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Old 01-17-2023, 02:19 PM   #1
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RV electric outlet in garage

We travel a lot in the summer, trying to get away from the heat here in southern Arizona, and we prep our RV in our driveway. But to do that we need to run the roof AC to get the inside cool enough to allow the fridge to cool down and I don't want to use the generator to do that. In the past (with other RVs) we used to just plug the RV into the 15 amp outlet in our garage and run the AC, but our current RV draw about 16-17 amps just to run the AC so that no longer works for us.

I thought I would have either a 20 amp regular outlet or a 30 amp RV outlet installed in the garage to take care of the issue, but many of the electricians I have spoken with are unfamiliar with the 30 amp RV outlet and all of the normal-outlet-to-RV adapters I have or have seen are 15 amps, so I am a bit stuck. (The adapter type I am talking about is one like this one).

Are there any 20 amp adapters available? If so, where? I have not seen any on Amazon. And are there any special wiring instructions for a normal 30 amp RV outlet?

I am a bit nervous about having an electrician who does not know about RV outlets wire up something that I will plug the RV into. The last one I spoke with said he assumed it was 220 volts and that does not give me much confidence. Also, any other suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks.
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Old 01-17-2023, 02:34 PM   #2
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Tell them a 30 amp RV outlet, TT30, is a 120 volt outlet.
Make sure they use a single pole breaker.

Another option is to have them install a L5-30 outlet. It's a twist lock 120 volt outlet.
With that you'll need a adaptor.
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Old 01-17-2023, 02:36 PM   #3
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30 amp rv is just a 120v circuit. wire just like a 20 or 15. EXCEPT.. you will
be using 10 gauge romex to the 30 amp receptacle from the 30 amp breaker . your 50 to 30 amp adapter will do the rest.
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Old 01-17-2023, 03:11 PM   #4
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RV Electrical Wiring

Personally I wouldn’t bother with a 20a.
Run the 30a just like this to a 30a dedicated breaker in the garage panel. (Or better yet 50a if your garage circuit is capable)
Many use a simple wall mount conduit drop out of the panel to your desired location. A NEC approved ground rod should be utilized for this circuit.
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Old 01-17-2023, 03:16 PM   #5
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The main thing is do not let them wire a 30amp RV outlet like a dryer or stove outlet as those are 240v not 120v.
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Old 01-17-2023, 03:22 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpine36 View Post
Personally I wouldn’t bother with a 20a.
Run the 30a just like this to a 30a dedicated breaker in the garage panel. (Or better yet 50a if your garage circuit is capable)
Many use a simple wall mount conduit drop out of the panel to your desired location. A NEC approved ground rod should be utilized for this circuit.
One ground rod at the main. You can add a second if you are 100s of feet away. You don't want a lighting strike using your lawn as a path. Especially with you walking across it at the time.
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Old 01-17-2023, 03:38 PM   #7
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One ground rod at the main. You can add a second if you are 100s of feet away. You don't want a lighting strike using your lawn as a path. Especially with you walking across it at the time.
Exactly. Best not to bond the neutral and the ground though.
So many panels are, I’d always suggest dedicating a stand alone ground on all 30-50a RV circuits.

For that reason I believe they actually call it a “chassis” ground.

But that’s just me, too many years working around energized sub stations with equipment lol.
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Old 01-17-2023, 03:45 PM   #8
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So disappointing that an electrician would not correctly connect a TT-30. The terminals themselves are identified, one is silver and one is gold. I am a retired electrician, if you live in Tucson I would be happy to stop by and inspect their work before you use it.
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Old 01-17-2023, 03:54 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shootist View Post
30 amp rv is just a 120v circuit. wire just like a 20 or 15. EXCEPT.. you will
be using 10 gauge romex to the 30 amp receptacle from the 30 amp breaker . your 50 to 30 amp adapter will do the rest.
I guess I was not complete enough. Our RV is a 30 amp B+/C. The adapter I was speaking of is the one that adapts from a standard home 110 3 plug outlet to the standard 30 amp RV connection.
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Old 01-17-2023, 04:00 PM   #10
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Quote:
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I guess I was not complete enough. Our RV is a 30 amp B+/C. The adapter I was speaking of is the one that adapts from a standard home 110 3 plug outlet to the standard 30 amp RV connection.
Yes, 20 amp household to 30 amp RV connections are readily available on Amazon. Most of us carry one and here is just one listing.
https://www.amazon.com/RVGUARD-Adapt.../dp/B09TFCKN2J
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Old 01-17-2023, 04:02 PM   #11
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So disappointing that an electrician would not correctly connect a TT-30. The terminals themselves are identified, one is silver and one is gold. I am a retired electrician, if you live in Tucson I would be happy to stop by and inspect their work before you use it.
Thank you for the offer, but we live in the Phoenix area, way on the outside of the metroplex.

Is there any way to tell if a 30 amp RV outlet is wired correctly using just a voltmeter? I do have one of those outlet testers (here) that is supposed to tell me if there are any wiring problems, but I really don't know how much mis-wiring they can identify.
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Old 01-17-2023, 04:06 PM   #12
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Yes, 20 amp household to 30 amp RV connections are readily available on Amazon. Most of us carry one and here is just one listing.
https://www.amazon.com/RVGUARD-Adapt.../dp/B09TFCKN2J
But that is only 15 amps on the standard outlet side (15A male to 30A female, as stated in the description). I would need 20 amps. They may make those, but I have not found one yet.
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Old 01-17-2023, 04:24 PM   #13
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Running the AC (17a) and fridge simultaneously is pushing 20a. A 20a wall outlet upgrade won’t solve your issue long term. I wouldn’t, especially with an adaptor involved, it’s just way too easy to overload.

30a circuit is relatively inexpensive insurance.
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Old 01-17-2023, 04:26 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Alpine36 View Post
Personally I wouldn’t bother with a 20a.
Run the 30a just like this to a 30a dedicated breaker in the garage panel. (Or better yet 50a if your garage circuit is capable)
Many use a simple wall mount conduit drop out of the panel to your desired location. A NEC approved ground rod should be utilized for this circuit.
Thank you for the information. I have downloaded the images and will use them if I find an electrician who seems to know what he (or she) is doing.
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