think it is 20 amp, 230V. I'll have to research and see what's involved with adding a sub panel. So you mean have a sub panel with a 20 Amp breaker and a 50 amp breaker?

Correct. That way you can leave everything plugged in.

[winniman]

And you wont be feeding 2 1/2 times the power to the compressor that you should be. Possible fire hazard.

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by winniman

And you wont be feeding 2 1/2 times the power to the compressor that you should be. Possible fire hazard.

So when you plug a 1 amp lamp into a 15 amp branch circuit are you "feeding" 15 times the power to the lamp that should be? And is that also a fire hazard?

[Gary RVRoamer]

And you wont be feeding 2 1/2 times the power to the compressor that you should be. Possible fire hazard.

LOL! You can't "feed" any power to it. The appliance "draws" only the power it needs and the size of the outlet "feed" is irrelevant. The breaker for the circuit merely sets an upper limit, helpful if a wire shorts or other major failure.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

It is 6/3 because the terminology means 6 gauge wire with 3 conductors. The ground wire is not considered a conductor.

True, but not the whole story !

"Cordage", the electrical industry term for what most of us would just call an extension cord, counts ALL OF THE WIRES INSIDE THE OUTER SHEATHING !

So if you are buying bulk cordage to make your own 50A extension cord you want 6/4.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by twinboat

How many amps does the compressor require ?

If it's a 20 amp, 230 amp compressor, typically wired with a 3 blade plug, you may want to add a sub panel with a 20 amp double breaker and correct outlet.

That way if it seizes or the unloader fails, it will trip the breaker rather then burn up.

Originally Posted by twinboat

Correct. That way you can leave everything plugged in.

True, but the NEC "lawyers" might argue with you ! (I am not a licensed electrician.)

If you are going to use the same 50A circuit in your main breaker panel and wire to feed the sub-panel (an excellent suggestion). As long as both outlets are not drawing their rated current, you will have no problems. In theory, they should be able to draw a combined 70A which would trip the breaker in the main panel (sub-panels in the same building are not required to have main breaker it they have 6 circuits or less).

Yes, I am just picking nits ! I would do just the same as twinboat suggested !

[69Stang]

So just to follow up; I finished the wiring last night and fired up the air compressor and only had to call the Fire Dept. once (kidding). Everything worked the way it should. Thanks for all the help.

So regarding the subpanel? Disconnect the existing wire connected to the RV outlet and run that wire into the subpanel. Then install a 50 Amp and 20 Amp breaker in that panel? Then I would have to run wire to the RV outlet and another 20 Amp plug? Anyone have a photo of what that should look like? A picture is worth a thousand words

[rver98]

Originally Posted by 69Stang

You're correct that I don't need a 50 Amp for the compressor, but since I was doing the work I decided to do 50 Amp for my future MH. I have a 30 Amp right now and figured I'd do the job once and do 50.

You need to understand how electricity work. You may want to look up a tutorial before doing this on your own.

[69Stang]

Originally Posted by rver98

You need to understand how electricity work. You may want to look up a tutorial before doing this on your own.

Not following what you're saying