Siting at the lake last weekend and I notice the DW has the washer running, the dryer, the convection oven, fireplace with heat, two small space heaters, bunch of lights, tv, satellite, and the water heater and fridge are on electric. I start thinking about how much we are pulling and since the PI EMS 50 has the display it was easy. Wow, 44 amps on line 1 and 39 on line 2. When we had our other 5th wheel with 30 amp service we always had to watch what was running if she used her hair dryer and since we had a PI EMS 30 it was easy to do. I have seen questions on here before asking if 50 amp power is worth it as an option on some trailers and I can tell you it is. You really have 100 amps to use instead of 30 and that is a lot. I don't think we are ever going to have to count amps again.

We ordered our new Newmar with 30 amp service. Tried to get it upgraded to 50 but was told not available in the unit we wanted. One of the downsides of wanting a short motorhome I guess. Have used 30 amps for years and now we still will.

I love my 50 amp service. I would hate to go back to 30 amp.

Hi,Back in 2004, Weekend Warior would install a 50 amp optional service in their 30 amp trailers at the dealership. It only takes about 4 hours once you have done a couple of them. Basically they installed a 50 amp panel in a storage compartment, then ran a 30 amp breaker to the factory 30 amp pane, ran 20 amp breakers for the A/C units, and installed some 20 amp new receptacles in the garage area. It is pretty simple to install a 50 amp service in anything.Fred.

We have a 50 amp trailer and you sure get spoiled with not worrying about what to operate. We are currently at a park with only 30 amp service. Seems like we are in the stone ages. Before we turn on something else, we check the power panel to see how many amps we are drawing. WEll, up to 28 amps...now what do we turn off so that we can run the microwave, etc.Ken

Our 5er has 50 amp service -- and we seldom use anywhere near that capacity with one a/c and no washer-dryer so generally just use the more easily handled 30 amp cable and a converter plug instead of dragging that ponderous wire and, often the equally cumbersome extension cord especially if we are only going to stay a couple days. Now, if I add the second a/c which is being considered, I might just have some surplus cable.

50 Amp service is nice! | Good Sam Community

wildtoad
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2015
We ordered our new Newmar with 30 amp service. Tried to get it upgraded to 50 but was told not available in the unit we wanted. One of the downsides of wanting a short motorhome I guess. Have used 30 amps for years and now we still will.
CarlT100
Explorer
Dec 19, 2015
I love my 50 amp service. I would hate to go back to 30 amp.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Dec 20, 2015
Hi,

Back in 2004, Weekend Warior would install a 50 amp optional service in their 30 amp trailers at the dealership. It only takes about 4 hours once you have done a couple of them.

Basically they installed a 50 amp panel in a storage compartment, then ran a 30 amp breaker to the factory 30 amp pane, ran 20 amp breakers for the A/C units, and installed some 20 amp new receptacles in the garage area. It is pretty simple to install a 50 amp service in anything.

Fred.
TXiceman
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2015
We have a 50 amp trailer and you sure get spoiled with not worrying about what to operate. We are currently at a park with only 30 amp service. Seems like we are in the stone ages. Before we turn on something else, we check the power panel to see how many amps we are drawing. WEll, up to 28 amps...now what do we turn off so that we can run the microwave, etc.

Ken
Irelands_child
Explorer
Dec 20, 2015
Our 5er has 50 amp service -- and we seldom use anywhere near that capacity with one a/c and no washer-dryer so generally just use the more easily handled 30 amp cable and a converter plug instead of dragging that ponderous wire and, often the equally cumbersome extension cord especially if we are only going to stay a couple days. Now, if I add the second a/c which is being considered, I might just have some surplus cable.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2015
Irelands child wrote:
Our 5er has 50 amp service -- and we seldom use anywhere near that capacity with one a/c and no washer-dryer so generally just use the more easily handled 30 amp cable and a converter plug instead of dragging that ponderous wire and, often the equally cumbersome extension cord especially if we are only going to stay a couple days. Now, if I add the second a/c which is being considered, I might just have some surplus cable.

Not an issue if you have the right 50 amp cable (6/4 SO)! :B
This is our 40' cable stored in a 3 gal bucket.
mtofell1
Explorer
Dec 20, 2015
I love the things I learn on this board :) I always wondered how those big 5th wheels and diesel pushers could survive with 50A when I have run out on my TT with 30A.

The 30A is just @ 120V and the 50A is at 240V. So, like someone said - it's actually like 100A compared to 30A. So, are all the A/C systems and even clothes dryers on the big rigs just 120V? (on houses they are usually 240V which is why I'm asking).
Learjet
Explorer
Dec 20, 2015
yes 50 amp, or should I say 100 amps... and EMS :) can't go back...:)
christopherglen
Explorer
Dec 20, 2015
mtofell1 wrote:
I love the things I learn on this board :) I always wondered how those big 5th wheels and diesel pushers could survive with 50A when I have run out on my TT with 30A.

The 30A is just @ 120V and the 50A is at 240V. So, like someone said - it's actually like 100A compared to 30A. So, are all the A/C systems and even clothes dryers on the big rigs just 120V? (on houses they are usually 240V which is why I'm asking).

Yes, that way there is only one version of equipment (VS 120 & 240) and you can still use 30 or 15 amp if that is all that is available.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2015
mtofell1 wrote:
I love the things I learn on this board :) I always wondered how those big 5th wheels and diesel pushers could survive with 50A when I have run out on my TT with 30A.

The 30A is just @ 120V and the 50A is at 240V. So, like someone said - it's actually like 100A compared to 30A. So, are all the A/C systems and even clothes dryers on the big rigs just 120V? (on houses they are usually 240V which is why I'm asking).

30A.....1 hot leg, 1 neutral, 1 ground -------- 3600W Total
50A.....2 separate hot legs, 1 neutral, 1 ground ------- 12,000W Total (6000W per hot leg)

50A Main panel has 2 busses with 1 hot feeding each buss. Individual CBs feeding circuits and hopefully 'electrician' at factory balanced the loads