30 amp to 50 amp

[Ga Pockets]

Prior to summertime, I plan to convert my unit to 50 amp service ( I hate load shedding). Has anyone already done this using the existing power panel and new breakers (spacesavers or "piggybacks)? I did a search already but didn't get what I was looking for. thanks in advance.

[bryanl]

My 75 Ambassador has three circuits. One for the AC, one for front and one for rear. I separated these out so that I can plug each one individually into separate sources.

If I want to run off a 30 or 50 amp service, I would need to use a breakout box that will split and fuse the feed. For a 50 amp, I could see maybe an eight outlet breakout with four outlets and two (50 amp could support three or four) circuits on each side of neutral. For the 30 amp, a pair of circuits driving four outlets should do. Then plug the house circuits into the breakout box as needed for what you do.

But then, since I don't usually run anything more than standard household circuits to my rig, leaving it without a breakout box works for what I do.

As far as your existing box, it is probably a single phase box so to go to a 50 amp box you will need to replace it with a two (or split) phase box. Keep in mind that it is not a service entrance and, thus, ground and neutral are kept isolated.

They don't make these circuit breaker boxes with compactness as a desired feature! This is one reason I am looking at things like outlet strips or cord sets with built in circuit breakers that I can use to split and fuse rather than a full blown box. But the 'code' is also a concern.

Do read the electrical code, expecially the chapter on RV electric and use that as a guide for your efforts! And, if you do any serious wiring reconfiguring, it might pay to have a competent and knowledgable bona fide electrician who knows about the RV specific aspects of the code to check out the plan and its execution. to make sure it is properly done.

[john hd]

pockets

i would shy away from changing your rig to 50 amp. you should be ok with a 30 amp service.

the main reason is that not all campgrounds offer 50 amp services.

should you decide to go the 50 amp route it may be handy to have a conversion plug for 30 amp only campgrounds.

john

[Ga Pockets]

My 5r had 50 amp (washer/dryer etc.) and I just made a 50 to 30 adapter for use when I could not get 50 amp and I kept the adapter when the insurance folks picked it up. I use my RV as my home away from home as I am on the road most of the time and with few exceptions have been able to get long term sites with 50 amps . I am installing a electric element on my HWH which along with microwave/ac/ vacum cleaner & small freezer pushes 30 amp to the max. One of the electricians here at the power plant is going to help me do the change out.

[john hd]

pockets

i forgot you full time!

if you are the max, then by all means upgrade it!

john

[Ga Pockets]

John, What utility do you work with? I am working for Southern Company on a Gulf Power SCR Project down in Fla.

[john hd]

Originally Posted by Ga Pockets

John, What utility do you work with? I am working for Southern Company on a Gulf Power SCR Project down in Fla.

alliant energy in wisconsin. lineman 17 years.

john

[wb13798]

i have accumilated the items to change over to 50 amps on my mh . the fuse panel in the mh is a sq d 50 amp and has a 10 agw strap between the busses.
remove strap and wire for 50 should not be a problem. my second ac will be wired to the panel. no other expansion planned other wise a new power panel would be required.
problem how do i power the appliances when on 30 amp if i split the panel??
thinking i will not split the box but contiue to use the second breaker box set up. i have a single breaker box for the ac and only has power when i run the gen set or repower with a seperate extension.
then it would be a rewire and install the gen and external switch box. power panels donot get rewired.

[Ga Pockets]

My previous 5r had a 50 amp box with split and I made a 50 Amp(female) to 30 amp (male)adapter. On the (50 amp) female end of the adaptor , I put a jumper across X & Y so that both legs (X & Y) were energized from the 30 amp service end. You will only have 30 amp total but both sides of your box will be hot.

[rseagle]

I bought a Marinco Park Power 30 Amp Molded RV Cordset - 1 Foot (1PCMRV) today, to use with my standard 25' 30 Amp power cords. It has the NEMA L5 female receptical that plugs into the AC power point on my 22' CCD. It came with 2 black Lexan locking rings: an Easy Lock ring (installed) and a threaded ring (uninstalled).

My problem is: I need the threaded ring installed on the cordset to work with my Airstream. But there are two yellow molded rubber lips on the housing that are of a larger diameter than the rings. The ring sits between the lips. How do I work the rings over these lips, so that I can put the right one on?

Surely I'm not the first Airstreamer that has purchased this product and pondered the same thing? I've got an email into Marinco's Tech Support, but they won't be back in the office before Tuesday and I'll be on the road by then with a useless adapter. Any suggestions?

Here's the product link:

http://marinco.securesites.net/scpt/...0Recreational#

Thanks.

[David Fann]

Now it's September 2008. Same question: How do you swap the threaded ring for the installed Quick Lock ring?

[markdoane]

You must remove the plug assembly from the boot. Then you invaginate the boot and insert it into the ring.

[HowieE]

About the only place you will be able to get a small 50 amp panel will be a camping supply house.

Unless the hot water heater element is 220 volts, and I doubt it, why don't you just install another small 30 amp camper panel and have 2 separate services at 25 each. Nothing I see in your list requires 220 volts.

[Lothlorian]

I left my 30 amp the way it is and had a seperate 50 amp box put in with a second hook up drop. I have it just in case I may need it someday for running more power like saws or equimpent which take additional amps. It is hidden in the closet out of site. I will say since I have been camping I have not needed it.

Lothlorian

Brian

[rseagle]

Here are instructions for changing out the ring on your Marinco plugs. Steps 2-3 apply.