What happens if you plug a 50 Amp RV into 22V welder plug

[jeepman71]

I am currious, if my rv were a 50amp system and I plug into a 220V welder or dryer outlet what will I find? What different circuits or equipment would likely be damaged?

Let's assume that this rv is a very late model like a 2012.

I don't have to worry because mine is only a 30amp.

[Jim_and_Barb]

RGordon is absoulty right! I have been an Industrial Maintenance Supervisor for 10 + years. All it is 220 single phase its only two 110 legs with a ground wire where it ties on a buss bar in the box that is also a tie point for your nuteral on a 110 v circut. The AMP rating is how much draw it it can handel while working 30 AMP is normal for a house.

[RGordon]

It will work fine and you will not have any problems on any 220 volt receptacle.
What most of you don't realize is that the neutral and ground and tied together when it hits the electrical panel. I have been using a 50 amp receptacle with only one ground & neutral since 2003 and have never had any shocks or issues within rv and no irregular stray voltages that were mentioned. It works for me for my purposes and would never recommend others do the same. I have been a Electrician for over 40 years and know what I am doing. I did drive a ground rod at the 50 amp receptacle box.

[deleted-2]

I usually try to steer clear of the electrical threads.

It appears there's a lot of confusion with the difference concerning 30 amp (3 pole) or 50 amp (4 pole) service.

Seems like when talking 50 amp folks will speak of 220 volts to the coach.
In the trailer we have the 4\10 gauge line from a commercial source is 110 carried on a split hot line.

One line feeds the AC\IPO, microwave, convertor and fast recovery water heater.
The second line feeds everything else.

I actually didn't realize our trailers wiring was split until I tried to whip up a home adapter for basic power needs on the curb.
Plugged in my adapter and quickly realized the mistake.
Disassembled the plug and jumped a lead to the other hot spade.

Everything in the trailer that uses AC is 110 volts.
So even though we talk 220 volts on a 50 amp service line it is essentially 2 separate 110 inputs.

Our coach doesn't actually use 220 anywhere.

[Old-Biscuit]

vermilye wrote:
Since most welder receptacles don't have a neutral, there is no safe way to connect to them even if you wire an adapter. The ground & neutral should be separate wires; combining them will create shock hazards both in the RV & from the ground wiring between the RV & the source.

Trying to use the RV without a neutral will result in unusual voltages on the two legs - depending on the loads on each leg you could end up with a couple of volts on one & almost 240V on the other.

Attempting to use the ground as a neutral will put the neutral voltage on all the bonded metal between the RV & the source - not only a shock hazard for you in the RV, but also for those that touch plumbing, heating ducts, etc. In other words, unless it is a 4 pole connector wired with separate neutral & ground connections, don't use it.

Thank you....someone that understands electricity and the different ways it can be wired.

[greende]

vermilye wrote:
Since most welder receptacles don't have a neutral, there is no safe way to connect to them even if you wire an adapter. The ground & neutral should be separate wires; combining them will create shock hazards both in the RV & from the ground wiring between the RV & the source.

Trying to use the RV without a neutral will result in unusual voltages on the two legs - depending on the loads on each leg you could end up with a couple of volts on one & almost 240V on the other.

Attempting to use the ground as a neutral will put the neutral voltage on all the bonded metal between the RV & the source - not only a shock hazard for you in the RV, but also for those that touch plumbing, heating ducts, etc. In other works, unless it is a 4 pole connector wired with separate neutral & ground connections, don't use it.

What he said

[tvman44]

If it is a 4 wire receptacle with a ground, neutral & 2 hots it will work fine. If it is only 3 wire like most welding machines 2 hots & a ground it could be disastrous. 😞

[vermilye]

Since most welder receptacles don't have a neutral, there is no safe way to connect to them even if you wire an adapter. The ground & neutral should be separate wires; combining them will create shock hazards both in the RV & from the ground wiring between the RV & the source.

Trying to use the RV without a neutral will result in unusual voltages on the two legs - depending on the loads on each leg you could end up with a couple of volts on one & almost 240V on the other.

Attempting to use the ground as a neutral will put the neutral voltage on all the bonded metal between the RV & the source - not only a shock hazard for you in the RV, but also for those that touch plumbing, heating ducts, etc. In other words, unless it is a 4 pole connector wired with separate neutral & ground connections, don't use it.

[Atom_Ant]

A dryer is only 30A, but a range would be 50A. If I remember, a house range does not require a separate ground so it is only a 3 prong, but a mobile home range does require a separate ground and I believe it uses the same receptacle as the RV pedestal.

I'm probably not saying this right, but the receptacle has two 50A 110VAC circuits - it's the welder that combines them to make it 220VAC. There should be no impact to the RV, as it will just use both legs as 110VAC.

[2oldman]

Be sure you have a VOM at your side before plugging in.

What is 50a service? 2007
RV electric 50a website
RV 50a wiring diagrams

[time2roll]

If the outlet is a NEMA 14-50 you are good to go. Otherwise the plug will not fit.

[Darryl_Rita]

Probably nothing. Most welder plugs don't have a Neutral, so none of the 120 stuff would work, but you SHOULDN'T let the smoke out.

[copeland343]

Not a problem. 220 volts is 220 volts. I have a adapter just for that, we use it when we go to my sister's house.