Stupid question about power
Just bought my first motorhome a few days ago. Its a 1973 dodge sportsman - western commander. On the side it reads "this connection is for 110-125 volt ac service/ 60 cycle service do not connect to ...
Forum Discussion
mena661 wrote:Dutch_12078 wrote:X2, "50 amp" service is 240V @ 100 amps.Fishinghat wrote:
Don't worry. You won't find a campground with 220 volt service or 50 cycle here in the US, but those are typical in foreign countries.
If you really believe that no campground in the US has 220 volt service available, go to any properly wired 50 amp outlet and connect your volt meter to the vertical slots on each side. Make sure you have it set for at least 250 volts...
Technically you're right. A 50 amp outlet has the potential for 240 volts and some high end coaches take advantage of that potential. But those coaches are very uncommon. However, in Europe 240 volt systems are the norm, and I think that's where the warning originated. My concern was that the poster understand there is little to worry about here in the US. The way most rigs are wired, they will use only the 120 volt power and won't have a problem even if plugged into a 50 amp outlet, even though that outlet does have the 240 volt potential. The object here is not to confuse a newbee or others about damaging their rigs if they plug into a campground post using an adapter purchased from an RV store or even an home improvement store. They are going to be OK.
