Can you run a 220v A/C unit off a 50 amp service? I want to install a mini split unit and Im totally confused about "two hot feeds- split main breaker box" Thanks for responses.

Some yes some no! Mostly no!1)Identify your exact main breaker in the 120/240 volt power distribution panel.2) check with local electrical supply house to see if they brand and series of breakers offer a mini split breaker with handle ties.3) verify amperage requirement of mini split. check to see if brand and series offer a breaker that has main of 50 amp and other portion in the amperage required by mini splitBreaker would look something like thisQuad breaker common tripMust have common trip. So the use of breakers in normal panel would not offer protection.

I can only say that I know it's possible to do it. Friends have mini-split A/C units in their custom build. And other friends have a 220v clothing dryer.I don't have the foggiest idea how to make it work, though.

nicpaige wrote:Can you run a 220v A/C unit off a 50 amp service? I want to install a mini split unit and Im totally confused about "two hot feeds- split main breaker box" Thanks for responses.Absolutely.50A is 120/240V 50A and you can use 120V appliances or 240V appliances. Some RVs have 240V appliances but they are not common. It is the same type of circuit used in homes except that a common home panel is rated at 100A or 200A.That said some RV CB panels will not accept a dual CB that is required for 240V appliances. I'll try: The secondary winding of the power transformer is a single center tapped winding where the center tap is the neutral. It is therefore single phase regardless of the common claims of 2 phase. The term split phase is a good description.The same 50A RV plug is used in homes for say a 50A oven or the oven can be hardwired.Full description: 120/240V 50A 3 pole 4 wire 60 Hz single phase.

The pictorial of a 50a service will be along shortly.

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Can you run a 220v A/C unit off a 50 amp service?

Kpackpackkelley
Explorer II
Sep 02, 2019
When in doubt call a electrician and it better be a rv electrician not a residential.
PatJ
Explorer II
Sep 02, 2019
Horsedoc wrote:
Some of these answers are scary.

I agree, which is why I usually sit these threads out. Often the amount of misinformation is stunning. To this particular thread I'll add one thing I don't think has been mentioned in case this comes up in someone's future searches.

If you do decide to add a 240v appliance and have the space for the correct HACR tied breaker, there is one more thing to consider. Some campgrounds have three phase feed, so the 14-50 plug ends up being 120/208, which is allowed and legal. In my experience, many/most newer CG out west with 50A are configured this way. So be sure the "240v" appliance you are installing is also listed for 208v (most mini-splits will be.)

The OP made a good call selecting the 120V unit in my opinion.
Horsedoc
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2019
Some of these answers are scary.
nicpaige
Explorer
Sep 01, 2019
Well I purchased the 110v unit. Thanks for all the responses. I will update how the install goes and any issues I run into.
LittleBill
Explorer
Aug 30, 2019
time2roll wrote:
LittleBill wrote:
sayoung wrote:

As has been said before, lots of " 50 " amp service in campgrounds were installed on the cheap so you will have 120 from ea hot leg to neutral but not 240 hot to hot.
Please explain in detail how on the cheap is done with 50 amp and no 240v, because i don't understand how making it 120v only is easier or cheaper.
I think it is a bit rare actually and certainly not in compliance to NEC.
The reports are using a single pole 50a breaker and tie the single hot to both the hot terminals of the outlet. Voila you have "50 amp" service.

that's interesting. Thanks!
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 30, 2019
LittleBill wrote:
sayoung wrote:

As has been said before, lots of " 50 " amp service in campgrounds were installed on the cheap so you will have 120 from ea hot leg to neutral but not 240 hot to hot.
Please explain in detail how on the cheap is done with 50 amp and no 240v, because i don't understand how making it 120v only is easier or cheaper.
I think it is a bit rare actually and certainly not in compliance to NEC.
The reports are using a single pole 50a breaker and tie the single hot to both the hot terminals of the outlet. Voila you have "50 amp" service.
LittleBill
Explorer
Aug 30, 2019
sayoung wrote:

As has been said before, lots of " 50 " amp service in campgrounds were installed on the cheap so you will have 120 from ea hot leg to neutral but not 240 hot to hot.

Please explain in detail how on the cheap is done with 50 amp and no 240v, because i don't understand how making it 120v only is easier or cheaper.
sayoung
Explorer
Aug 30, 2019
ajriding wrote:
You can if there is 2 phase electricity at the plug (A and B), BUT I think both phases must match, must have the same load on them and the same ability to supply. If it were just you powering off the breaker box then no problem, but who know how many campers are powering off only one phase of the box and not the other? You cannot control that. The first response is saying this, but without much of a warning flag waiving.
Great likelihood of damage to your AC unit. Cheaper to get the 120 version.

As has been said before, lots of " 50 " amp service in campgrounds were installed on the cheap so you will have 120 from ea hot leg to neutral but not 240 hot to hot.
Personally, I only have installed a couple hundred of these units and I haven't seen one that I believe would hold up for the long haul attached to a rv traveling constantly. Others may have a different experience.
ajriding
Explorer II
Aug 30, 2019
You can if there is 2 phase electricity at the plug (A and B), BUT I think both phases must match, must have the same load on them and the same ability to supply. If it were just you powering off the breaker box then no problem, but who know how many campers are powering off only one phase of the box and not the other? You cannot control that. The first response is saying this, but without much of a warning flag waiving.
Great likelihood of damage to your AC unit. Cheaper to get the 120 version.
vermilye
Explorer
Aug 30, 2019
While you may need to change the panel or add a sub panel, 240V is available in any normal 50 amp RV service. The biggest problem from my point of view is that you won't be able to run the AC when connected to a 30 amp site using an adapter.

The site wiring that wa8yxm mentioned is rare, but would also present the same problem as using a 30 amp adapter. You need the two legs of 120V, not one leg doubled to get 240V...