DIY 50 amp to 20 amp pigtail
I want to plug my tractors block heater into our 50 amp RV service for the upcoming winter months… Our panel has 1 - 50 amp and 2 - 20 amp breakers… both 20 services are taken and currently used ye...
Forum Discussion
The breakers in the sub panel do not have to add up to the capacity of the supply. Look at your house main panel as an example to see far more than 200A or whatever size panel you have.
Consider too that 50A at 240V is equivalent to 100A at 120V. So you can put several 20A breakers in there and not have an issue even if all were maxed out.
I also see no reason to turn breakers on and off as use them. The 50A breaker at the house will prevent you from overloading the supply.
On final nit pick: You still have a 240V plug in your barn if the RV plug is a 50A one. The RV just uses it as two 50A , 120V circuits.
Consider too that 50A at 240V is equivalent to 100A at 120V. So you can put several 20A breakers in there and not have an issue even if all were maxed out.
I also see no reason to turn breakers on and off as use them. The 50A breaker at the house will prevent you from overloading the supply.
On final nit pick: You still have a 240V plug in your barn if the RV plug is a 50A one. The RV just uses it as two 50A , 120V circuits.
