30amp or 50amp ?

[dennistx]

Hi,

I've noticed when making reservations for my RV, the web site states they have either 30amp or 50amp's available.

Whats the difference other than size? I know I need 30amps to run my AC. Is the 50amp sites for Washer & Dryers, etc?

Thanks

[Big Dave]

50 amp sites are for rigs with two air conditioners.

[jetskier]

Here's a quick lesson....

240V/50AMP services are rated at 12000W. W=V*A

120V/30amp services are rated at 3600W.

You will notice the 50A plug has 4 prongs (2 hots at 120V to ground in opposite phase, neutral and ground. Put the two hots together and you get the 240V. Put either hot to ground and you get 120V. Just like your house. Or another way to look at is you have 100A at 120V available (still 12000W)

The 30A plug has 3 prongs (1 hot at 120V to ground, neutral, and ground).

Advantages...electric dryers rated for 240V, electric water heaters, dual ACs. You can run them all at the same time.

When you get a 50A to 30A adapter, it only uses 3 of the 4 prongs on the 50A side. One is usually not connected since the 30A RV plug doesn't use it.

[dennistx]

Thanks for all this valuable information.

[Richard Mondavi]

Keep in mind that some RV parks charge extra for the 50 amp site.

[TC]

Great explanation Jetskier! Easy and straight forward.

TC

[jetskier]

Thanks TC.

My wife says I need to take it down a notch in my explanations. I'm getting better. I speak too much engineer all too often.