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Old 08-13-2021, 10:01 PM   #1
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50 amp Globetrotter Wiring

Looking through the electrical documentation for the 25' Globetrotter I am having a hard time understanding how the electrical system is connected to both legs of 240v/50amp connection.

Here is the wiring diagram:



So there are 6 Circuits that feed into the 50 amp distribution panel. Leg 1 and leg 2 flow through the two 50 amp circuit breakers protecting Leg 1 and Leg 2 of the 240v/50amp connection.



What is not explained is what circuits (1 to 6) run off Leg 1 or Leg 2. Complicating this I have seen several posts where owners with 50 amp service who plug into 30 amp connections have power on all circuits and everything works except the second air conditioner. If some circuits run of Leg 1 and others run off Leg 2 than when you plug into a 30 amp connection only the circuit breakers on leg 1 should work. Can anyone explain what is going on?
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Old 08-13-2021, 10:33 PM   #2
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50 amp Globetrotter Wiring

I believe 2,3,4 are L1 (black) and 1,5,6 are L2 (red). L1 left of main L2 right of main in the first diagram.

It makes no sense than on a 30A source with both L1 and L2 hot that everything works except the AC unless you are overloading the main 30A breaker and tripping it which is entirely likely.
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Old 08-13-2021, 10:40 PM   #3
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I believe 2,3,4 are L1 (black) and 1,5,6 are L2 (red). L1 left of main L2 right of main in the first diagram.

It makes no sense than on a 30A source with both L1 and L2 hot that everything works except the AC unless you are overloading the main 30A breaker and tripping it which is entirely likely.
That makes sense but when you look at how those circuits are aligned in panel I wonder how they do it with CB's mixed on each side of the 50 amp breakers.

It also does not explain why some folks with 50 amp service running on a 30 amp pole claim everything works except 2nd AC. Nothing should work on one of the legs when hooked to 30 amp service.

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Old 08-14-2021, 05:47 AM   #4
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The 50->30A adapters bond the L1 and L2 from the 30A together. That's how they can run everything. Running 2 A/C units could exceed 30A if the compressors for both are running at the same time. The same issue can happen if you run an electric water heater and the A/C at the same time.
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Old 08-14-2021, 07:32 AM   #5
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The 50->30A adapters bond the L1 and L2 from the 30A together. That's how they can run everything. Running 2 A/C units could exceed 30A if the compressors for both are running at the same time. The same issue can happen if you run an electric water heater and the A/C at the same time.
Thanks. I have been living in a 50 amp world with automated load shedding anytime you drop down to 30 amps. So when on 30 amps many things don't work. Sounds like when you go from 50 amp to 30 amp in the Airstream you run until circuit breakers pop. Somehow though the air conditioners figure it out since I understand on 30 amps only one or the other will work.
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Old 08-14-2021, 10:15 AM   #6
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One more question. The connection to the microwave has a device at "J" called a 10 amp limit switch. Anybody know how this works. Is it automatic or manual? The microwave circuit is protected by a 12 amp circuit breaker in the breaker box so not clear what this is supposed to do or protect.


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Old 08-14-2021, 10:34 AM   #7
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Thanks. I have been living in a 50 amp world with automated load shedding anytime you drop down to 30 amps. So when on 30 amps many things don't work. Sounds like when you go from 50 amp to 30 amp in the Airstream you run until circuit breakers pop. Somehow though the air conditioners figure it out since I understand on 30 amps only one or the other will work.
I ran both AC units as a test and the circuit breaker at the campground pole blew. Turning off one of the AC allowed me to reset and have power once more.
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Old 08-14-2021, 10:38 AM   #8
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My 2021 GT is 50 Amp and when I’m plugged into 30 amp service or even when I’m running on a standard 15 Amp extension adapter I can run both ACs. I do not run them at the same time.
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Old 08-14-2021, 11:06 AM   #9
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No, you can run both A/Cs on a 30 amp connection but they will eventually pop the breaker because they will exceed 30 Amps. So basically when you connect to 30 Amp connection you have power to everything including both A/Cs but you are limited to what you can power before you exceed 30 Amps. There is no special wiring where some devices have no power and others do.
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Old 08-14-2021, 11:31 AM   #10
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No, you can run both A/Cs on a 30 amp connection but they will eventually pop the breaker because they will exceed 30 Amps.
Thanks. Don't have the trailer yet just trying to spin up on the details.

Here is an excellent walkthrough video on a 2021 25FB. In the video the tech says if you try start both AC units one will just hang on 30 amps. Did something change in 2021?

https://youtu.be/WwDqR0N6GIk?t=2208
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Old 08-14-2021, 11:53 AM   #11
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Thanks. Don't have the trailer yet just trying to spin up on the details.

Here is an excellent walkthrough video on a 2021 25FB. In the video the tech says if you try start both AC units one will just hang on 30 amps. Did something change in 2021?
I don't know what the tech is trying to say exactly. You shouldn't use both A/Cs at once when connected to 30 Amps. But there is nothing electrically stopping you. It is just that only one will run properly because two will overload the circuit. It won't always happen immediately, it depends on the timing of the startup. A/Cs draw the most power upon initial startup and when the compressor kicks on. Since one A/C is started at a time when turning on the thermostat then one will probably run fine but when the other is started it might just fail and run the fan or it might pop the breaker.

I don't think anything has changed since 2021. Basically Airstream has had these wired the same for a long time.

Practically it makes no difference, you should only run one A/C on a 30 Amp connection regardless of how it is wired. You can run either A/C unit but you should only run one at a time. In reality, I think you will find that you rarely will use both A/Cs as one is usually enough to freeze you out. Besides the noise of running both A/Cs at once. It is much nicer if you can get by with just the fantastic fan and few open windows.
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Old 08-14-2021, 12:26 PM   #12
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Smile Microwave limit switch

Quote:
Originally Posted by goldenchase View Post
One more question. The connection to the microwave has a device at "J" called a 10 amp limit switch. Anybody know how this works. Is it automatic or manual? The microwave circuit is protected by a 12 amp circuit breaker in the breaker box so not clear what this is supposed to do or protect.


That’s a limit switch that closes when you pull the microwave out to use. As soon as you push the microwave back in the switch opens and shuts off power.

By the way, you mentioned 240v/50a on your original post. It’s actually two 50a legs of 120v - not 240v.
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Old 08-14-2021, 12:58 PM   #13
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I ran both AC units as a test and the circuit breaker at the campground pole blew. Turning off one of the AC allowed me to reset and have power once more.
My 15k btu has an EasyStart and I can start the 13k (which doesn't have it) and then start the 15k unit, on 30A; they will both run for a while but after 10 min the shore breaker will jump. So both get the power, but to properly run they need 50A.
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Old 08-15-2021, 09:39 AM   #14
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As I understand it, if you have EastStart on both ACs you can run both ACs on 30amp. Is there a reason you only have an EasyStart on one AC and not the other?
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Old 08-15-2021, 05:56 PM   #15
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By the way, you mentioned 240v/50a on your original post. It’s actually two 50a legs of 120v - not 240v.
Sorry you are wrong it is required to be 50a at 240v as measured from one hot wire to the other. ASs are just wired to use it as 2 50a legs at 120v each. The neutral wire is only rated for a max of 50a so if the outlet is incorrectly wired for both 50a from the same 120a leg it could set the neutral wire on fire.

Unfortunately 240v can also cause a problem if there is an open neutral in one of the connection to your trailer, frying things due to wrong voltage.
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Old 08-15-2021, 06:19 PM   #16
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As I understand it, if you have EastStart on both ACs you can run both ACs on 30amp. Is there a reason you only have an EasyStart on one AC and not the other?
No you can't run both A/Cs with 30 amp even if both have EasyStart. EasyStart might allow you to start both A/Cs but eventually you will trip the breaker. You can only run one A/C at a time without tripping the breaker.
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Old 08-15-2021, 07:08 PM   #17
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Sorry you are wrong it is required to be 50a at 240v as measured from one hot wire to the other. ASs are just wired to use it as 2 50a legs at 120v each. The neutral wire is only rated for a max of 50a so if the outlet is incorrectly wired for both 50a from the same 120a leg it could set the neutral wire on fire.

Unfortunately 240v can also cause a problem if there is an open neutral in one of the connection to your trailer, frying things due to wrong voltage.
It is 2 120VAC 50 Amp legs 180 degrees out of phase with each other. When operating correctly the neutral sees no net current. This is why the white wife does not burst into flames.
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Old 08-15-2021, 07:30 PM   #18
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[emoji9]
"This is why the white wife does not burst into flames"

I'm hoping neither the white wife or black wife burst into flames !!

Sorry but that has to be one of the cuter typos or autocorrect.
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Old 08-15-2021, 07:57 PM   #19
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[emoji9]
"This is why the white wife does not burst into flames"

I'm hoping neither the white wife or black wife burst into flames !!

Sorry but that has to be one of the cuter typos or autocorrect.
Lolololololo
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Old 08-15-2021, 09:10 PM   #20
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I find this to be handy.
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