Why 30 amp and not 50 amp

[Skipg]

Why not build all RV’s with 50 amp service ? With AC, microwaves, electronic water heaters plus numerous other electrical appliances we take with us it seems to make More sense to have 50 amp

[Bobbo]

DrewE wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

You do realize that so-called "50 amp service" is in fact 100 amps total - right? :W 30 amp service is delivered on one leg - 120 vac x 30 amps = 3600 watts. 50 amp service is delivered on two legs - 120 vac x 50 amps x 2 = 12,000 watts.

That's half true; 50A service is 50A, 120/240V service, but it's not in any way a 100A circuit: you cannot connect a single 120V, 100A device to it should that odd need come up. It is correct that it provides a nominal 12 kW rather than 3.6 kW for the 120V, 30A service.

Saying it's a 100A service is about like saying that a semi tractor pulling dual trailers is really travelling at 120 mph, because it's pulling two trailers traveling at 60 mph apiece.

But, it is also true that a 50 amp trailer has access to 100 amps of power. You just have to use two circuits to access it. Sometimes, simplifying a subject can get the concept across even though the technical details are wrong.

[DrewE]

SoundGuy wrote:

You do realize that so-called "50 amp service" is in fact 100 amps total - right? :W 30 amp service is delivered on one leg - 120 vac x 30 amps = 3600 watts. 50 amp service is delivered on two legs - 120 vac x 50 amps x 2 = 12,000 watts.

That's half true; 50A service is 50A, 120/240V service, but it's not in any way a 100A circuit: you cannot connect a single 120V, 100A device to it should that odd need come up. It is correct that it provides a nominal 12 kW rather than 3.6 kW for the 120V, 30A service.

Saying it's a 100A service is about like saying that a semi tractor pulling dual trailers is really travelling at 120 mph, because it's pulling two trailers traveling at 60 mph apiece.

[SoundGuy]

Skipg wrote:
Why not build all RV’s with 50 amp service ? With AC, microwaves, electronic water heaters plus numerous other electrical appliances we take with us it seems to make More sense to have 50 amp

You do realize that so-called "50 amp service" is in fact 100 amps total - right? :W 30 amp service is delivered on one leg - 120 vac x 30 amps = 3600 watts. 50 amp service is delivered on two legs - 120 vac x 50 amps x 2 = 12,000 watts. BIG difference, so why pay for 50 amp service in the construction of your trailer if you have no need to draw anywhere near that amount of power?

[Cummins12V98]

Dtank wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Some popular places have no power. Why even have 30 amp?

Good question!

Why even have the AC wiring??

Rip it out, sell the copper (unless it's aluminum), and be a happy camper doin' it your way !!

:)..:C..:B

Old Army Tent and a Cott.

[JimK-NY]

Why not buy an RV with the 50 amp service you want? If an RV does not meet your requirements then just move on. Personally I am happy with 30 amps and rarely use any shore power.

[theoldwizard1]

Skipg wrote:
Why not build all RV’s with 50 amp service ?

Cost, plain and simple !

[pasusan]

KD4UPL wrote:
I've only had RVs with 30A. I always had enough power. I wouldn't want to have to deal with the big, heavy, expensive 50A cord.
Why don't all RV's have 100 gallon freshwater tanks? Why don't they all have 3 AC units?
Why don't they all have satellite dishes and 3 flat screens?

Weez agreez.

[Dtank]

time2roll wrote:
Some popular places have no power. Why even have 30 amp?

Good question!

Why even have the AC wiring??

Rip it out, sell the copper (unless it's aluminum), and be a happy camper doin' it your way !!

:)..:C..:B

[time2roll]

Some popular places have no power. Why even have 30 amp?

[BarabooBob]

I get by just fine with my 2000 watt generator that actually can run 1800 watts. That is just 15 amps. We frequently don't even start the generator when we stay for a night. Silence is great, no television, rarely turn on the radio, rarely sit inside with the lights turned on at night. My perfect campsite is near Burgess Junction, Wyoming at 9000 plus feet with the nearest town over 30 miles away. Most of my friends prefer these same type of sites. No need for 50 amp.

[sask66]

One thing I like about 30 amp is that the cord is a bit more flexible and manageable.

[pianotuna]

time2roll wrote:
Low price is demanded by the consumer at any cost.

No wonder the RV's take a year for shake down cruises.

[time2roll]

Low price is demanded by the consumer at any cost.

[KD4UPL]

I've only had RVs with 30A. I always had enough power. I wouldn't want to have to deal with the big, heavy, expensive 50A cord.
Why don't all RV's have 100 gallon freshwater tanks? Why don't they all have 3 AC units?
Why don't they all have satellite dishes and 3 flat screens?

[pianotuna]

Another arrow in my power quiver is a load support hybrid inverter/charger. That allows me to run the roof air and the microwave at the same time on a 30 amp service.

My usual power path is:

shore power-->autoformer-->RV. I set the maximum input amperage to 24 (or 12 on a 15 amp source).