Pulling more than 50 amps ?

I would not be surprised at all if some of the large very high end MHs with 3 A/Cs and mostly all electric for everything else could easily pull over 100 amps and exceed the 240vac/50 amp park supply. 3 A/Cs, larger microwaves, induction cooktops, residential fridge, freezers, multiple TVs, high end home theater systems, washer/dryer, etc. along with all the other more common electrical features and that is a lot of power.

I would believe the park electrician.

Lynnmor wrote:
Calling the guy an ignorant idiot is just plain wrong. It is entirely possible that a large RV with 3 AC's to draw more than 50 AMPs on one leg. An RV with 3 AC's probably has a laundry, large refrigerator and possibly a dishwasher and numerous other appliances. It doesn't matter how much the other leg is drawing, the breaker trips if just one exceeds 50 AMP.

Would not the AC be divided and not all on one leg?

Rig could potentially draw 100 amps over both legs. The rig should be wired to put less then 50 amps on each leg. The system is design with load calculations done at 120/240 volts.
Old campgrounds in some cases do not have a properly wired 120/249 volt system. They modified a 120 volt system by connecting both terminals to the same leg. This can overload and can cause damage to the neutral conductor in the shore power cord assembly.
The 50 amp 120/240 circuit breaker could trip if voltage drops increasing amperage.
Calculations followed by true amperage readings is the only way to know for sure.
Some larger rigs have power center that can tell what amperage is being drawn.

Calling the guy an ignorant idiot is just plain wrong. It is entirely possible that a large RV with 3 AC's to draw more than 50 AMPs on one leg. An RV with 3 AC's probably has a laundry, large refrigerator and possibly a dishwasher and numerous other appliances. It doesn't matter how much the other leg is drawing, the breaker trips if just one exceeds 50 AMP.

If you look at a 50 amp breaker you will see that it is actually 2 breakers tied together so that if either side trips (exceeds the 50 amp load) both sides trip. Now it can trip if you are too close to 50 amps for too long but the theoretical load is 50 amps from each breaker.
Another way to understand 30 amp vs. 50 amp service is to understand the total watts available. 30 amp service is 30 amp x 120V = 3600 watts. 50 amp service there are 2 separate 50 amp "legs" for a total of 100 amp. 100 amps x 120V = 12000 watts available.

dougrainer wrote:

Mont G&J wrote:
Park electrician is correct.

Park Electrician is a ignorant idiot. 50 amp service is 100 amps TOTAL supply. 50 amp service on EACH LEG. Doug

Okay, I'm confused. What's the difference between what you're saying "100 Amps total" and what the park electrician said "more than 50 Amps from the pedestal"?

BTW, I would keep that Idiot away from my Campsite and RV. Doug

TechWriter wrote:
Our park electrician says that some of the big rigs with 3 ACs and electric everything can sometimes draw more than 50A from a 50A pedestal.

Truth or BS?

I read this again. It is worded POORLY. The answer is, YES, THEY CAN DRAW MORE THAN 50 AMPS. But, the 50 amp pedestal handles a TOTAL of 100 amps. Doug

Now, this discussion points to a BIG problem with older Campgrounds. The Idiot Electrician may be at a CG that is "wired" for what they call 50 amp service. They have just 1(one) 50 amp breaker split between the 2 HOT leads on the 50 amp cord. Technically, I guess, you could call that 50 amp service, but it is NOT as it relates to a 50 amp RV. I call this CHEATED 50 AMP SERVICE. You are charged for 50 amp but they are NOT giving you TRUE 50 amp service. I find this fraud and dishonest. If you have a EMS system on your RV, that system will tell you when you are on CHEATED 50 amp service. It will see that LACK of out of Phase leads and only allow the Rv'er to utilize 30 amps of that 50 amp service. This is what confuses RV'ers. They plug into a 4 prong supposed 50 amp plug and they cannot run all their 120 appliances because the EMS system locks them out. So they think their EMS system is bad. ALL RV'ers should have a digital multitester. If you do not have double the line voltage between the 2 hot legs, you are NOT on 50 amp service. Very simple and needs to be done at every park you go to. Doug

Mont G&J wrote:
Park electrician is correct.

Park Electrician is a ignorant idiot. 50 amp service is 100 amps TOTAL supply. 50 amp service on EACH LEG. Doug