50 amp service
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4119
Printed Date: 25 Apr 2024 at 2:59pm
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Topic: 50 amp service
Posted By: wingnut2312
Subject: 50 amp service
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 2:50pm
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Question...Can we hook up to a 50 amp electric with the pod? ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Replies:
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 4:00pm
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Yes, that's fine. You won't hurt the rpod by connecting your 30A RV to a 50A outlet. You will need an adapter because the outlets themselves are different. Here's the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YDY7YK/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YDY7YK/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 When upgrading or installing new electrical service in some MI parks, they don't even install a 30A outlet anymore, just 20A and 50A. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 4:16pm
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I carry the same adapter "just in case". I actually needed it this past summer when we stayed near Graceland - the RV park had all of the 30 amp outlets installed upside down near the edge of the box, where the cord got in the way if you tried to plug in. We could have survived on the 20 amp outlet but this way we didn't need to turn off the A/C to run the microwave.
The same goes for a 30-amp RV extension cord. You don't often need them in the US (I've only used mine 2-3 times), but I've read of Canadian parks which have the power pole 75+ feet minimum from the parking pad.
One caveat on using the 50-to-30 adapter. If you can, buy one that includes a 30 amp circuit breaker right on the adapter. Not many have them. You are really tapping into a 120 volt 50 amp circuit which means you could theoretically overload the power cord between the power pole and the pod's converter. Having the 30 amp breaker on the adapter will prevent that.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 4:24pm
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Ok, thanks!! So if I understand correctly, the pod can only draw up to 30 amps, but I can hook up to any power supply with the proper connecter? ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 6:01pm
Any 110V outlet can be used. Anything less than 30A won't provide enough power to run everything in the pod all at once but if that's all ya got that's all ya got. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 6:54pm
In early Oct we stayed in a nice township park in the Apostle Island Lake Shore of Lake Superior (For those close enough to know it's Russell Township Park between Bayfield and Cornicopia). They had nice double electrical posts but along with the couple standard 20 amp outlets there was one 30 amp and one 50 amp. Had it been busy and/or crowded we may have been stuck with the 50 amp or 20 amp. I broke down and bought a $9-10 adapter next opportunity. For anyone going that way it's a nice small park (especially for a township) 35 sites with gravel parking pads along with a separate tent area. The Feds take care of the flush toilets, sinks and the town takes care of the double $2 pay showers. ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2013 at 9:49am
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Doug-Do you know where I can get one with a breaker? Looked at camping world and a couple others with no luck. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2013 at 8:59pm
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Sorry, I haven't looked in a while. Like I said they are rare. I'll see if I can find one.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2013 at 9:50pm
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Doug, wouldn't the main breaker (30 amp) in the pod protect the power cord? I don't have access to my pod right now, but I am assuming there is a 30 amp breaker through which all incoming power is channeled. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2013 at 6:03am
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Unless the short circuit happened between the pole and the pod's breaker. In most cases you would be fine, but a breaker on the adaptor is a bit safer. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2013 at 10:27pm
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Yes, a short in the power cord is one possible issue. If the total load, including the short, is above 30 amps (but below 50) having a 30 amp breaker in the adapter will catch it. Another possible issue is the breaker in the converter has failed (won't trip or trips above 30 amps). ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: ToddLat
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2013 at 1:25pm
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If there is short in the cable between the pod and the shore power, the shore power breaker should trip (regardless if it is a 30 or 50 amp). The 50 amp breaker should require a little more short circuit current to trip than the 30 amp but it should go on a direct short. The magnetic pick up/trip on these breakers is typically 10-20 times the handle rating of the breaker. That is the level of currect required to trip the breakers magnetically. The only thing that you would have to worry about would be an overload when running on the 50 amp circuit. This being said, the 30 amp main breaker in the pod should protect against any overloads that are within the pod as they are downstream of the pod main breaker.
I have had cases where the 30 amp shore power breaker trips for no reason (and I have to hook up to the 50 amp breaker) and others where the pod main 30 amp trips (due to AC fighting with a hair dryer!) and the shore power breaker remained on.
The thermal elements (what protects against an overload condition) in these breakers are made of bimetal or trimetal type materials and are "calibrated" at the factories. These calibrations can vary quite a bit. You may get a breaker with a very "short" calibration or one with a fairly "long" calibration. It is a crap shoot to be honest as to which breaker you may get.
Due to the fact that we have a 30 amp main breaker in the pod's to protect against shorts and overloads in the pod's themselves, I have zero issues connecting to a 50 amp shore power connection knowing that if there is a short in my cable, the shore power breaker will trip.
Todd ------------- Todd and Beth 2013 RP 176 T 2013 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2013 at 6:50pm
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I originally made a much longer post with more details but decided to simplify it. One thing I almost mentioned is some shorts (usually arc faults) can produce enough heat to cause a fire but not enough amperage draw to trip a breaker. This is one case where a 30 amp breaker might catch a short where a 50 amp breaker wouldn't. Granted, an actual arc fault breaker would be best in this case.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: ToddLat
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2013 at 2:05pm
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Arc fault breakers function based on voltage to protect against the arcing faults. There are no thermo magnetic breakers in the market that respond to arcing faults other than those specifically designed to do so. Honestly we do not want arc fault breakers in campgrounds due to the inverters that are in are pods. They produce enough noise to cause arc fault breakers to nuisance trip. Non of us would enjoy that very much.
Todd ------------- Todd and Beth 2013 RP 176 T 2013 Nissan Pathfinder |