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03-25-2014, 08:47 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,077
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50 amp or 30 amp?
So just say, hypothetically of course, some one was looking at upgrading to a 5er. Let's say 30-34 foot long. Would you guys rather a 50 amp or 30 amp? Pluses & minuses? I can see where having the extra a/c in a 50amp would be really nice, but what about finding 50 amp hookups? Does it limit your choices much? Anything else we need to consider?
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Kristi & Jeff
2014 Cougar 313 rli
2013 F350 king ranch
2014 passport 2650bh (sold)
2009 GMC 2500HD 6.6L 4X4 (sold)
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03-25-2014, 09:07 AM
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#2
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristi
So just say, hypothetically of course, some one was looking at upgrading to a 5er. Let's say 30-34 foot long. Would you guys rather a 50 amp or 30 amp? Pluses & minuses? I can see where having the extra a/c in a 50amp would be really nice, but what about finding 50 amp hookups? Does it limit your choices much? Anything else we need to consider?
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When discussing 50 Amp versus 30 AMP connection you are making reference to the maximum power made available to the trailer 6000 versus 3600 Watts. Not directly related to length other than bigger may require more AC etc which is more power. As you stated with a second AC that is an excellent reason to go from a 30 Amp connection to 50 Amp to run both at one time. As you probably already know there is a 30AMP adapter that will allow you to connect a 50AMP Shore power cable to a GG 30 AMP supply if 50AMP is not available.
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2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)
Veteran
PSU (GO LIONS)
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03-25-2014, 09:07 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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You can always use an adapter to plug in if only 30amp is available. If I was buying new I would go for the 50amp. New is much cheaper than trying to upgrade later and probably a good selling point down the road. JM2¢, Hank
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Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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03-25-2014, 09:10 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 264
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50 amp is the better choice. Most camp grounds have 50 amp service as well. The ones or sites that don't you can use a 30 to 50 amp pigtail.
2005 Silverado 2500HD D/A
2013 Laredo 321BH
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2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD D/A 4x4
2013 Keystone Laredo 321BH
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03-25-2014, 09:24 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,077
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How many things do you have to turn off when you adapt down from 50 to 30 amp? In our current TT when we plug into 15 vs 30, no A/C or microwave, the microwave is no biggie, but A/C is pretty important to me.
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Kristi & Jeff
2014 Cougar 313 rli
2013 F350 king ranch
2014 passport 2650bh (sold)
2009 GMC 2500HD 6.6L 4X4 (sold)
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03-25-2014, 09:42 AM
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#6
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
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Sounds like you know what to do when downgrading power (30 to 120) same applies going from 50 to 30
50 to 30 no second AC running at same time. AC is the biggie
would still need to manage running microwave, TV's, hair dyers, etc at same time when AC is on
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2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)
Veteran
PSU (GO LIONS)
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03-25-2014, 11:45 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
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Without fail, there are two things that you can just about count on universally. Bigger is better and more is better. Even with only one AC unit, you will find yourself limited with 30A service. With a 2nd AC, it's mandatory. You will invariably hear from some here who are hardcore purist and will tell you that a 15A extension cord and a fan is all you will ever need. Not so.
With 30A, you will find yourself having to turn appliances off to use other appliances and the circuit breaker at the campground pedestal is only going to trip in the middle of the night, as per Murphy. Another reason for going with 50A is the CG 50A outlets are in better shape as they don't get used as much. You'll find a lot of 30A outlets that are worn out and have poor connectivity.
I'm in the process of adding a second 30A service to my trailer and the only reason for not converting to 50A is cost, as I already have a Blue Sea power panel and most of the components and I don't want to have to swap a 30A EMS for a 50A version, buy a 50A inlet and power cord. All of the 50A stuff is high dollar. I also have an additional 20A feed to run fans and space heaters as needed, so that gives me 80A of available power, not as good as 50A(100A total) but it will work. I'll be posting about that later tonight with photos.
As I'm writing this, my UPS driver shows up with all of my goodies.. back to work..
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2011 Outback 277RL
2013 F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.2L
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Bitter Clinger
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03-25-2014, 11:55 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,909
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Actually, with a 50 amp service, you have two 50 amp legs compared to a 30 amp service that has only one 30 amp leg. So when figuring watts, it is 3600 watts for the 30 amp vs 12,000 watts for a 50 amp service. When connected to a 30 amp pedestal, just turn the water heater and fridge to propane only which will reduce the load, but you will still have to shut off the A/C to use the microwave. With a 50 amp trailer, you can run everything at once, even with two A/C's, without tripping any breakers.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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03-25-2014, 12:20 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 287
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Having the option, I ordered our 31BHPR with 50-amp service. Yes it was an additional $450, but IMHO it's a good investment in either a) convenience of using multiple devices simultaneously or b) the ability to economically add a second A/C unit later should we want to.
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03-26-2014, 02:25 AM
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#10
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Permanent User Ban
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristi
So just say, hypothetically of course, some one was looking at upgrading to a 5er. Let's say 30-34 foot long. Would you guys rather a 50 amp or 30 amp? Pluses & minuses? I can see where having the extra a/c in a 50amp would be really nice, but what about finding 50 amp hookups? Does it limit your choices much? Anything else we need to consider?
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In a camper as long as you're looking at, you will want 2 air conditioners <- which means 50 amp service mandatory
You can buy it with them.... If you don't, you will come back later and ask us how to add it after-the-fact.
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03-26-2014, 09:33 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mishawaka, Indiana
Posts: 238
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If given a choice, clearly the 50 amp would give the most flexibility.
We have a 33 ft with only one A/C and are quite content with it. In fact we don't really want a second A/C as we like having the fresh air (vent open) in the front bedroom at night which would go away if we added the 2nd A/C.
As for running the A/C and microwave on 30 amp service, that will depend on your unit (and the campground power service). Our past travel trailer would run both on 30 amp, our current truck camper will run both on 30 amp, but I suspect our new fifth wheel will not because of the bigger A/C and newer (high watt) microwave.
Good luck in making your choice...
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Roger and Dawn
Mishawaka, Indiana
2013 Cougar 280RLS / 2012 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison
2001 Wrangler (Moab Rock Crawler) / 2008 Can Am Outlander 400 4x4
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03-26-2014, 03:01 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 100
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I have 30 amp but have bought a pigtail for 50 amp to use when I am at a site that has 50 amp service. My thinking is that this way if I trip a breaker it will be in the trailer and not at the post especially since a few have commented that the 30 amp connections may be worn etc. seemed like a logical thing to do but who knows and easier of it happens at night.
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03-28-2014, 05:16 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Florida & Tennessee
Posts: 25
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50 amp vs 30 amp
For 2 1/2 months traveling out west last summer our 30 amp 30" Cougar was not very comfortable in 99 degree heat. We used two fans at night to keep the bedroom cool when we were not in the cool mountains. I connected my 30 amp cord through a 50 amp pigtail to 50 amp service in almost every RV Park. It helped keep the voltage up as shown on our two volt meters that are plugged in 24/7.
I solved the problem by buying a Montana HC 318RE with two a/c units and 50 amp service. Looking forward to our first trip at the end of April when we get back to TN.
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2014 3500 Laramie Crewcab SRW 4x4 LB Trailer Package 3.42 (picked up 3/3/14)
2014 Montana High Country 318RE 5th Wheel
2012 Dodge 2500 Laramie Crewcab LB 4x4 Diesel 3.73 Rear Towhaul + Integrated trailer brake (traded)
Prior RVs:
2013 Cougar XLite 28SGS 5th Wheel
2003 Tahoe 36' Toyhauler
2004 All American Sport 41' Toyhauler
2009 Glacier Bay 35' 5ver
2009 Mobile Suites 36RSSB
2003 Dodge 3500 LB 4x4 5.9L 4.10 Rear 6 spd manual PAC Brake
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03-28-2014, 05:48 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
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The OP is in Oklahoma. They are going to need every BTU of cooling they can get.
__________________
2011 Outback 277RL
2013 F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.2L
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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03-28-2014, 05:54 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,077
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Bob- very true, I should have mentioned the 100+F summer heat in the opening post
Sent from my iPad
__________________
Kristi & Jeff
2014 Cougar 313 rli
2013 F350 king ranch
2014 passport 2650bh (sold)
2009 GMC 2500HD 6.6L 4X4 (sold)
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03-28-2014, 06:02 PM
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#16
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Permanent User Ban
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Landry
The OP is in Oklahoma. They are going to need every BTU of cooling they can get.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristi
Bob- very true, I should have mentioned the 100+F summer heat in the opening post
Sent from my iPad
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I answered appropriately. LOL
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