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Old 07-21-2011, 01:55 PM   #1
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Shore power requirments for trailers

Ok I have some questions about shore power . I have knowledge electrical work so not ignorant to subject. Is the shoreline power 220 volt or 120 volt ? Or can it be both? These questions I am just curious about . Now as far as my trailer goes I have shore power cable connected to a 14/3 25 foot three prong extension cable plugged into 120 volt outlet on a 20 amp breaker. Problem is I can run A/C no problem but if I run say box fan at same time it trips circuit breaker inside house there is no load inside house except clock radio and tv . Is my extension cord the problem ? Just some more info if I shut off A/C and use fan I am fine. I have some question I'll post in different post later.
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Old 07-21-2011, 01:58 PM   #2
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You need 30 amps. Sal.
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Old 07-21-2011, 02:00 PM   #3
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Depends on the trailer.

Traditionally shore power has been 30A 120V service using a NEMA TT-30R receptacle, which provides neutral, hot, and ground. Most Airstream trailers require this kind of service. It's probably what you need.

Some newer trailers with dual air conditioners use 50A 120/240V service using a NEMA 14-50R receptacle, which is four-wire receptacle with 2 hots, neutral, and ground.
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Old 07-21-2011, 02:02 PM   #4
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I wired a 120v 30A outlet next to our parking pad, and tested it with the standard AS power cord plugged into a 25' 30A extension cable from Camping World, doesn't trip any breakers.
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Old 07-21-2011, 03:36 PM   #5
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If not modified, you trailer is meant for a 120 volt 30 Amp source. The trailer side male can look a little misleading.

A 10 AWG cord can help. I have had success with replacing the female end of a 10 AWG cord with a 30 amp RV female and leaving the 15 amp plug on the male end.

The best would be to add a dedicated 30 circuit solely for the trailer.
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Old 07-21-2011, 03:50 PM   #6
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Here is what the 120/240 50a looks like on the bigger load trailers
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Old 07-21-2011, 03:55 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrcrowley View Post
Now as far as my trailer goes I have shore power cable connected to a 14/3 25 foot three prong extension cable plugged into 120 volt outlet on a 20 amp breaker.
The 14 gauge extension is going to have a lot of power loss over 25 feet. So even if it's not making it all the way to the trailer you're drawing more than 20 amps at the panel. These RV extensions are at least 10 gauge.

30A RV Extension Cord
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Old 07-21-2011, 03:57 PM   #8
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Ya that's like a 25' long heating element
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Old 07-21-2011, 04:34 PM   #9
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I'll go make up a 10/3 cord what about the male end on three prong house plug that should be 30 amps to correct? (if they make them) . Or should make a dedicated 20 amp circuit for trailer?
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Old 07-21-2011, 04:38 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrcrowley
I'll go make up a 10/3 cord what about the male end on three prong house plug that should be 30 amps to correct? (if they make them) . Or should make a dedicated 20 amp circuit for trailer?
Why not a dedicated 30a breaker / outlet and 10/2 cord
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Old 07-21-2011, 05:01 PM   #11
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If you are going to go to the trouble to add a circuit, I agree with darkspeed, why not pull 10/2 with ground and install a standard 30 amp rv recip?

If adding a circuit is going to be a while, certainly upgrade to a realistic cord.
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Old 07-21-2011, 05:05 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkspeed

Why not a dedicated 30a breaker / outlet and 10/2 cord
Actually the shore line is 10/3 neutral,ground and line I'll just make a dedicated line from breaker box with shore line female receptacle problem solved .
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Old 07-21-2011, 05:19 PM   #13
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Lowes and homedepot have exterior nema boxes with a preinstalled rv female receptical. 30 or 50a...Super easy.
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Old 07-21-2011, 05:24 PM   #14
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http://homedepot.digby.com/homedepot...egoryId=&path=

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Old 08-01-2017, 04:00 PM   #15
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I'm setting up shore power at my house for a 28 ft FC with 2 AC's and 50 amp service. The airstream manual says not to
exceed 110 volts. However, my service is 220. Will the 220 volts blow my circuits on my 50 amp airstream???
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Old 08-01-2017, 05:12 PM   #16
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Yes 220 will damage your coach.
While the system is 3 wire with a ground. It is setup for two 120 volt legs.
Make sure the person installing your service understands this.
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Old 08-01-2017, 05:19 PM   #17
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Quote:
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Yes 220 will damage your coach.
While the system is 3 wire with a ground. It is setup for two 120 volt legs.
Make sure the person installing your service understands this.
I believe the above is in reference to the fact that the 30A RV connector is very similar to a dryer connector and electricians without RV experience have wired the RV connector with 240V and ground (no neutral).

50 amp service is a 4-wire service, Hot 1 (Red), Hot 2 (Black), Neutral (White), and ground (Bare or Green). It is 240V line to line (red to black), 120 volts line to neutral (red or black to white) with a 50A breaker in each hot leg. The reference to 110/220 volt is old data; the line to neutral voltage has been 120 for years. The Airstream uses the 50 amp service as two independent 120 volt services (Hot to Neutral) and puts different things on the two legs. You will be fine as long as your electrician provides the neutral and wires it properly.

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Old 08-01-2017, 06:12 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrcrowley View Post
Ok I have some questions about shore power . I have knowledge electrical work so not ignorant to subject. Is the shoreline power 220 volt or 120 volt ? Or can it be both? These questions I am just curious about . Now as far as my trailer goes I have shore power cable connected to a 14/3 25 foot three prong extension cable plugged into 120 volt outlet on a 20 amp breaker. Problem is I can run A/C no problem but if I run say box fan at same time it trips circuit breaker inside house there is no load inside house except clock radio and tv . Is my extension cord the problem ? Just some more info if I shut off A/C and use fan I am fine. I have some question I'll post in different post later.
A 14ga ext cord is for 15amp and 12ga is for 20 amp. Swap your cord for a 12ga or 10ga cord and you should be good to go.
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Old 08-01-2017, 06:34 PM   #19
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Old school dryers used a 3 prong plug and receptacle. The neutral and ground were tied together.
Modern dryers are 4 wire where the ground is separate from the neutral. Dryers require 240 volts but only for the heating element. Everything else requires 120 volts.
We are talking electric dryers.
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Old 08-01-2017, 07:08 PM   #20
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As a career sparky I am amazed at the electrical knowledge of some of you Streamers. I usually read all of the electrical posts and rarely find anything to correct. Not so on other forums, even most guys on my welding forum don't know anything about electricity and on the truck forums the incorrect advice given is overwhelming. I guess Streamers are just a brighter bunch. Wonder if the SOB guys are the same? The only thing I will add, that I didn't see mentioned, is when wiring your shore power pay close attention to where each wire goes. New TT receps have the colors printed by each terminal so you don't end up with reverse polarity. Used to be shiny silver to white and brass to black but now all the TT receps have the same color terminals so you have to look for the print.
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