upgrading my 30 amp service to a 50 amp

I've read many of these 30 to 50 amp conversions and often wonder why people make it so difficult. Why would you not just:
1. buy a small 8 or 12 space main breaker (50A/2p) 120/240v, 1phase load center.
2. buy new 50a rv cord.
3. buy new 30a/1p breaker for load center

Then, connect cord to load center, connect existing panel (30A) to new 30A/1p breaker in new load center. Now put all new loads on other breakers in new load center and if you need to move a load or 2 from existing 30A panel to new load center as needed.

The generator can only do 30A/1ph anyway so this alleviates the need to do any rewiring of the existing electrical system. You just have to understand that anything on the new load center will not have generator to it. This can be done in a couple of hours.

garry1p wrote:
Scott care to quote what NEC code this would violate?

CG running 2 120V lines for the pedestal I believe the requirement is to have a single 50 amp breaker.

CG running with a single neutral 220V you use a ganged 50 amp breaker allowing 100 amps.

The first statement could be true if using some other NEMA receptacle but not with 14-50R. I don't know what it would be but it cannot be the 14-50R.
The second of your statements is true with qualifier; The two hots must be out of phase with each other.

I don't remember the number off the top of my head and there's no reason to go looking for it.
Please show me one NEC drawing where having the two hots tied together on the appropriate NEMA 14-50R (the receptacle 50A RV's use).
You won't be able to because the sizing and number of conductors makes it electrically impossible to carry the rated load.

Ryan7361 wrote:
Short version:
I'm upgrading my 30 amp service to a 50 amp.
I'm comfortable with the actual work, just need someone to point me toward a new 50 amp distribution panel with a converter and a battery charger! Anyone know of any good brands/sources?

Have you considered a dual power adapter for running your rear A/C on a separate circuit before embarking on such and endeavour? Do you have an Energy Management System in the coach that would simplify things with this simple modification?

Scott care to quote what NEC code this would violate?

CG running 2 120V lines for the pedestal I believe the requirement is to have a single 50 amp breaker.

CG running with a single neutral 220V you use a ganged 50 amp breaker allowing 100 amps.

Desertcat921 wrote:
The problem here is that not all parks are 240 VAC for 50 amps some just use 120 paralleled to both hot legs so neutral carries the whole sum of the two legs. This means if the neutral is smaller and you are using heavily you may have an overheated wire ....Jerry

Then this would be in direct violation of the NEC and should be reported.
This is not a normal or common condition.
And a balanced load would be the least of your problems.

Come on guys, lets not delve into obscure what-if's to try and prove what is in every way technically wrong.

hardtobe wrote:
I wonder how the 50 amp breaker at the pedistall or main panel in MH would hold up with 3 AC,s and a dryer going at full bore would hold up

As long as neither L1 nor L2 was loaded to more than 50 amps (100 amps total), it would work fine.

A lot of the answer would depend on how well balanced the loads are-- with three A/C's, most everything other than the dryer (which draws on both L1 and L2)would need to be on the "one A/C" breaker.

wolf ?I wrote my post as to sort of clarify for street folk.50 amp Motor homes in a general sence are not thought of as 240V.As u must be aware of I fully realize 240V is attainable as that's what is at the pedistal
There are very very few Motorhomes as we know them(Motor homes) out there with 240V appliances.... just thought using the word 240V was too confussing for most unelectrical people.Yes I fully realize one could wire a 240V circuit if they wanted to in a 50 amp motorhome. I wonder how the 50 amp breaker at the pedistall or main panel in MH would hold up with 3 AC,s and a dryer going at full bore would hold up

It is apparent a few on here do not understand split phase and 60cps.
Keeday and pianotuner have it right.

Voltage at the pedestal L1 left post 120V to neutral, L2 right post 120V to neutral L1 to L2 is 220V

In the RV (or house) when you have a balanced load (L1 and L2 equal loads) say 10 amps on "each" 120V legs the neutral wire carries "NO" current and the load is balanced.

When one leg (L1) pulls 15 amps and the other (L2) pulls 10 you will have 5 amps carried on the neutral.

When you have a device like a 220V oven the oven will work with NO neutral connected but the clock and timer need the neutral so one side of the clock will be tied to one side (L1 OR L2) and neutral will go to the other side of the clock. The clock is now at 120V the oven @ 220V and the neutral will carry the clocks current but NOT the oven heater element current that is a balanced load.

Split phase;
When L1 is at 120V L2 is at 0V, when L2 is at 120V L1 is at 0V.
This changes on each leg 120V to 0 60 times per second. ie 120V @ 60cps.

To check a pedestal measure the voltage as Wolfe10 suggested.

For the OP when you install a new load center DO NOT connect ground and neutral to the same bus. They should only be connected at the source (CG distribution center).

wolfe10 wrote:

Sorry, but let's get this straight.

An RV 50 amp has two hots (as well as neutral and ground) that run from CG distribution panel to the outlet you plug into, then through the shore power cord, through the ATS and into your AC breaker box. JUST LIKE IN YOUR HOUSE.

Yes, just like in your house the vast majority of circuits (except in some large motorhomes) run on one hot, so it is 120 VAC.

But it WILL measure 240 VAC between the two hots and you could have a 240 VAC appliance in your RV if you so desired.

Correct!
There are some motor-homes with a 240V dryer. Their service is no different from any unit with a 50A service, even if they only use the 120V legs.
If the campground service paralelled the 120V to the two legs of the 50A service, a 240V appliance will not work.

The problem here is that not all parks are 240 VAC for 50 amps some just use 120 paralleled to both hot legs so neutral carries the whole sum of the two legs. This means if the neutral is smaller and you are using heavily you may have an overheated wire ....Jerry