I'm finally adding central air to my house, which affords me an opportunity to also wire in dedicated RV power.Their price for a basic 30 amp wall plug install is very reasonable, but I'm considering going for the gusto and getting a box with 50/30/20 and breakers. I don't need 50 amp service, but it might be good to have for possible but doubtful upgrades, and maybe it will add a little value to the homestead when I get around to selling.I'm assuming those boxes, which are expensive, must be already internally wired and simply need to be connected to a source. Is that correct? Does anybody ever NEED 50 amp to their RV when at home? And does anybody know if the 30 amp and 20 amp are on the same leg (in phase)?

Seldom do I ever need 50 amps for the RV at Home. At most when parked at home, I may run one air and have the Residential Refrig cooling. While a commercial pedestal is nice(I don't think they are pre-wired) so I have only my 50 amp outlet which I can use Pig-tails to step down if needed/wanted.

I have a sub panel in my garage and could add a 30 amp RV plug in 10 minutes if I wanted. I still haven't. 15 amps is plenty for home use. The most I run at home is the fridge and maybe the A/C just to keep it cool while I'm loading things. I definitely don't need 50 amps at my house for anything; even my air compressor and welder don't pull that even if both were running at full output at the same time.

I would consult a qualified electrician, and pay for an expert installation, with quality of workmanship guarantees, if I decided to do something like this.

MDKMDK wrote:I would consult a qualified electrician, and pay for an expert installation, with quality of workmanship guarantees, if I decided to do something like this.It IS being professionally done. I'm simply trying to learn from my fellow RVers before I commit to a course of action. The "phase" question was simply inquiring how much 120v amperage would be available. I think I'll keep it simple and get a basic 50 amp install, then use the dogbone adapters I already own to step it down. No need for all the complication. Thanks for the replies!

Install the 50/30/20 amp box. It will not cost that much more, and it will let you or a visitor have access to a plug.

Adding a dedicated RV power plug. What would you do?

allen8106
Explorer
May 23, 2019
I don't "need" 50 amps but I did install a 50 amp outlet just in case. It's much nicer mucking around inside the 5ver when I can turn on the AC and sty cool. I rather have and not need than need it and not have it!
TurnThePage
Explorer
May 23, 2019
Thanks all!
wolfe10
Explorer
May 23, 2019
TurnThePage wrote:
It's my understanding that 240v is simply two 120v legs that are 180 degrees out of phase.

This is correct. Don't let semantics confuse you.

The 50 amp outlet will be exactly like a house-type stove/oven outlet: 2 hots to the outer straights, neutral to center straight and ground to center round.

The 30 will NOT be the same as a house-type 30 amp. It will have ONE hot, a neutral and a ground.

The 20 amp will be the same as the house-type with one hot, one neutral and a ground.
time2roll
Nomad
May 23, 2019
No. Power in the USA is either single phase or 3-phase. You do not have 3-phase at home.

Transformer that produces 240 volts has a center tap. Each hot has 120v to the center tap (neutral) and 240 volts to each other. A better term is 'split phase'. Still it is single phase power.

The word 'phase' has two different meanings that get crossed up with alternating current. The two meanings have to do with phase shift and frequency. wiki explains it better than I will here.
TurnThePage
Explorer
May 23, 2019
I'm leaning toward the 20/30/50 install. I'm not an electrician but know enough to be dangerous. And, no I'm not doing my own install but really want to understand the one thing that keeps popping up in the descriptions, "single phase". It's my understanding that 240v is simply two 120v legs that are 180 degrees out of phase. Doesn't that mean "2 phase"?
2manytoyz
Explorer
May 17, 2019
I installed a 30A outlet on my house when I moved in, and already owned a 25' TT. I've since purchased a 35' Class A, which uses 50A. I'm currently using a 30A to 50A adapter.

I recently purchased a 50A breaker from my local Home Depot. Took an old breaker with me to make sure I got the right kind to fit. Bought the fat feed wire, and a 50A RV outlet too: https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-50-Amp-Temporary-RV-Power-Outlet-U054P/100193650

I didn't bother with the outside breaker. Didn't see much need for it since I power down the RV electrical appliances before connecting or disconnecting.

I wish I would have put in the 50A to begin with. At least I can use the old wire in the wall to pull the newer (larger gauge) wire.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
May 17, 2019
Our M/H requires 50 AMP, so that is what we installed. 1 small box on the side of the house.
js218
Explorer
May 17, 2019
Have full hook ups with 50 amp service installed at 3 properties in 3 different states all installed by licensed electricians, all work as they should. If unable to do it yourself hire a professional.
Halmfamily
Explorer
May 17, 2019
I have a 50amp receptacle installed for our RV. We use our RV as a guest house when company is here and they can run whatever they need. For the little extra in money go 50amp.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
May 17, 2019
"I think I'll keep it simple and get a basic 50 amp install"

Good call!!!

No need for a outdoor disconnect. Use the 50A breaker for your disconnect.