Moving from 30 Amp to 50 amp in my new TT

When I got my 50 amp rig I got a 30 amp "Super flex" extension cord and a short 30 to 50 (TT-30 to Marinco 50) cord (like 1 foot) Worked great till the plug/socket (TT-30) melted then I cut 'em off and did a proper splice of the two cords together and that worked till the 50 amp eventually melted down then I cut it back a foot and dumped the 1' part and put a new 50 amp Marinco connector (The Twist lock that mates with the RV's inlet) also replace the inlet and the marinco outlet on the 50 amp "You need a tubing bender". Cord (I mean 14 years what do you expect)

That super flex cord.. At below freezing .. Kind of like rolling up a piece of string. DRY String..

On 30 amp site I use the 30 amp cord. On a 50 the 50 That simple.

Spade Cooley wrote:
I sold my old Travel Trailer with 30 amp system and I just discovered the new trailer I ordered has a 50 amp system. From what I've read I still can power the trailer as it sits next to my garage with the 110 volts outlet. I just plug into 110 to keep the battery charged and to power the inside lighting. I guess the bonus is while in an RV park I can run the coffee maker and other electrical appliances without the usual breaker tripping. I don't believe there are any 220 volt items running off the 50 amp system, I hope. I better carry and adapter, 50 down to 30 in case they do not have 50 amp shore power. The draw back, if there is one, to this new system could be that I will be limited to the trailer spaces without a 50 amp plug. I'm new to this power.

Like you I recently got a 50amp trailer. My only complaint is dealing with the heavy 50amp shore power cord. Even more of a problem when it's cold and you need a conduit bender to roll it up (just kidding).

I still carry a 30 amp cord and adapt to the 50amp inlet fitting at the trailer when only 30amp service is available at the campsite. Much easier to work with.

I will say that you sure get used to the convenience of the 50amp service real quick.

Bosch 500 series washer, look it up. You would use one if you could also.

Sorry the 50A is not MobileSuites specific, it's standard on MANY RV's.

220V Dryer is an option as is the CheapHeat. I went to the Bosch 220 Washer once the Chinese Made POS Whirlpool quit working.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
“I don't believe there are any 220 volt items running off the 50 amp system, I hope.”

Nope. Not a one running 220 volts. Basic RV electricity - “Although a 50 amp service for a recreational vehicle, or RV, is connected to four wires and uses a four-prong plug, it is still a three pole service with only hot, neutral and ground connections. It is different from a conventional 120 volt service in that there are two 120 volt hot feeds, or legs, each at 50 amps.”

Interesting. I have 220v clothes washer AND dryer. I have a standard 50A service. Mine is wired with four wires. Mine uses ALL four wires.

Maybe I gotz a special one???

Interesting that you state 220 WASHER. I have had 220 dryer service in 5 houses and NEVER saw a WASHER 220 outlet or such service. While you can buy 220 washers, WHY would you want one?
YES, you got a special one. You seem to have a MOBILE SUITE RV which is a Hi Line 5th wheel and they customize their units. Even $750,000 Motorhome do not have 220 dryers. Years ago, Monaco optioned a 220 dryer plug on some of their Signature series for having the better 220 dryer. So, you are correct, but for 99% of 50 amp RV's there are NO 220 plugs in the RV. Doug

Spade, I did not understand your OP. You can't "just" plug into the 110 without the proper adapter that goes from the 110 outlet to the 50 amp cord on the camper.

Also iffin you get to a park that only has 30 amp service, in my brain box you will need a 30 amp adapter that goes up to the 50 amp cord on the camper.

Just semantics, I am sure, at least I hope so. :h

" Very few RV have 240V appliances in part because they won't work when adapted to 30A or 20A. And few RVs have a 120/240V gen."

VERY true GrassHopper!

I have a Commercial 6500 LP Cummins gen so I can run my 220V washer and dryer. Almost forgot my CheapHeat is 220V also!

Lwiddis wrote:
Yes, there are some 220 volt rigs but very few. However, I’ve yet to see 220 volt available. “Glamping” isn’t my style. “Even the largest RVs, when plugged into 50 amp service, still almost universally use this double-hot-pole, or double-bus, installation to draw only 120 volts to two separate 120-volt circuits simultaneously, thereby accessing a possible 12,000 watts of power.”

You need to get out more, ALL modern 50A service RV's have 220V available as in L1 and L2.

Many thanks for all the comments. I think I'll be happy by moving up to a 50 amp system

Spade Cooley wrote:
I don't believe there are any 240 volt items running off the 50 amp system, I hope.

YOu should have only one Double breaker (220 volt) in that 50 amp rig.. The MAIN. all the branch breakers will be single (120 volt).

IF there is a device in the rig that needs 240 volt. Well there is a list of "Suspects" as they say

Some 50 amp RV's have an Intelletec EMS.. if there is a signaficant (IE 200 or more )volt difference between L1 and L2 it goes to sleep cause you are on 50 amps and there is nothing for it to do. on 30 amps there is no differential worth mentioniong between L1 and L2.. NOTE it does not use 240 volt. Just looks for it.

Some modern "All ELectric" RV's may need 240 volts for things like heat (room heat) or cooking I stress the word MAY. Or for a cloths dryer.

But most do not.

And if you have propane (For cooking and heat)

THen you are all 12 or 120 volt No 240 volt save for the optional EMS

SO your hope. is granted.

I live in a 50 amp RV and often am on 30 amps

The Rules accordding to Reddy Kilowatt

20 amps. I'd not run the A/C but you can run the MIcrowave (usually)
Water heater (OR microwave never both) Possibly.

Fridge and televisions and such no tribble. (And the converter for 12 volts)

30 amps the A/C and water heater OR microwave but never all three

50 amps "All you can eat"

NOTE Or Caution.. Space heaters (should you choose to use) tend to MELT the QuickBox outlets used in most if not all RV's (Unibox) I have had one get hot (did not melt I shut down too fast) and have seen melted ones both in photos and in person (I'm not an RV tech)

I installed a pair of 15/20 amp regular outlets, in boxes, like in a 1950's house (Before unibox) Each outlet has a dedicated breaker and 12ga wire wrapped around a screw and properly tightened.

NO "Aroma of hot wire".

Looking at a common 220V dryer schematic, it looks like if you had a 120 tied together and going to each leg, the only thing that would happen is the heater would be inop. Nothing bad would happen, you just wouldn't have any heat.