Voltage and Load Requirements for 30amp service

With this hodgepodge of different brands and formulation they develop immunity and they come back with sinister grin everytime. I love that " eating peanut butter" bit. :-)

rivalrider wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
If I was going to provide a newer electric system for RV storage customers, I'd put in a 20 Amp system with 15 amp breakers. Cheaper and will easily keep the batteries charged on any older or modern RV of any type. You're looking at less than 5 amps. The RV'ers will supply their own adapter.

This would also prevent abuse which I suspect would happen if you installed 30 Amp outlets.

Abuse would happen because MOST RV'ers have NO CLUE how 120 voltage works on their RV. They would adapt DOWN from the 30 to 15 amp with the adapter and then RUN the AC units and such. That leads to overloading and burnt pins and receptacles. Since he states that customer only have access to their units after they pick up, is good. BUT, what happens when those few customers leave the roof AC or Water Heater ON. When the OP plugs the units in, those appliances will then come on. Doug

Since we park everything valet style we always make sure everything is off when stored.

Since you are checking, I would install 30 amp plugs for the Motorized and 15 amp for the towables. The Valet services in our area will turn the refers on 24 hours before the customer picks up as a courtesy. Doug

dougrainer wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
If I was going to provide a newer electric system for RV storage customers, I'd put in a 20 Amp system with 15 amp breakers. Cheaper and will easily keep the batteries charged on any older or modern RV of any type. You're looking at less than 5 amps. The RV'ers will supply their own adapter.

This would also prevent abuse which I suspect would happen if you installed 30 Amp outlets.

Abuse would happen because MOST RV'ers have NO CLUE how 120 voltage works on their RV. They would adapt DOWN from the 30 to 15 amp with the adapter and then RUN the AC units and such. That leads to overloading and burnt pins and receptacles. Since he states that customer only have access to their units after they pick up, is good. BUT, what happens when those few customers leave the roof AC or Water Heater ON. When the OP plugs the units in, those appliances will then come on. Doug

Since we park everything valet style we always make sure everything is off when stored.

Jim@HiTek wrote:
If I was going to provide a newer electric system for RV storage customers, I'd put in a 20 Amp system with 15 amp breakers. Cheaper and will easily keep the batteries charged on any older or modern RV of any type. You're looking at less than 5 amps. The RV'ers will supply their own adapter.

This would also prevent abuse which I suspect would happen if you installed 30 Amp outlets.

Abuse would happen because MOST RV'ers have NO CLUE how 120 voltage works on their RV. They would adapt DOWN from the 30 to 15 amp with the adapter and then RUN the AC units and such. That leads to overloading and burnt pins and receptacles. Since he states that customer only have access to their units after they pick up, is good. BUT, what happens when those few customers leave the roof AC or Water Heater ON. When the OP plugs the units in, those appliances will then come on. Doug

You could string a 400 amp circuit but would need 30 amp breaker at each site.
Would there be a need for a smaller breaker? At one time I understood a 30a outlet requires a 30a breaker to meet code.

Would avoid a gaggle of adapters to stick with 30a outlets. Battery charge only would be controlled by the lot manager.

I think the op was figuring how many rv's he could charge on ea 30 amp circuits i.e. 1 30 amp breaker and 5 outlets etc. since the Rv owners have no access they won't be touring on heaters etc. valet services are normally in a climate controlled building.

smkettner wrote:
You can string 15a outlets on a 20 amp circuit. Not sure how many are allowed.

We aren't talking about outlets, we are talking about breakers. There is no real detectable difference between a 20A and 15A outlet to the user, other than the 20A will have a slotted neutral. His plug will fit either, so it won't be restricting him from doing anything.

You can string 15a outlets on a 20 amp circuit. Not sure how many are allowed.

Jim@HiTek wrote:
If I was going to provide a newer electric system for RV storage customers, I'd put in a 20 Amp system with 15 amp breakers.

That's actually against Code as well. breakers and wiring gauge need to match - or the wire ends up dissipating the heat from overlaod before the breaker can see it. 12g for 20A, 14g for 15A

Thanks again everyone for all the input. This should be plenty of info for me. We are a full service valet storage company so customers only have access to their units after we pull them out of storage. Appreciate all the help!