I'm finally adding central air to my house, which affords me an opportunity to also wire in dedicated RV power.Their price for a basic 30 amp wall plug install is very reasonable, but I'm considering going for the gusto and getting a box with 50/30/20 and breakers. I don't need 50 amp service, but it might be good to have for possible but doubtful upgrades, and maybe it will add a little value to the homestead when I get around to selling.I'm assuming those boxes, which are expensive, must be already internally wired and simply need to be connected to a source. Is that correct? Does anybody ever NEED 50 amp to their RV when at home? And does anybody know if the 30 amp and 20 amp are on the same leg (in phase)?

Seldom do I ever need 50 amps for the RV at Home. At most when parked at home, I may run one air and have the Residential Refrig cooling. While a commercial pedestal is nice(I don't think they are pre-wired) so I have only my 50 amp outlet which I can use Pig-tails to step down if needed/wanted.

I have a sub panel in my garage and could add a 30 amp RV plug in 10 minutes if I wanted. I still haven't. 15 amps is plenty for home use. The most I run at home is the fridge and maybe the A/C just to keep it cool while I'm loading things. I definitely don't need 50 amps at my house for anything; even my air compressor and welder don't pull that even if both were running at full output at the same time.

I would consult a qualified electrician, and pay for an expert installation, with quality of workmanship guarantees, if I decided to do something like this.

MDKMDK wrote:I would consult a qualified electrician, and pay for an expert installation, with quality of workmanship guarantees, if I decided to do something like this.It IS being professionally done. I'm simply trying to learn from my fellow RVers before I commit to a course of action. The "phase" question was simply inquiring how much 120v amperage would be available. I think I'll keep it simple and get a basic 50 amp install, then use the dogbone adapters I already own to step it down. No need for all the complication. Thanks for the replies!

Install the 50/30/20 amp box. It will not cost that much more, and it will let you or a visitor have access to a plug.

Adding a dedicated RV power plug. What would you do?

39 Replies

houstonstroker
Explorer
May 16, 2019
BB_TX wrote:
50/30/20 panel for $120

Don’t know you would ever use 50 unless you, or someone else, wanted to run two A/Cs.

I live in Houston where it is hot and humid. If we are getting ready for a trip I plug into my home 50 amp and both ACs are running full blast. I see lots of posts about people camping without air conditioning. I'm jealous cuz I know it is nowhere near Houston.
BB_TX
Nomad
May 16, 2019
50/30/20 panel for $120

Don’t know you would ever use 50 unless you, or someone else, wanted to run two A/Cs.
wopachop
Explorer
May 16, 2019
Nice choice!! Having them install a single 30 would a be a mistake in my opinion. Im not paying for it but the price difference shouldnt be too major i would guess?

I ended up doing the same. Single 50a. Sometimes i run 120v power tools off the trailer if im working on things down there.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 16, 2019
You need 120v for the 30a RV not usual stick house 240v. (Except perhaps for the 50a--I am totally confused about 50a)

Many sad posts on here from those who hired professional electricians who then happily set up 30a/240v pedestals for the RV. Of course this fried the RV appliances. :(

Big lesson is don't trust anybody---after the job is done, use your own multimeter in the new "RV" receptacle to confirm 120v BEFORE you plug in your RV.
wra
Explorer
May 16, 2019
Install the 50/30/20 amp box. It will not cost that much more, and it will let you or a visitor have access to a plug.
TurnThePage
Explorer
May 16, 2019
MDKMDK wrote:
I would consult a qualified electrician, and pay for an expert installation, with quality of workmanship guarantees, if I decided to do something like this.
It IS being professionally done. I'm simply trying to learn from my fellow RVers before I commit to a course of action. The "phase" question was simply inquiring how much 120v amperage would be available.

I think I'll keep it simple and get a basic 50 amp install, then use the dogbone adapters I already own to step it down. No need for all the complication.

Thanks for the replies!
MDKMDK
Explorer
May 16, 2019
I would consult a qualified electrician, and pay for an expert installation, with quality of workmanship guarantees, if I decided to do something like this.
twodownzero
Explorer
May 16, 2019
I have a sub panel in my garage and could add a 30 amp RV plug in 10 minutes if I wanted. I still haven't. 15 amps is plenty for home use. The most I run at home is the fridge and maybe the A/C just to keep it cool while I'm loading things. I definitely don't need 50 amps at my house for anything; even my air compressor and welder don't pull that even if both were running at full output at the same time.
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
May 16, 2019
Seldom do I ever need 50 amps for the RV at Home. At most when parked at home, I may run one air and have the Residential Refrig cooling. While a commercial pedestal is nice(I don't think they are pre-wired) so I have only my 50 amp outlet which I can use Pig-tails to step down if needed/wanted.

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Adding a dedicated RV power plug. What would you do?

39 Replies

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