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Topic: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp? (Read 601 times) previous topic - next topic
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Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
I have an electrician coming to install an outlet for our RV so we can plug it in at home.

Toying with the idea of installing a 50 amp outlet so we can host larger rigs as well as plugging in our Lazy Daze.

Would there be a downside to leaving our rig plugged in to a 50 amp outlet using a dogbone and surge protector?

Is there a reason I should stick with a 30 amp outlet? 

Am I correct that this is a 120v outlet?

Any and all advice / opinions would be much appreciated ☺️







2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #1 –
I would do a NEMA 14-50 (50-AMP) if you can, if only because it's also becoming a standard outlet for electric car chargers.  Those are very common for electricians to install these days.

The RV-30AMP (called a TT-30) will probably cost less, but be aware that some electricians aren't familiar with them.  When they hear 30-AMP, they think of a 30-AMP 240v outlet instead of the RV 30-AMP 120v outlet.  Be sure your electrician knows exactly what you're looking for.

https://www.rvtravel.com/a-common-expensive-mistake-when-installing-30-amp-rv-outlet-at-home/

No downside that I know of to plugging a 30AMP rig into a 14-50 long term.  Just use high quality adapters.  

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #2 –
I would definitely install a 50-AMP  RV circuit, because you can always go down in power (the reverse is not true).
Sam
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #3 –
Assuming your electrical can support a 50-amp, 2-phase circuit, I would install both a 30-amp and a 50-amp plug, so there is no need for an adaptor.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #4 –

Hi Kitty;  I agree with Larry. While some don't want the extra expense, I believe my comments from 2020 are even more valid now. Install 30amp or 50amp at home??   

A likely box like a campground would have:  Siemens TL137US Talon Temporary Power Outlet Panel with a 20, 30, and 50-Amp...                     RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #6 –
After reading everyone's helpful suggestions (thank you!), decided we'd go with a compromise.

I've asked the electrician to wire for 50 amps (for a future upgrade), but configure it for 30 amps,
and put in a 30 amp/120v RV outlet (TT-30) and a "regular" 110VAC/20 amp outlet.
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #7 –
Hi Kitty; By the time you've got the wire there, it's just another $50 to have all three types of plugs and breakers already in the box.
 The extra expense on the house side is more breakers in the house panel.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Kitty  - 
Am I correct that this is a 120v outlet?
Unsure to what you refer...

The 50A is a 240V split-phase, the 30A is 120V single phase. Plugging the rig to a 50A with adapter, your rig is protected by the 30A circuit breaker in the converter.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #9 –
Whether you put in a 30A or a 50A service, I highly recommend also having breakers at the outlet panel, unless the main panel is very close by.  I don't like plugging/unplugging my shore power cord with a live outlet and it is easier to turn off power if working on the coach's electrical system.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #10 –
Looking at our panel, thinking we do have room for all 3 outlets/breakers.
Will check with the electrician to see what he thinks, thanks.

Though, right now not sure what I'd do with an "extra" 50 amp outlet.
Suppose it might let us host another rig though  :D
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #11 –
Hadn't thought about having a breaker at the new outlet box. New outlets will be on the opposite side of the wall from the main panel in our garage.
Will ponder whether we want to go inside, back outside to plug in, then back out again.

Quote
Whether you put in a 30A or a 50A service, I highly recommend also having breakers at the outlet panel, unless the main panel is very close by.  I don't like plugging/unplugging my shore power cord with a live outlet and it is easier to turn off power if working on the coach's electrical system.


2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #12 –
Hi Kitty; If you have breakers in your house panel and the plug is outside on the wall of your house you probably don't 'need' another set of breakers.  If however you are locating a remote pedestal outside to near where another, or your own rig may be parked, you would want remote breaker(s) at that pedestal.  I would still want steel conduit, at least 18" deep. Common practice is to put a piece of orange painted wood over the top of the conduit, and a sign at both ends announcing an under ground electrical cable.  Those backhoes are rough on electrical and gas lines.  My friend with a ranch in rural San Diego has his electric service covered with concrete and when possible 4' deep.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #13 –
In addition to what others have said. If you just put in 1 50 you may not be able to use your 30 at the same time, you could exceed the 50amps. If you want to use both I would run 240v out there and have each outlet on a different leg, a120v 30a on one phase and a 120v 50a on the other.
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #14 –
Quote from: StevenJill  - 
In addition to what others have said. If you just put in 1 50 you may not be able to use your 30 at the same time, you could exceed the 50amps. If you want to use both I would run 240v out there and have each outlet on a different leg, a120v 30a on one phase and a 120v 50a on the other.
A separate line for each is correct, but the 50A is 240V split phase, not 120V single phase. The former comes from a 50 A double-slot breaker in the load center and can supply 12,000 Watts, the latter from a siingle-slot 30 A breaker, and can supply 3600 Watts.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #15 –
We're now the owners of a 30 amp RV outlet on a 30 amp breaker and an extra household outlet on it's own breaker.
Directly on the other side of the main box in the garage, so a very short run.
Electrician ran the wires for 50 amps to the 30 amp outlet, so we can simply replace the breaker and outlet box if we ever see the need for an upgrade to 50 amps.

Since we got her, we've kept our gal "Serendipity" more than an hour from home so we're more than a little excited to have her right here in the driveway.

Thanks for all the advice and wisdom everyone :-)
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #16 –
Glad you worked something out.  Having RV power at home is very convenient.

FWIW - that looks like a 30-AMP 240V clothes dryer outlet (called a NEMA 14-30).  It's not what you would find at a 30-AMP RV pedestal (120V NEMA TT-30).  Hopefully that's what you were expecting and the electrician gave some advice on the correct type of adapter to use.   

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #17 –
Hi Rich, I'll double check with the electrician  since I did specify a 120 v TT-30. 
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #18 –
Lift up the cover so we can get a better gander, please.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #19 –
"...that looks like a 30-AMP 240V clothes dryer outlet..."

Ditto, it sure doesn't look like my 30A outlet at all!   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #21 –
Here is a close-up of both the outlet and at the panel (guessing it's the wrong kind of outlet - sigh). 

Is it safe to use with an adapter (and what do I need) or should I call another electrician for a do over?
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #22 –
Evidently, many electricians do not know what an RV plug looks like.

Larry
Watching the snow flurries at Tuttle Creek
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Kitty  - 
Here is a close-up of both the outlet and at the panel (guessing it's the wrong kind of outlet - sigh).

Is it safe to use with an adapter (and what do I need) or should I call another electrician for a do over?

You can use an adapter like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/AC-WORKS-1-5-ft-14-30P-30-Amp-4-Prong-Dryer-Plug-to-30-Amp-RV-10-3-Extension-Cord-Adapter-RV1430TT-018/311382332

If you prefer the TT-30, ask for it.  It's not a huge job to switch it over.  Having them pay for the adapter might also be a reasonable solution.

Rich

2003 MB
Re: Installing Outlet for our RV - 30 or 50 amp?
Reply #24 –
Thanks - will chat with the electrician!
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)