How Much Power Do I Need 50 Amp 30 Amp
Your RV is your home away from home. It comes equipped with a lot of the modern conveniences that are needed when you head out on the road. This can include the use of electrical devices. For people who want to use their RV on a regular basis, it is important to think about the different features that your RV comes with. The electrical system might not seem like a big deal to you, but understanding how it works can help you make the right decision when purchasing, or upgrading your vehicle. Not everyone is an electrician, but understanding the basics of how your RV is wired will give you the basic knowledge needed to make decisions for batteries, wires, cables, etc.
How are you Utilizing Electricity in Your RV?
Electricity is not provided to your RV on an unlimited basis. Certain power lines can provide a certain amount of power to various electrical devices that you have hooked up. The amount of available wattage that you have will determine what you can use. If you go over this amount, you will run into problems. Almost all RVs come with two different electrical systems. You have a 12 volt system that is run off of a battery. The 120 volt system comes from your generator, or an outside hookup. The cord that your RV comes equipped with that is plugged into an outside source, is either 30 amps or 50 amps. There are a few differences between these cords from a physical standpoint. A 30 amp cord will come with 3 prongs. The 50 amp cord has 4 prongs. More electricity can be used from the 50 amp cord. How do you decide which of these hook ups you want to utilize? Read on to find out more.
Determining Between 30 Amps of 50 Amps
You will find that most campgrounds and RV sites are equipped with electrical hook ups for both 30 and 50 amp service. You may run into some sites that are only equipped for 30 amp service. You can invest in an adapter that will let you utilize your current cord with a different type of hookup. This will turn your 50 amp cord into a 30 amp cord. If you are downgrading to the 30 amp hookup, you might not be able to utilize all of your equipment. That???s something to keep in mind. When you are deciding between the two, think about the places that you will be going. If you are sticking to the same sites, and you know that the sites you will be attending will be 50 amp, then you???ll do fine with this service. Starting with a 30 amp service will ensure that you always have available hookup, for the most part. You can???t change a 30 amp cord to a 50 amp cord. This cord just doesn???t support the function of so much power.
When you first pull up to a campsite, make sure you know how to hook everything up properly. Safety is of the utmost importance. You may want to think about hooking up to a polarity tester. It???s an extremely affordable tool, but buying a polarity tester is also a wise investment. This will confirm that the campground???s wiring is in good shape. You don???t want to end up frying your equipment. If you would like to find out more about the electrical hookup in your RV, stop down to Reliable RV. We can walk you through your vehicle and give you some tips that will prepare you for your next big road trip.
