Bobbo
Memphis, TN
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Joined: 09/16/2007
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AgilityLabs wrote:Ahhhh, Ok...
So all trailer can run on any amp service (with correct adapter). The biggest difference is the amount of power that you can safely draw at any moment. Am I getting this? 
Do I think about it like this:
20 amp: pretty much just for lights- refrigerator should be on gas
30 amp: can run most "normal" stuff - refrigerator, microwave, etc.
50 amp: for larger draw- 2 ac units, etc...
You got it. A 20 amp circuit will run 1 major appliance, heater OR microwave OR AC OR water heater on electric OR refrigerator on electric. A 30 amp circuit will run 2 major appliances, any 2 of the above. A 50 amp circuit will run 3 or 4 major appliances as long as they are balanced on both sides of the circuit.
All of this while still running some lights, water pump and other small stuff.
Bobbo, Linda and the furry kid (German Shepherd)
'07 Winnebago Outlook 31C on a Ford E450 Super Duty Chassis
NRA Life Member
Near N35 12 17 W89 50 57
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AgilityLabs
California
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Joined: 09/19/2008
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Thank you all so much... I think I am getting a handle on this.
-Heather
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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crickeydog wrote:AgilityLabs wrote: Would I ever need a 50 amp size?
Absolutely. I wish the system would go to 100 amp service. If that ever happens, I'm buying 100 amp service in our coach.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
I have read posts that tell of RVs with two 50 amp cords to plug in.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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20 amp service is normally 15/20 amp (same socket) 15 amp is a standard household outlet and plug,, 20 amp is the same save one prong is turned 90 degrees so a 15 amp plug looks like this || and a 20 looks like this |- 20 amp outlets will take either plug 20 amps is enough to run one A/C or most everything else in a 30 amp rig.
30 amp plugs have two blades and a pin kind of round, 30 amps will run everything in a 30 amp rig though you may have to choose between two appliances (IE: water heater/microwave, or A/C and microwave)
50 amp plugs have 3 blades and a pin, pin may be round or "U" shaped. 50 amp is 50 amp at 240 volt (yes I know everything in ther rig is 120 volt) so it is over 3times as much power as a 30 amp rig. You can run ..... Well.. A whole lot on 50 amp
Do you need special equipment?
There is somethind called a "Dog bone" adapter.. A short cord with plug on one end and a non-matching outlet on the other
I carry a full set, 15 to 30 (and 30/15) 30-50 (And back) and one that lets me plug a 50 amp rig into a 15 amp outlet.
I suggest you carry at least 15/30/50 to whatever your rig is. (Leave out the one that IS your rig, or make that one a bit longer (Called an extension cord)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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jmaslak
Cheyenne, WY
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Joined: 12/04/2007
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Your trailer will tell you - in plain English - what service it takes, if it was made recently. This is a requirement of US National Electric Code. This label is typically near the the electric hookup on the RV itself. Simple rule: Get a site with the same size as what the RV says it needs. You can make do with any combination and the right adaptors (if the service is less power than the RV specifies, you'll need to be careful to not run everything all at once), however. You can buy the adaptors at Wal-Mart.
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HUTCH45
NORCAL
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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AgilityLabs wrote:Ahhhh, Ok...
So all trailer can run on any amp service (with correct adapter). The biggest difference is the amount of power that you can safely draw at any moment. Am I getting this?
Do I think about it like this:
20 amp: pretty much just for lights- refrigerator should be on gas
30 amp: can run most "normal" stuff - refrigerator, microwave, etc.
50 amp: for larger draw- 2 ac units, etc...
Well done....! You're smarter than you give yourself credit for Heather. My 5er. is set up for 50 amp service capabilities, but I seldom have the need as I mostly travel alone. A 30Amp service is usually all I'll need. When parked at home, I run it off a 20 Amp service with the refrigerator on electric to keep it cool. I'm wiring in a 30 Amp service at home so I can run the A/C and Microwave if necessary.
Enjoy the journey....
(A Boxer fan...currently have my 7th.).
"HUTCH"
'07 SILVERADO 3500HD 'CLASSIC' DRW - CC - 4 X 4
'07 NEW HORIZONS 35' 5th.Wheel 'MotoMover'
'06 HONDA 106hp.VTX1800 w/'HANNIGAN' Sidecar
"PRIMO" The Boxer
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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AgilityLabs wrote:Ahhhh, Ok...
So all trailer can run on any amp service (with correct adapter). The biggest difference is the amount of power that you can safely draw at any moment. Am I getting this?
Do I think about it like this:
20 amp: pretty much just for lights- refrigerator should be on gas
30 amp: can run most "normal" stuff - refrigerator, microwave, etc.
50 amp: for larger draw- 2 ac units, etc...
except that 30 amps can run AC.
bumpy
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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crickeydog wrote:AgilityLabs wrote: Would I ever need a 50 amp size?
Absolutely. I wish the system would go to 100 amp service. If that ever happens, I'm buying 100 amp service in our coach.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
actually with a "50 amp" coach, you have 100 amps of service available.
bumpy
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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One other thing to remember, you can only draw 80 percent of whatever service you are plugged into. All breakers are rated at 80 percent only.
1997 chev crew cab 454, 5 sp. 4.10
2000 Fleetwood Caribou 11.5
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Sprig
PNW
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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WTTCS wrote:One other thing to remember, you can only draw 80 percent of whatever service you are plugged into. All breakers are rated at 80 percent only.
Only if you consider and apply the NEC version of things.
Source:
Sixing a circuit breaker
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