Urgrade from 30amp to 50amp service

[thomas5433]

I have a Zinger ZT32QB with a 15,000 btu A/C. I would like to add a second A/C to the unit. I was told that the 2nd unit can be retrofitted into the front or rear vent. I know I will need to upgrade to 50 amp service. My question is; is it easy to upgrade the service? To the best of my knowledge I will need a new electrical panel and a 50 amp shore power cord. Will I need a new converter/charger or can I use the one that I have now?



Thomas

[ghiotom]

If all you want to do is add a second AC, there are easier ways to do it.

[Chrisnan23]

You will need a new converter. If electrical is not your thing you may want to have it done for you.

[JohnW]

Simple way. Run new shore power, 4 wire cord. Wire one leg to match the way the 30 amp 3 wire cord was done. This leaves you with the 4th leg which is another 120v leg but oppisite phase or whatever. (if you measure between the 2 hot legs you meter will show 220-240 volts).

Add a small breaker box with a 30 amp breaker. Hook up the 4th wire (hot) to it and also tie it in to the neutral and ground wires. Now use this to power your new A/C. The reason I said "30 amp" breaker was assuming the A/C is all you plan to add. Same with the original 30 amp panel. Leave it as is and everything should be happy. If it was me, i would also move the feed for microwave over to the new breaker panel. That way the original system would run the original A/C, the water heater, a coffee pot and whatever else without overload. Just be sure you have a clear understanding of what 50 amp RV service really is. There has been extensive discussion on another forum recently. It's not 120 volts at 50 amps instead of 30. It is 240 volt 50 amp service, just like an electric stove would be wired. You get 2 hot 50 amp legs at 120v each. There are some bus type motorhomes that actually have 240 volt appliances.

[ghiotom]

You could wire the second AC separately. Run it into its own 20 amp breaker and simply plug it into the 20 amp plug adjacent to the 30 amp plug at the campground power pedestal.

[Hunter11]

"You could wire the second AC separately. Run it into its own 20 amp breaker and simply plug it into the 20 amp plug adjacent to the 30 amp plug at the campground power pedestal."



This would be the easest way to do it. There are several trailers doing it that wayin the park we are at right now. They have their trailers plugged into the 30 amp plug and the bedroom AC plugged into the extra 20 amp plug right below the 30 amp. Works fine.

[JohnW]

Originally Posted by ghiotom

You could wire the second AC separately. Run it into its own 20 amp breaker and simply plug it into the 20 amp plug adjacent to the 30 amp plug at the campground power pedestal.

That does sound like the easy way to go.

[thomas5433]

Thanks for all the replies. I have been talking with some folks at RV dealerships and between what they have said and what is posted here I am going to upgrade to a 120/240 5o amp service. Replacing the distribution pane, converter, and shore line cord. I have priced it out and parts will run a little less than $500. Holiday World wanted $1800. The wiring will be easy, the 50 amp panels have 2 main breakers, 50 amp each, then 3 sub breakers each. Each 120 volt leg connects to each of the mains. The hardest thing to do is run the romex up the wall and through the ceiling over to the rear bedroom vent where the 2nd A/C will be located. I figure if you are going to do something might as well as go all the way.

[ghiotom]

Originally Posted by thomas5433

The hardest thing to do is run the romex up the wall and through the ceiling over to the rear bedroom vent where the 2nd A/C will be located.

Yes, that is the hardest part. The only downside is what happens when you are at a spot with only 30 amp service. I know there are adapters that you plug into the 30 amp and 20 amp plugs, but I think I read they don't work with GFCI plugs. Out of curiosity, what do you 50 amp guys do? Anyway, I think you'll be pleased with the upgrade.
Edited by: ghiotom

[oldman]

Use adapter back to 30 amp and blow the campground curcuit breakers !!!!



Don't ask where I did this - (Cascade MT.) Very bad campground. Dog crap everywhere. Owners dog. Owner said " Don't like it, move somewhere else, I've already got your money!"

[cwit]

I have used the 50 to 30 amp dogbone many times with no problems at home I go down to 20 amps.

[ghiotom]

I understand the adapters back to 30 amps. I was curious if there are adapters that allow you to use the 30 amp and the 20 amp plugs at the power pedestal to give you 50 amps.

[cwit]

They do make a factory whip like you are talking about but a lot of pedestals the 20 amp is wired off the 30 amp breaker so you still only have 30 amps of power.