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Iraqvet05's avatar
Iraqvet05
Explorer
May 14, 2013

30A EMS on 50A service?

I'm looking to purchase a Progressive hardwired 30A EMS. The Progressive site says the EMS is still effective on 15A service but will it protect (and stay on line) using a 50A feed if the TT is pulling it's normal 30 amps?
  • Robin1953 you are correct, I'd just be using a dogbone connector to adapt my 30A TT. There maybe occasions when the 30A plug at a CG maybe too loose or damaged and I'd want to use the 50A feed and the adapter.
  • I am assuming that the RV has the standard 30 AMP cord/plug. You will need a 50 AMP to 30 AMP "dogbone" to make the connection. From my understanding that reduces the 50 AMP down to one 120V leg. You shouldn't have any problems using the 30 AMP EMS in the RV. JMHO
  • What most of the systems do is cycle off the A/C compressors while the RV is using more than the programmed input power amount. So it can also cycle off the electric water heater if you have one.

    This normally should keep the 15 amp circuit breaker from tripping, however it will not cycle off some receptacles, such as the TV set, so if you run the microwave and toaster, the EMS will shut off the relay that allows the water heater and A/C compressor to run, but can do nothing else to lower the amperage being used by the receptacles.

    If you have a 30 amp service, and desire plugging into a 50 amp service, it is possible to modify your RV to accept the larger service, about $400 in work and parts.

    I have a 30 amp service, and never tripped my 30 amp main in 17 years, with about 4 years living full time in the RV. I just remember to shut off my A/C while running the microwave, and do not exceed about 25 amps while using electric heaters, or the toaster, or such larger loads.

    Remember that your battery charger will be using about 1-2 amps all the time, the refrigerator can use 3 amps while the heating element is running, so cycling off the refrigerator to gas on a hot day not only provides more cooling capacity, it will save a little amperage too. The refrigerator can run a full 8 hours during a hot day, and a total of 16 - 22 hours during a 24 hour period when it is over 85 at night and 105 during the day, and still not keep up, the refrigerator might go over 43F inside if not changed to gas.

    Fred.

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