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06-12-2007, 09:40 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member 
2001 16' Bambi
2013 23' International
Piedmont Region
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 400
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50 and 30 amp shore power
I am preparing to do a system upgrade to my '72 Safari. At present it has a 2 each, 20 amp breaker box. I want to replace this with a 30/20/15/15 setup to accomodate some more outlets and changes I want to make. One of the things I want to do is to add an outside shore power plugin and eliminate the power cord coming out of the bumper storage box. My concern is this: since many campgrounds have both 30 and 50 amp service, should I make the new plugin a 50 or a 30 amp capability? And, if I go with the 50 amp, will I be able to utilize 30 amp if that is all available and vice versa? Pros and cons please. Thanks, TB
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06-12-2007, 09:48 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master 

2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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I saw an odd thing last week at Mississippi Palisades S.P. south of Galena, IL. Some sites had boxes with a choice of 50A or 15A only. Most had all three -- 50A, 30A & 15A. Lesson is that I need to get a 30A-50A adapter for my 30A shore power cord.
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06-12-2007, 09:50 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 

2014 27' Flying Cloud
Viera
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,233
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I'm no expert here, but from my campground research, it seems like 30 amp is more available than 50 amp. My Airstream came with an adaptor that converts the 30 amp plug to a 20/15 amp plug if that's all that's available. I also bought a 50 amp to 30 amp plug converter at Camping World. So, I'm ready for anything--I think.
Randy
__________________
Randy & Pat Godfrey
Florida Airstream Club (027)
WBAC# 1212 - AIR# 17017
2014 27FB Flying Cloud - SilverCabin II
2018 F-150 Platinum - unnamed
The best part of any trip is when you pull away from home.
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06-12-2007, 10:21 AM
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#4
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Site Team
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,601
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I put 50A/240V in my '59 Tradewind. It's better to have enough than not enough. Can always go down to 30A is that's all that's available.
The only downside is the shore cable is pretty pricy.
Also, if you put in 50A/240V, make sure the two legs are balanced.
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06-12-2007, 03:52 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member 
2001 16' Bambi
2013 23' International
Piedmont Region
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 400
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50 amp/30 amp -- 2 legs balanced
Thanks for all the replies and good info. It seems as if I can adapt it any way need be if what the trailer has doesn't match the supplied hookup. I just want to equip it with what will serve best for the long run.
Markdoane -- I am sorta leaning towards going with the 50 amp for now. I am getting an electrican to help me with this upgrade. I will assume that he will understand what is meant by "making sure the two legs are balanced" on a 50 amp, but you can educate me on that if you will.
Thanks much to all, TB
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06-12-2007, 05:18 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,064
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Unless you intend to use 3 or 4 1500 watt heater to grow pot in your trailer I can not see any reason to install a 50 amp service.
One thing to consider. Even if you are only using a total load of 15 or 20 amps with everthing on in your trailer most campground will charge you extra for a 50 amp service. You may remember 10 or 15 years ago when campgrounds charged extra is you came in with an AC on the traile even oncooler weekends.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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06-12-2007, 05:42 PM
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#7
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Site Team
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tinbender
. I will assume that he will understand what is meant by "making sure the two legs are balanced" on a 50 amp, but you can educate me on that if you will.
Thanks much to all, TB
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If you put in a 50A/240V service, you really have 100A service at 120V. Very useful if you have an air conditioner, electric water heater, hair dryer, electric skillet, and some heavy duty grow lamps for your agricultural hobbies.
The two legs don't need to be perfectly balanced, just reasonably balanced. Don't put the A/C and large dishwasher on the same phase. Basically, just put a little thought into it. Your electrician will know how.
NEC 551.42 Branch Circuits Required.
. . . .
(D) More Than Five Circuits Without a Listed Energy Management System. A 50-ampere, 120/240-volt power supply assembly shall be used where six or more circuits are employed. The load distribution shall ensure a reasonable current balance between the phases.
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06-12-2007, 07:43 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member 
2001 16' Bambi
2013 23' International
Piedmont Region
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 400
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HowieE: Oh man, why did I sell those grow lamps at my last yard sale?? Now I actually have the perfect place to use them!! Guess I'll just have to stick to raspberries and tomatoes. Actually, HowieE, I owe you a debt of gratitude. I have not been able to pick a name for my trailer that I really liked. Now I know exactly what it is -- Shinee Blunt -- ..
Markdoane: Thanks for the lesson on balancing the legs of the 50 amp. It made perfect sense and I do have and will probably use all the other items you listed, with the exception of the lamps of course.
Thanks again, TB
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06-12-2007, 08:51 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,411
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TB,
Which ever you decide to use....50A/240VAC or 30A/120VAC.....be VERY CERTAIN that your electrician realizes that RV 30 amp circuits are 120VAC and NOT 240VAC. I have seen a couple of RVs that were fried by the owners 30 amp outlet because the electrician assumed that they wanted 240 volts.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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06-13-2007, 10:34 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master 
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,064
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Tinbender
Naming is some times a problem. We lucked out with a less conspicuous name. I had sold some options on Radio Shack and we named our then trailer R Shack and carried the name forward to the Airstream. The only problem the majority of the individuals passing by and reading our sign think our last name is Shack.
Well at least we will know whats in a name if we pass by each other.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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06-13-2007, 11:31 AM
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#11
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New Member
1984 31' Sovereign
phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1
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Tinbender
On my Flxble the power cord had plugs on both ends, during the night somebody took the cord, I thought the breaker had triped and went back to sleep. Next moring the cord was gone. We spent a half a day in a strange town trying to make a new cord. I put a cable and lock on it.
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06-13-2007, 12:49 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master 

2014 27' Flying Cloud
Viera
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,233
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Copper thief?
__________________
Randy & Pat Godfrey
Florida Airstream Club (027)
WBAC# 1212 - AIR# 17017
2014 27FB Flying Cloud - SilverCabin II
2018 F-150 Platinum - unnamed
The best part of any trip is when you pull away from home.
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06-13-2007, 05:43 PM
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#13
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Site Team

2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 14,417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by got diesel
On my Flxble the power cord had plugs on both ends, during the night somebody took the cord, I thought the breaker had triped and went back to sleep. Next moring the cord was gone. We spent a half a day in a strange town trying to make a new cord. I put a cable and lock on it.
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Sorry to hear about the cord thieft. They took it while it was in use?
Welcome to the forums. We have a pretty good base of streamers here in the valley of the sun!
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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06-22-2007, 04:02 PM
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#14
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bilby05
1962 24' Tradewind
1962 24' Tradewind
Canyon
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 264
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Wiring for shore power
[quote=lewster]TB,
Which ever you decide to use....50A/240VAC or 30A/120VAC.....be VERY CERTAIN that your electrician realizes that RV 30 amp circuits are 120VAC and NOT 240VAC...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I am planning to set up a 30 amp circuit at home so I can run the A/C when I am working in the Airstream. Everything else should be able to be run on a 20 amp circuit with a 10 gauge extension cord, right? I am looking for some diagrams and parts specs. that would give me an idea of wire gauge, circuit box type, etc.
Thanks in advance,
bill b.
__________________
1962 Airstream Tradewind
2001 Ford 7.3 Diesel
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06-22-2007, 09:08 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master 
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,411
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Bill,
10AWG should work fine, as long as you don't plan to make the run too long. I have a spec on the length, but it's burried in the van and I can't get to it 'till I hit Albuquerque on Sunday.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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06-22-2007, 11:33 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master 
1984 31' Airstream310
Dunsmuir
, California
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,336
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I think this link is a useful reference. Scroll down and there is an application which will calculate wire needs based on voltage, amps, and distance.
American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits
(PS: I'm sure I got this link from someone this forum)
__________________
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion - The Dalai Lama
1984 310 Limited Motorhome
Courtesy Parking (W/S/E/Wi-Fi) on I-5 in Northern California, 70 miles from Oregon border
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