In ground 30/50 amp outlet?

[ssandks]

We are building a carport for our FC 20. We need a 30 amp outlet today but would like to Give ourselves flexibility for the future. Do we need to install (and wire) Two outlets or is there a combo outlet that works well?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Most folks carry a 50A to 30A "doggone" adapter. That way they can plug a 30A trailer into a 50A outlet. Wiring up a 50A is the only way I know to do both with one outlet.

The wire to get to the box *usually* is the cost driver on these things. It costs by the foot and install takes some work. The box it's self (big or small) is a much smaller budget item (usually). Wiring things up like a typical campsite with a couple breakers and a couple outlets is not a budget buster.

My choice would be to wire in a 50A, a 30A and a pair of 15A outlets. That way you can handle anything that happens along. No digging for this or that adapter. No strange stuff with a 50A breaker feeding 30A wire.

Bob

[OTRA15]

Good advice from Bob.

Why not put in a conduit or two, back to your panel area/room, large enough for any and all possible uses, including cable, fiber-optic, telephone, human-tele-transportation/mutation, etc.?

No need to plan ahead . . . ready for all comers . . .

[RivetED]

There are combo outlets available but we decided on a single RV outlet with a 20 amp plug on the side. It was a 30 but now it's a 50 amp. Mostly I use a dogbone to use the lighter 30 amp cord when in storage.

30 amp copper wire, depending on length of run, is usually #10, whereas 50 amp circuits usually require #6 however #8 has been known to be used. Aluminum wire is different and I would pay for copper and avoid aluminum. Your local Licensed electrician will know which to use. Make sure if you go with 50 amps they know it's an RV outlet, not an appliance outlet. They are wired differently. We had a 30 amp in our car-port originally and had the wire replaced when it was upgraded to 50 amp for our newer AS. Some of this depends on which code and year your local inspector will be using. Many cities today will stay current with national code.

[nryn]

I wired a pedestal—the same kind you find at an RV park. Agree with the above—run conduit and you can pull whatever wire you need through when you need it. Or pull wire for the 50 and swap out the 30A outlet when you want.

The only reasons to have a 50 though are to host large 5th wheel type guests or to run both ACs at once. A 30 is plenty for parking and occasional use, even on the larger Airstreams.

[oldenavy]

When we built our pole barn for ours, we put in a 30a rated circuit with a 50A receptacle, to eliminate the need for adaptor on our 50A trailer. This saved a ton of $$ over running the heavy duty #6 wire for the 50A circuit. The only reason to have 50A is to run two AC’s. In a carport in your climate, it’s unlikely that you will need to run two AC units.

With the EZ starts on our AC’s, we can run both on a 30A circuit.

[ssandks]

Thank you all, this is very helpful!

[coasttocoast]

I ran a 30 amp and a 20 amp. I can run tools or a heater off the 20 whilst keeping the van plugged in.

[Gleverett]

Lots of good replies. There are U-Tube video's on wiring RV Recepticals. If you don't require along run of #6 wire I would go with 50Amp and just use adapters to hook up for 30amp service or 15amp. These are adapters that most of us carry in case needed.

I wired my 30amp from the circuit box in my basement to the outside of the house maybe 25' of wire for a 25' FC then two years latter bought a 30' AS with twin AC's wishing I had wired 50amp to begin with.

[DaveG]

Some more thoughts: Best to match wire, breaker, and receptacle ratings. Factor in voltage drop for distance. GFCI breaker. Couple of bigger than minimum size conduits buried 24" deep is a great idea. Dedicated trailer circuit plus general purpose recept another great idea. Will you want an outdoor light? And, price of wire is out of sight right now. Prepare for a price shock! (Forgive the pun )

[DaveG]

Originally Posted by DaveG

Some more thoughts: Best to match wire, breaker, and receptacle ratings. Factor in voltage drop for distance. GFCI breaker. Couple of bigger than minimum size conduits buried 24" deep is a great idea. Dedicated trailer circuit plus general purpose recept another great idea. Will you want an outdoor light? And, price of wire is out of sight right now. Prepare for a price shock! (Forgive the pun )

My mention of GFCI is just a suggestion for the RV circuit. Code does not require. Debate has been going on for years regarding this and although a good idea from an electrical standpoint it would be a major expense to upgrade older installations and expensive for new ones so lots of push back from the industry. The argument is, does the circuit come under feeder, or branch requirements. If you are doing your own I suggested GFCI only as an upgrade idea.

[Trowbridge]

Do separate ones side by side. Do not put it in/on the floor - eventually you'll have a leak in something (roofing, trailer tank, gas can tipping over, etc.) and a floor receptacle will cause trouble. Wall or column mount it up at least 18" off the floor.

[tjdonahoe]

In our shop..we installed a 50 amp box..I use an adapter if a 30ampis needed