50 Amp / 30 Amp

[Harmini]

Our 2013 Cougar Xlite 32SAB has 50 amp service. Trailer is prewired for a second roof mount AC in bedroom (not installed) and I am thinking this is the only reason for having 50 Amp instead of 30 Amp shore power. There is nothing else big to run.

I needed a 50 Amp extension cord last weekend at the RV Park we were at, fortunately they had a loaner.

I already own (2) 30 Amp extension cords from a previous TT and don't want to buy & drag around another expensive/bulky/heavy 50 Amp extension.

I found a short adapter plug at CW that converts 50 to 30 and am thinking of not even carrying any heavy 50 Amp umbilicals with me.

I'm not an electrician but I think my reasoning here is ok. Anyone have a different opinion?

[Desert185]

My SRX is also 50A, and I don't carry an extension. So far, (thankfully) we haven't needed a 50A extension. We do have 30A and 15/20A adapters, though. I think the only reason you would need 50A is to run two AC's at the same time. Since you only have one AC, you should be fine with your 30A setup.

[SAABDOCTOR]

HARMINI you are ok. i have two a/c units and 50 amps. if we go to a park with only 30 amps i use the adaptor to take my 50 to a 30 plug just can't use the second a/c. and if i do have a the breaker at the pedistal reminds me of my stupidity. you will be fine till you put that second a/c up there

[GaryWT]

At some places the 30a will not let you run AC, hot water and the fridge at once but as others said, with one AC unit you will be fine in most places.

[bdaniel]

I installed a manual transfer switch so I can power my RV from my Honda EU3000 generator or from 50 amp shore power. I have a 30 amp wire run from the transfer switch to the kingpin area with a 30 amp twist lock connector commonly found on generators. I connect this wire to the generator while running the generator.

I have a 10 gauge 30 AMP extension cord with a female twist lock connector on one end and a standard 30 AMP RV male connector on the other end. When I only need 30 AMPs or the campground only has 30 amps I use this much lighter 30 AMP cord to connect shore power to the cord in the kingpin area.

If I want/have 50 AMPs of shore power, I flip the transfer switch and drag out the huge, heavy, stiff anaconda 50 AMP cord. That thing is a pain.

I like not having to drag it out all the time.

I have not needed 50 AMPs yet as we have only had this RV for 9 months. But next summer I want to try running both ACs, the water heater, microwave, coffee maker, etc all at once just to see it work. I have always only had 30 AMPs and have gotten pretty good at load balancing.

Also you know of course that a properly wired 50 AMP service is actually two legs of 120v at 50 AMPs. So you have a total of 100 amps to use. That is why the anaconda cord is so large.

http://www.myrv.us/electric/pg/50amp_service.htm

Bobby