The RVer's Open Forum

Swirve.com Links: Swirve.com Free Email Games Fantasy Sports E-Cards Movies Horoscopes Freebies Web Search

NOTICE: Beginning July 10th, 2008, this message board service will no longer be active or available for use.

The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Amps @ RV parks

Chuck
User ID: 9418933 Aug 24th 12:45 PM
Another display of ignorance here, but when we got our RV I asked the dealer about converters when parks only had 50 amp hookups. I was told not to bother because all RV parks had 30 amp hookups. My question is, what if I plug into a 50 amp box when my RV is rigged for 30 amps?

Lou
User ID: 0554384 Aug 24th 12:58 PM
Chuck, First, you are going to need an adapter to plug into a 50 amp receptical. 30 and 50 amp plugs are different. Most parks that have 50 amp service also have the 30 amp receptical in the same box. The internal circuit breakers in your rig should protect it if there is an overload.

jd
User ID: 1028194 Aug 24th 1:18 PM
Based on what I've read on forums, I now check the campsite's power pedestal first thing on arrival. IS there power and IS the polarity correct? I check polarity with a little three-prong checker available at hardware and home centers, plugged into whatever adapters it takes to connect to the pedestal.
But, whether you do all that or not, please turn the pedestal breakers off, then plug in, then turn the breakers back on. Odd things can happen if the ground doesn't make up before hot side does. God Bless, jd

Chris Fine
User ID: 1028194 Aug 29th 2:51 PM
Bottom line is to CHECK the park outlet for polarity and volts across the outlet BEFORE plugging in !! My trick is to plug in my (on a 30 amp site) 30/15 amp adapter and check the polarity there. Left is Neutral right is power/hot and of course, ground is the bottom. Just my goofy way of doin' it!! CF

Carol
User ID: 8771373 Aug 29th 6:42 PM
Chris F., Are you saying that if you check the park outlet's 15 amp receptacle and the polarity is OK, that the 30 amp receptacle is OK also (that is, without plugging in the polarity checker to the 30 amp receptacle)? Thanks.

Mike
Administrator Aug 29th 6:54 PM
Carol,

Chris wrote "My trick is to plug in my (on a 30 amp site) 30/15 amp adapter." The 30 amp to 15 amp adapter plugs into the standard 30 amp socket and the polarity checker plugs into the 15 amp side of the adapter.

The polarity checker (usually less than $5.00) can be plugged into a 15/20 amp socket without any adapter. By using the adapter one can check the 30 amp service.

Mike

Marty
User ID: 7970643 Aug 29th 7:15 PM
I've added a bit more to what Chris (as Mike explained) is doing. Into the 15/20 amp female end, I plugged in one of those 1 to 3 socket adaptors. On one end I put the polarity checker, on the other end I put a little volt meter (from camping world). This way I can check the voltage as well as polarity all at the same time.

Marty in TN

Chris Fine
User ID: 0743024 Sep 22nd 11:51 PM
I have even use my goofy way to check 50 amp.pedestals by 50/30/15 adapters. I can at least get the 120 V. side safe. Using a 30/15 RV adapter, I check left, right and bottom with a multimeter. Left is neutral, right is hot, and bottom is ground. I have found quiet a few parks with reversed wiring, disconnected grounds (clipped wires because of backwards wiring) and you name it. Some parks do not have site brakers for boxes and have them in a locked box on a pole!! You name it, it's out there!! Be safe, CF

Andrew
User ID: 0860834 Jun 27th 9:00 PM
Has anyone had experience with an adapter that pulls 30 amps and 20 amps at the hook up via a "y" shaped adapter I've seen at camping world and converts to a 50 amp female receptacle for a 50 amp rv? Some rv parks don't have 50 and our rv usually needs every bit of 50 amps.

Bob
User ID: 9878643 Jun 27th 10:00 PM
I made my own Y only to find it won't work.The 20 amp receptacle is a gfi and will trip if there is a difference in the load coming and going.
since you are plugged into two different sources the load is not the same and the gfi trips.The only way it would work is if you plug into two separate 30 amp plugs on two different poles.Even then they should be on opposite phases.
BOB

Mike
Administrator Jan 27th 9:56 PM
See a photo of one at http://www.homedot.com
Enter 154732 in the search box.

Rex Havok
User ID: 0317884 Aug 8th 5:33 PM
I am new also, I have a small multitester and know the basics of electricity and check my sites before I hook up but have a question on AMPS. I have a 50 amp trailer, now when I test voltage and polarity how do I know that I am getting all the amps I need, If im getting 120 volts does that mean i getting 50 amps? Does anyone know the mathmatical formula for finding amps with only a multitester? Is it

(power) divided by OHMS X ? I forget, Thank you

Barthbill
User ID: 8645673 Aug 8th 6:39 PM
Short answer: If the volts are good, the amps are good.

Long answer: If the 50 amp outlet is wired to code and maintained, each hot leg will provide 50 amps if that much is drawn by your trailer. Chances are your RV will not draw that much, so the amps taken from the outlet will be only what the RV needs. If the voltage stays up or near 120, there is no problem. You can buy a clamp-on AC ammeter to check current flow through a conductor if you are curious, but it is useful more for trouble shooting than for normal use.

Gerry
User ID: 0004344 Aug 22nd 8:57 PM
Barthbill is correct. The park service does not push the current (measured in Amperes, Amps for short), it permits current up to the rated value to flow. Provided your RV has no shorts or other electrical faults, and you don't try to run every appliance at once, you will never have a problem hooking to a service rated higher than your RV service rating. The difficulty arises in hooking a 50 amp RV to a 30A service, or a 30A RV to a 15A service. You must be careful not to run an excessive load.

Barthbill
User ID: 8645673 Aug 24th 12:51 PM
"The difficulty arises in hooking a 50 amp RV to a 30A service, or a 30A RV to a 15A service. You must be careful not to run an excessive load."

You really don't have to be too careful. The only result of an excessive load will be inconvenience. If the wiring is to code, the circuit breakers will trip before any harm is done. Run what you want and let the breakers tell you how much is too much. You will soon develop a feel for what you can operate without tripping.

GERRY
User ID: 0004344 Aug 29th 9:17 PM
Quite correct, by difficulty I meant, or should have said, inconvenience (when the breakers trip). I usually end up tripping the park breaker instead of the trailer's, and have to find the owner or maint. person to reset it.

Smity
User ID: 9955583 Apr 13th 1:43 PM
I always thought that AC ment Alternating Current which means that the polarity reverses at 60 cycles per second.

Dosent amps x volts = watts
So if you want to know how much current you are using just add up all the wattages of all the electrical appliances you are using and devide by the voltage 115/120.

jd
User ID: 8102723 Apr 13th 5:02 PM
You're right on both points, Smity, but a subtle twist. The Voltage on the HOT lead (Black if it's 115/120) goes from + to - 60x per sec. Neutral (White) is always, well, neutral. Illustrates why polarity is important. If Black and White get reversed, the coach can go "hot".
Got Bless, jd

tk
User ID: 1662364 May 9th 9:04 AM
Hey guys, I would like a tough & simple plug-in tester that would indicate correct polarity AND indicate if the ground is good for a cheap price.
Camping World's cheapest tester is $62, which also gives one the voltage, which would also be nice.
Where can we get one that is simple & tough that at least indicates polarity & ground?
Howz about a cheap one that also indicates voltage? Any such animal?
I have a multimeter, but would prefer a quick plug-in type (I also have a voltage indicator via lights that stays plugged in inside the RV, so I know when the voltage gets too low to be safe for electronic stuff).
As always, thanks for your ideas.

Chuck User ID: 9418933	Aug 24th 12:45 PM Another display of ignorance here, but when we got our RV I asked the dealer about converters when parks only had 50 amp hookups. I was told not to bother because all RV parks had 30 amp hookups. My question is, what if I plug into a 50 amp box when my RV is rigged for 30 amps?
Lou User ID: 0554384	Aug 24th 12:58 PM Chuck, First, you are going to need an adapter to plug into a 50 amp receptical. 30 and 50 amp plugs are different. Most parks that have 50 amp service also have the 30 amp receptical in the same box. The internal circuit breakers in your rig should protect it if there is an overload.
jd User ID: 1028194	Aug 24th 1:18 PM Based on what I've read on forums, I now check the campsite's power pedestal first thing on arrival. IS there power and IS the polarity correct? I check polarity with a little three-prong checker available at hardware and home centers, plugged into whatever adapters it takes to connect to the pedestal. But, whether you do all that or not, please turn the pedestal breakers off, then plug in, then turn the breakers back on. Odd things can happen if the ground doesn't make up before hot side does. God Bless, jd
Chris Fine User ID: 1028194	Aug 29th 2:51 PM Bottom line is to CHECK the park outlet for polarity and volts across the outlet BEFORE plugging in !! My trick is to plug in my (on a 30 amp site) 30/15 amp adapter and check the polarity there. Left is Neutral right is power/hot and of course, ground is the bottom. Just my goofy way of doin' it!! CF
Carol User ID: 8771373	Aug 29th 6:42 PM Chris F., Are you saying that if you check the park outlet's 15 amp receptacle and the polarity is OK, that the 30 amp receptacle is OK also (that is, without plugging in the polarity checker to the 30 amp receptacle)? Thanks.
Mike Administrator	Aug 29th 6:54 PM Carol, Chris wrote "My trick is to plug in my (on a 30 amp site) 30/15 amp adapter." The 30 amp to 15 amp adapter plugs into the standard 30 amp socket and the polarity checker plugs into the 15 amp side of the adapter. The polarity checker (usually less than $5.00) can be plugged into a 15/20 amp socket without any adapter. By using the adapter one can check the 30 amp service. Mike
Marty User ID: 7970643	Aug 29th 7:15 PM I've added a bit more to what Chris (as Mike explained) is doing. Into the 15/20 amp female end, I plugged in one of those 1 to 3 socket adaptors. On one end I put the polarity checker, on the other end I put a little volt meter (from camping world). This way I can check the voltage as well as polarity all at the same time. Marty in TN
Chris Fine User ID: 0743024	Sep 22nd 11:51 PM I have even use my goofy way to check 50 amp.pedestals by 50/30/15 adapters. I can at least get the 120 V. side safe. Using a 30/15 RV adapter, I check left, right and bottom with a multimeter. Left is neutral, right is hot, and bottom is ground. I have found quiet a few parks with reversed wiring, disconnected grounds (clipped wires because of backwards wiring) and you name it. Some parks do not have site brakers for boxes and have them in a locked box on a pole!! You name it, it's out there!! Be safe, CF
Andrew User ID: 0860834	Jun 27th 9:00 PM Has anyone had experience with an adapter that pulls 30 amps and 20 amps at the hook up via a "y" shaped adapter I've seen at camping world and converts to a 50 amp female receptacle for a 50 amp rv? Some rv parks don't have 50 and our rv usually needs every bit of 50 amps.
Bob User ID: 9878643	Jun 27th 10:00 PM I made my own Y only to find it won't work.The 20 amp receptacle is a gfi and will trip if there is a difference in the load coming and going. since you are plugged into two different sources the load is not the same and the gfi trips.The only way it would work is if you plug into two separate 30 amp plugs on two different poles.Even then they should be on opposite phases. BOB
Mike Administrator	Jan 27th 9:56 PM See a photo of one at http://www.homedot.com Enter 154732 in the search box.
Rex Havok User ID: 0317884	Aug 8th 5:33 PM I am new also, I have a small multitester and know the basics of electricity and check my sites before I hook up but have a question on AMPS. I have a 50 amp trailer, now when I test voltage and polarity how do I know that I am getting all the amps I need, If im getting 120 volts does that mean i getting 50 amps? Does anyone know the mathmatical formula for finding amps with only a multitester? Is it (power) divided by OHMS X ? I forget, Thank you
Barthbill User ID: 8645673	Aug 8th 6:39 PM Short answer: If the volts are good, the amps are good. Long answer: If the 50 amp outlet is wired to code and maintained, each hot leg will provide 50 amps if that much is drawn by your trailer. Chances are your RV will not draw that much, so the amps taken from the outlet will be only what the RV needs. If the voltage stays up or near 120, there is no problem. You can buy a clamp-on AC ammeter to check current flow through a conductor if you are curious, but it is useful more for trouble shooting than for normal use.
Gerry User ID: 0004344	Aug 22nd 8:57 PM Barthbill is correct. The park service does not push the current (measured in Amperes, Amps for short), it permits current up to the rated value to flow. Provided your RV has no shorts or other electrical faults, and you don't try to run every appliance at once, you will never have a problem hooking to a service rated higher than your RV service rating. The difficulty arises in hooking a 50 amp RV to a 30A service, or a 30A RV to a 15A service. You must be careful not to run an excessive load.
Barthbill User ID: 8645673	Aug 24th 12:51 PM "The difficulty arises in hooking a 50 amp RV to a 30A service, or a 30A RV to a 15A service. You must be careful not to run an excessive load." You really don't have to be too careful. The only result of an excessive load will be inconvenience. If the wiring is to code, the circuit breakers will trip before any harm is done. Run what you want and let the breakers tell you how much is too much. You will soon develop a feel for what you can operate without tripping.
GERRY User ID: 0004344	Aug 29th 9:17 PM Quite correct, by difficulty I meant, or should have said, inconvenience (when the breakers trip). I usually end up tripping the park breaker instead of the trailer's, and have to find the owner or maint. person to reset it.
Smity User ID: 9955583	Apr 13th 1:43 PM I always thought that AC ment Alternating Current which means that the polarity reverses at 60 cycles per second. Dosent amps x volts = watts So if you want to know how much current you are using just add up all the wattages of all the electrical appliances you are using and devide by the voltage 115/120.
jd User ID: 8102723	Apr 13th 5:02 PM You're right on both points, Smity, but a subtle twist. The Voltage on the HOT lead (Black if it's 115/120) goes from + to - 60x per sec. Neutral (White) is always, well, neutral. Illustrates why polarity is important. If Black and White get reversed, the coach can go "hot". Got Bless, jd
tk User ID: 1662364	May 9th 9:04 AM Hey guys, I would like a tough & simple plug-in tester that would indicate correct polarity AND indicate if the ground is good for a cheap price. Camping World's cheapest tester is $62, which also gives one the voltage, which would also be nice. Where can we get one that is simple & tough that at least indicates polarity & ground? Howz about a cheap one that also indicates voltage? Any such animal? I have a multimeter, but would prefer a quick plug-in type (I also have a voltage indicator via lights that stays plugged in inside the RV, so I know when the voltage gets too low to be safe for electronic stuff). As always, thanks for your ideas.