30 amps from the house

[AIR-Quarius]

We just relocated and made a deal with fellow that has an empty house. So this new deal was that we could plug in to the plug right by the power box on the porch. Well it had twenty amp breakers in it and after we plugged in to it, every once in a while the breaker would flip, and I would have to go flip it on again.
Finally somebody said to get a 30 amp breaker and put it in there...so forty bucks later and a friend came over and installed it for us...and everything seems to be working well now. Even made coffee water while the ACwas running. My question is...will the 30 amp breaker give us the power we need or is it too much.
Don't RV parks have 30 amp hook ups?

[markdoane]

Post a picture of the power box.

A 30a. breaker shouldn't cost $40.

Keep your trailer as far from the box as possible, and remove any flammable material between you and the house.

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by redhawkerII

We just relocated and made a deal with fellow that has an empty house. So this new deal was that we could plug in to the plug right by the power box on the porch. Well it had twenty amp breakers in it and after we plugged in to it, every once in a while the breaker would flip, and I would have to go flip it on again.
Finally somebody said to get a 30 amp breaker and put it in there...so forty bucks later and a friend came over and installed it for us...and everything seems to be working well now. Even made coffee water while the ACwas running. My question is...will the 30 amp breaker give us the power we need or is it too much. Don't RV parks have 30 amp hook ups?

Hi RedhawkerII:

"Someone" does not sound like an electrician. Perhaps he is a firebug.

Circuit breakers don't give you the power, wires do. Wires are the delivery mechanism for electrical power. The 20 amp circuit breaker was presumably designed to protect the wires that run from the power box on the porch to your RV. You apparently have not replaced those existing wires with larger diameter electrical wires, so you have NOT increased the carrying capacity of the existing wires.

When the 20 amp circuit breaker tripped, it likely did so because you were using more power than those wires could safely carry. The purpose of the circuit breaker is to protect the wires. Now that you have replaced with original 20 amp circuit breaker with a 30 amp circuit breaker, you have moved the "safety" circuit breaker to the next weakest point in the wiring, which could be anywhere. So now maybe the existing wiring might heat up to the point of melting (permanently breaking the circuity unit you repair that wiring) or maybe of starting a fire somewhere.

I suggest you remove the 30 amp circuit breaker, put back in the 20 amp circuit breaker, and reduce or manage your electrical consumption so that the original 20 amp circuit breaker never again trips. If it still trips repeatedly, then replace it with a new 20 amp circuit breaker of the same design.

You want the 20 amp circuit breaker in there to protect you and your RV. By replacing it with a 30 amp circuit breaker, you have drastically reduced your protection.

[Jammer]

You're not supposed to use a 30 amp breaker unless you have 10 gauge wire and a 30 amp connector, you know, the ones with "crows foot" shaped blades. With a regular outlet it may pose a fire hazard to run that much current.

[easyride]

30 amps is good to go for your trailer,however,a 20 amp circuit is usually supplied by a 12 gauge wire,30 amps needs a 10 gauge wire.Good way to start a fire,do not reccomend.
Dave

[AIR-Quarius]

Originally Posted by markdoane

Post a picture of the power box.

A 30a. breaker shouldn't cost $40.

Keep your trailer as far from the box as possible, and remove any flammable material between you and the house.

I have used up my picture power. But from what the owner told me was that the power box is updated. I will dig up an electrician to come over and tell me what he sees.
There is no one in the house, and we are plugged (with the power cord and adapter/converter) straight into an outlet that is mounted right by the switch box. And I am watching everything. We do not want a fire either!

[Aage]

redhawkerII:

for unlimited pictures (and in a larger size that the airforums.com software will allow), sign up for one of the free image warehousing sites, like Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

End of problem.

Please return to your discussion of 20 amp wire supplying 30 amps, with the resultant flames and fireworks.

[AIR-Quarius]

...I just called the owner and he is sending over an electrician now to look at this and I will tell you what he says about what we are doing...

[DaveFL]

When you plugged into the power box on the porch, what kind of receptacle did it have. Most homeowners have 15-20 amp standard plug and rv would have to use an adapter to use. When you tripped the 20amp breaker, it probably was partly due to having the adapter. Your a/c should run on less than 20 but startup would be more than 20. Other stuff will get it to 30 amps without problem.
Get an IR non contact thermometer and shoot the plugs and wire, it will show where the problem is by higher temps at the problem areas.

[AIR-Quarius]

The electrician looked at everything. He said the wiring was plenty big enough to carry the current and if this particular 30 amp beaker 'flips' or trips, to be alert then. Now Dave made a good point about what kind of recept we are plugged into. It is a metal one like what you would see on the outside of a house wall. The plug inlets are just like any other you would see in a house or around a house. So we DO have the power converter (dog bone) in line and that may BE the problem. Otherwise the electrician said its alright. But I will check those details out.

[AIR-Quarius]

Originally Posted by Aage

redhawkerII:

for unlimited pictures (and in a larger size that the airforums.com software will allow), sign up for one of the free image warehousing sites, like Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

End of problem.

Please return to your discussion of 20 amp wire supplying 30 amps, with the resultant flames and fireworks.

No I was told by janet that I had to make a donation to get more photo space on here. You would have to explain to me how the other storage sites work.

[Jammer]

Get a different electrician

[clancy_boy]

If the main electrical box is right at the outlet you are using then why not have an RV outlet installed for your use. Parts/wire/installation is going to be very little compared to the ever present threat of fire and damage to your AC/electrical system in the RV. You could wire the receptical box and mount it and have it ready for the electrician to pull the wires into the main box and add the breaker - saves on costs when you do some of the work. Well under $100 - I only paid $45 for the parts and in MS you can do the install with permit. The inspector approved it and he was a certified electrician.