I'm glad this video was helpful Polly. I made another video a while back that goes into even more detail about how to manage power in an RV. You would probably enjoy that one too. It's here - ua-cam.com/video/A7-EeOR0yrg/v-deo.html
A 30 amp RV can plug into a 50 amp service pole if you use an adapter that steps down the power from 50 amps to 30 amps. That will then provide only 30 amps for the use of the RV.
Hi Bill. If you are asking about upgrading your RV from 30 amps to 50 amps of service, it's most likely too expensive to reasonably consider. It would be best to just buy a different RV that has the 50 amp wiring and service already installed. Thanks for watching!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Yes, but I was thinking of living in it full time and prefer the smaller double bunkhouse type like the Salem DBK. with a back up and supplemental small window unit. Something I could easily tow.
Hi Duane thanks for explain about amps on RV's question I own a fifth wheel with 2 A/C and 50amps breaker system with 6/4 cord. Can I use a 10/4 cord 220volts I have a 30amps breaker 220volts outlet for my welder outside of my garage means going from 30amps 220volts 10/4 cord using a 4 prong plug one end and 4 prong outlet the other end (custom made) to connect my 50amps 6/4 cord from my Trailer remember my trailer it's a 50amps 220volts system I made the extension cord. thinking I will be getting 7200 watts the extension from the RV it's the one came on the trailer and sometimes a plug to 30amps 120 with the adapter thanks so much
Sorry Pedro, I am not an electrical whiz. I just know how RV electrical systems are designed to work. Questions on using anything other than the regular RV power line is above my pay grade. :-)
If you have a 30 amp 240 input receptacle on your camper does that mean you will have 7200 watts of power if you use a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter at the pole? Seems like that would be two 30 amp capable circuits with 3600 watts a piece. Is this even possible or ever even done?
Hi William. I am not an electrical expert. What I know is that 30 amp RV services only allow a maximum of 3600 watts of simultaneous power being used whereas 50 amp RV services and wiring allow a maximum of 12,000 watts of power in use at one time. Anything over those limits and you will be tripping breakers in the RV as a protection.
@@RVInspectionAndCare I'm not an RV'r but I do have electrical experience. What would be the more common electrical service found at a RV hookup site - 50 or 30 amp? I'm trying to wire a camper for use of a generator and or RV hookup if available. Trying to determine if I should use a 30 or 50 amp input power connection on the camper. Thanks!
@@wlliampowell6671 I'm not sure whether you can say that either 30 amp or 50 amp service is more common than the other these days. In many cases they are both available on the power pedestal. Of course, wiring an RV for 50 amp service requires much higher gauge wire and heavy duty electrical fittings. But one of the main reasons that RV manufacturers install 50 amp service in an RV is to allow it to run more than one air conditioner at the same time.
If you can use a 50amp on a 30amp camper...can you use a 60amp breaker on a 50amp camper. Would this burn up the regulator or would a surge protector insure 50amps supplied?
Hi Gary, as I understand it, the surge protector would most likely protect the electrical system from overload. However, let me emphasize that I am not an electrician or an expert in electrical wiring. I would suggest that you ask that question of someone who has better credentials in this area than I do. I have a good understanding about RV electrical systems when used in a normal way. But outside of that it's best to ask an expert.
Thank you, very easy to understand. My question now is can you run some of the things on a 50amp trailer from a 30amp hookup with and adapter. I know there are some camp grounds where there is only 30amp available.
Hi William. Here are a couple of links to articles I have written that help answer questions about using electrical power adapters on RVs - rvinspectionandcare.com/50-amp-to-30-amp-adapter-2/ and rvinspectionandcare.com/50-amp-to-30-amp-adapter/ I hope that helps.
Yes, that is where a lot of folks get tripped up. They don't realize that on a 50 amp RV service there are two lines of 120 volts coming in instead of just one in the 30 amp RV. That's why a 50 amp RV can have so many extra luxuries and power hungry devices without tripping breakers all the time.
Actually when I say that a 30 amp RV draws a maximum of 3600 watts, that is the total amount of simultaneous power that it can draw at any one time. So there is not a measurement of time involved. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
@@DeeJayHouser1 The maximum wattage that is the limit for any RV electrical service before it trips a breaker depends on how much power is being consumed simultaneously or at the same time, not the cumulative amount used in an hour. You may be confusing this with the amp hour ratings of an RV deep cycle battery, and it's not the same thing.
How low can you go on volts before you risk damage to your rv appliances? What kind of meter can you install in the motorhome to measure amps used in a 24hr period. Many campgrounds charge extra for 50 amp service and I don't know if I always need it. I don't have anything to measure my power usage per hour/day. When I stay at a campground for 21 days, that extra 5 or 10 dollars a day really adds up. Thank you
Hi Ronald. Anything below 108 volts is generally considered unsafe for your electrical system and items plugged into it. And I have seen products on Amazon that seem to allow you to monitor the amp usage on a rig but I have not had any experience with them. Just search for "amp meter for rv" on Amazon and see what comes up. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
simple and to the point.thanks everyone else tries to talk this to death.
I'm glad you enjoyed this video Lawrence. Safe and happy travels to you!
Thank You! Finally! Finally, someone explains this to this old man in a way I can understand it! Lol!
LOL ... so glad that this video was helpful. Have safe and happy RV travels!
Excellent explanation Sir ! Thank you so much for your channel! 👍
I'm so glad that you are enjoying it. Thanks for watching!
I never understood electricity and the RV. Thank you so much for explaining it so simply. Now I know how many watts I can use at one time! Happy 😊
I'm glad this video was helpful Polly. I made another video a while back that goes into even more detail about how to manage power in an RV. You would probably enjoy that one too. It's here - ua-cam.com/video/A7-EeOR0yrg/v-deo.html
Many campground in my area of upstate ny don't allow RV air-conditioning use unless you have your own generator
That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Excellent video! Thank you for the info!
So glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for leaving a nice comment!
Thanks, Duane.......easy to follow explanation and I learned something new.
Great to hear that Robert. This subject can be a little technical, so I'm glad it was easy to follow. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for another great video.🙂
So nice of you to say. Thanks for leaving some positive feedback. It's much appreciated!
Thank you Duane for a great explanation between thirty and fifty amp power. I'd like a fire hose please! SAFE TRAVELS
Yep. I think I'm a fire hose kind of guy too Ron. :-)
These videos are so very helpful! Thank you for your time sir!
Glad to hear that. Thanks for watching and leaving a positive comment!
So can a 30 amp trailer run off a fifty amp breaker and get more power
A 30 amp RV can plug into a 50 amp service pole if you use an adapter that steps down the power from 50 amps to 30 amps. That will then provide only 30 amps for the use of the RV.
Well done, thank you….and now, how do I upgrade from 30 amp to 50
Hi Bill. If you are asking about upgrading your RV from 30 amps to 50 amps of service, it's most likely too expensive to reasonably consider. It would be best to just buy a different RV that has the 50 amp wiring and service already installed. Thanks for watching!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Yes, but I was thinking of living in it full time and prefer the smaller double bunkhouse type like the Salem DBK. with a back up and supplemental small window unit. Something I could easily tow.
Thanks. Great video. It would be interesting to talk about having a 50 amp RV in a 30 amp site and vice versa.
Great suggestion Randall. That's a video that will be coming soon. Thanks for giving me that feedback on video subjects. It's much appreciated!
Hi Duane thanks for explain about amps on RV's question I own a fifth wheel with 2 A/C and 50amps breaker system with 6/4 cord. Can I use a 10/4 cord 220volts I have a 30amps breaker 220volts outlet for my welder outside of my garage
means going from 30amps 220volts 10/4 cord using a 4 prong plug one end and 4 prong outlet the other end (custom made) to connect my 50amps 6/4 cord from my Trailer remember my trailer it's a 50amps 220volts system I made the extension cord. thinking I will be getting 7200 watts the extension from the RV it's the one came on the trailer and sometimes a plug to 30amps 120 with the adapter thanks so much
Sorry Pedro, I am not an electrical whiz. I just know how RV electrical systems are designed to work. Questions on using anything other than the regular RV power line is above my pay grade. :-)
@@RVInspectionAndCare thanks so much
If you have a 30 amp 240 input receptacle on your camper does that mean you will have 7200 watts of power if you use a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter at the pole? Seems like that would be two 30 amp capable circuits with 3600 watts a piece. Is this even possible or ever even done?
Hi William. I am not an electrical expert. What I know is that 30 amp RV services only allow a maximum of 3600 watts of simultaneous power being used whereas 50 amp RV services and wiring allow a maximum of 12,000 watts of power in use at one time. Anything over those limits and you will be tripping breakers in the RV as a protection.
@@RVInspectionAndCare I'm not an RV'r but I do have electrical experience. What would be the more common electrical service found at a RV hookup site - 50 or 30 amp? I'm trying to wire a camper for use of a generator and or RV hookup if available. Trying to determine if I should use a 30 or 50 amp input power connection on the camper. Thanks!
@@wlliampowell6671 I'm not sure whether you can say that either 30 amp or 50 amp service is more common than the other these days. In many cases they are both available on the power pedestal. Of course, wiring an RV for 50 amp service requires much higher gauge wire and heavy duty electrical fittings. But one of the main reasons that RV manufacturers install 50 amp service in an RV is to allow it to run more than one air conditioner at the same time.
If you can use a 50amp on a 30amp camper...can you use a 60amp breaker on a 50amp camper. Would this burn up the regulator or would a surge protector insure 50amps supplied?
Hi Gary, as I understand it, the surge protector would most likely protect the electrical system from overload. However, let me emphasize that I am not an electrician or an expert in electrical wiring. I would suggest that you ask that question of someone who has better credentials in this area than I do. I have a good understanding about RV electrical systems when used in a normal way. But outside of that it's best to ask an expert.
Thank you, very easy to understand. My question now is can you run some of the things on a 50amp trailer from a 30amp hookup with and adapter. I know there are some camp grounds where there is only 30amp available.
Hi William. Here are a couple of links to articles I have written that help answer questions about using electrical power adapters on RVs - rvinspectionandcare.com/50-amp-to-30-amp-adapter-2/ and rvinspectionandcare.com/50-amp-to-30-amp-adapter/ I hope that helps.
Thanks for the simple explanation on the 50 amp power. You get 50 Amp from each leg from the 220Volt 50 amp two pole breaker?
Yes, that is where a lot of folks get tripped up. They don't realize that on a 50 amp RV service there are two lines of 120 volts coming in instead of just one in the 30 amp RV. That's why a 50 amp RV can have so many extra luxuries and power hungry devices without tripping breakers all the time.
Is that per hour? for total watts.
Actually when I say that a 30 amp RV draws a maximum of 3600 watts, that is the total amount of simultaneous power that it can draw at any one time. So there is not a measurement of time involved. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
@@RVInspectionAndCare So, your saying that i can draw 3600 watts every second, not per hour amp rating?
@@DeeJayHouser1 The maximum wattage that is the limit for any RV electrical service before it trips a breaker depends on how much power is being consumed simultaneously or at the same time, not the cumulative amount used in an hour. You may be confusing this with the amp hour ratings of an RV deep cycle battery, and it's not the same thing.
How low can you go on volts before you risk damage to your rv appliances? What kind of meter can you install in the motorhome to measure amps used in a 24hr period. Many campgrounds charge extra for 50 amp service and I don't know if I always need it. I don't have anything to measure my power usage per hour/day. When I stay at a campground for 21 days, that extra 5 or 10 dollars a day really adds up. Thank you
Hi Ronald. Anything below 108 volts is generally considered unsafe for your electrical system and items plugged into it. And I have seen products on Amazon that seem to allow you to monitor the amp usage on a rig but I have not had any experience with them. Just search for "amp meter for rv" on Amazon and see what comes up. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching!