|
12-07-2019, 09:02 PM
|
#1
|
New Member
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
toronto
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 2
|
Decision on 30A versus 50 amp inlets
Hello, I am renovating a 1978 Airstream Argosy Minuet and about to start rewiring, and am wondering whether i should just go ahead and make the inlet 50amp, as it was previously only 30A but may need the extra power. thoughts, JeremyHB
|
|
|
12-07-2019, 09:13 PM
|
#2
|
Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
|
The most popular reason to upgrade to 50 amp is adding a second AC unit. I don't think that would be practical on your size trailer. What do you see as a need for the additional amperage?
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
|
|
|
12-07-2019, 10:15 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,103
|
30A is more common than 50A
unless you need two Ac units, go 30A
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 07:38 AM
|
#4
|
Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
|
I'm renovating a 78 6.7m Minuet myself and 30 amp will be enough. 50 amp wire is a lot heavier.
Coosa subfloor going into mine right now.
Goodluck with your reno
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 08:27 AM
|
#5
|
4 Rivet Member
1968 24' Tradewind
1968 26' Overlander
Detroit
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 467
|
Agree with the above. Unless you have an unusually high energy need 30A makes sense. Also, the installation cost rises quite sharply with 50A (6AWG, larger breakers, etc). I’d suggest you estimate how many amps you’ll draw before moving forward. For example, it would be unusual to use all five of these at the same time:
8A microwave
10A water heater
13A air conditioner
8A furnace fan
10A hair dryer
Other items:
? Converter
? Refrigerator
? Electronics charging (laptop, etc)
Another option is to consider using a 30A system but install a hybrid inverter that will convert battery power into AC if you temporarily exceed 30A. For example, Victron’s Multiplus line does this.
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 09:10 AM
|
#6
|
3 Rivet Member
Commercial Member
1954 22' Flying Cloud
2017 30' Classic
Currently Looking...
Ojai
, CA
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 156
|
The 50amp connector and circuitry are intended to be used in a 220V system therefore unless you plan to do a 220V conversion you stay with the 30amp connector
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 10:05 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeremyHB
Hello, I am renovating a 1978 Airstream Argosy Minuet and about to start rewiring, and am wondering whether i should just go ahead and make the inlet 50amp, as it was previously only 30A but may need the extra power. thoughts, JeremyHB
|
...go with 50
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 10:09 AM
|
#8
|
Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,168
|
I removed my second ac and had the rig converted from 50 to 30. I hated that big-a 50amp cable. (And the ac over the bed, too).
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 10:24 AM
|
#9
|
4 Rivet Member
1976 31' Excella 500
Chappell Hill
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 485
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe
...go with 50
|
Agree. Go 50A and you can run more stuff at once. One less worry down the road.
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 10:31 AM
|
#10
|
Iron tepee #35
1993 34' Excella
andalusia
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 95
|
If you plan on any winter camping the extra ampacity could e handy with electric heating.
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 10:34 AM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
2022 Atlas
Homosassa
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 729
|
I would go 50. If you want to run a microwave and a/c at the same time 30 probably won't do it especially of an converter for batteries and/or refrigerator is on at the same time. You can always use less with 50 amps (12,000 watts) available than 30 amps (3,600 watts) but with 30 you can't use more.
|
|
|
12-08-2019, 11:49 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
1973 21' Globetrotter
1975 26' Argosy 26
Vista
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 589
|
Are you camping? Or bringing your house with you. At 230 volts 50 amp you are close to 4X what you will use. Unless you are going to have a jacuzzi. I often just use a 20 amp service. If I don’t need air conditioning.
|
|
|
12-09-2019, 08:08 AM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic
Johnson City
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 591
|
120 vac 30a
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverPal2
The 50amp connector and circuitry are intended to be used in a 220V system therefore unless you plan to do a 220V conversion you stay with the 30amp connector
|
Agree. You should only use a 50A inlet if you are rewiring the entire AC system from a 240/120 VAC load center. Otherwise, stay with 120 VAC 30A inlet and load center. 30A seems plenty good for your trailer size.
Recommend looking through these before you start: NFPA 70 2020 edition, National Electric Code, Article 551 and NFPA 1192 2018 edition, Standard for Recreational Vehicles.
For the inlet itself, we are extremely pleased with our SmartPlug.
73/gsu
__________________
Gus - KR4K : Mary - K5MCL
2004 30ft. Classic
2017 Infiniti QX80 Limited
ProPride 3P/Prodigy P3
|
|
|
12-09-2019, 08:19 AM
|
#14
|
Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,534
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverPal2
The 50amp connector and circuitry are intended to be used in a 220V system therefore unless you plan to do a 220V conversion you stay with the 30amp connector
|
While I agree that the OP doesn't need 50A service for the Minuet, your reasons here are misleading. While the 50A shore power inlet makes 240v AVAILABLE (the difference between the 2 "hot" legs is nominally 240v) RVs with 50A shore power are generally wired as 2 legs of 120v 50A service for a total available power of 100A at 120v. All appliances and systems in a 50A Airstream are 120v, for example.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
|
|
|
12-10-2019, 12:33 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bibbs
Are you camping? Or bringing your house with you. At 230 volts 50 amp you are close to 4X what you will use. Unless you are going to have a jacuzzi. I often just use a 20 amp service. If I don’t need air conditioning.
|
.......everything in the As is 110 volt...1 ac and water heater with microwave is cutting it very close for 30 amps...
|
|
|
12-16-2019, 12:00 PM
|
#16
|
New Member
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
toronto
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 2
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Isuzusweet
I'm renovating a 78 6.7m Minuet myself and 30 amp will be enough. 50 amp wire is a lot heavier.
Coosa subfloor going into mine right now.
Goodluck with your reno
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
|
Thanks so much for info, I think that I am sticking with 30amp. I am also considering the Coosa board for my subfloor so it was great to see your tests.
Thanks,
jeremy
|
|
|
12-16-2019, 12:53 PM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,673
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverPal2
The 50amp connector and circuitry are intended to be used in a 220V system therefore unless you plan to do a 220V conversion you stay with the 30amp connector
|
There is no conversion other than adding another wire between the shore power input and the breaker panel and upgrading that wiring to a larger gauge. All that wiring is heavier, but it is usually very short. In my trailer it is is less than 6 feet. Everything past the breaker panel remains the same, i.e 15 and 20 amp breakers and supporting wire.
That said, unless OP plans some heavy power consumption like 2 ACs or residential stove-top/oven, 30A should be sufficient.
It is possible, however, to overload a 30A service by using AC, water heater on electric, microwave and converter, so some power management may be needed with 30A that is not with 50A.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|