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Old 10-27-2021, 05:04 PM   #1
drjjj
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power supply advice

2007 3400RL, bought in summer of 2006. We have never camped without 50 amp service and rarely without sewer hookups. One of our favorite parks in South Texas (older park) used to have 50 amp and full hookups and now has "downgraded" to 30 amp only for electrical. We really like this park and would like to consider camping there when it cools off but have never dealt with what you cannot and can do with 30 vs 50 amps. If anyone has ever done a "trial run" to actually see what you can and cannot do with reduced power I would be very appreciative. Major impetus in my question: we want to take our 3 year old granddaughter there and want to make sure we make her first camping experience a good one. TIA.
 
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Old 10-27-2021, 05:14 PM   #2
rohrmann
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Turn you water heater and fridge to gas only. If it’s hot out where you need the A/C, you will only be able to run one if you have two installed. If you do have the A/C running, you will have to turn it off if you need to run the microwave. Other than that, we have had no issues being parked with a 30 amp service.
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Old 10-27-2021, 05:22 PM   #3
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What Bob said ^^^^^^. We do it all the time!
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Old 10-27-2021, 05:22 PM   #4
mhs4771
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We've stayed at a few State Parks that only have 30 Amp Electric, no water or sewer. Starting with a full water tank and using it and the toilet carefully we can go a week.
Agree if running the AC, turn it off before operating any other high draw appliance. We put the Water Heater on Propane, but can't our Fridge since it's a Residential.
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Old 10-27-2021, 07:29 PM   #5
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We have had everything from a 2005 to a 2021 Montana. It is certainly doable with 30 amp with some modifications. We couldn’t have done it in the past. Our current Montana has soft starts and can run both AC’s with 30 amp, as long as we use propane for the water heater and fridge. You will also want to refrain from using the microwave. In the summer, 50 amp is nicer because you don’t have to worry about restricting usage.
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Old 10-28-2021, 09:11 AM   #6
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Since your Montana is actually 100 amp normal service (2 x 50 amp legs), the drop to only 30 amp service is a big one. Lots do it, I was not a fan and have left those parks behind. Of course, in these days of crowded RV parks...these older parks are becoming little jewels.
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Old 10-28-2021, 06:32 PM   #7
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Agree with all the above. Have camped with 30 many times.

Definitely one A/C and water heater on gas. Beyond that just trial and error. Worst case you trip the park breaker. Reset it and don’t power up that combination again. No harm. You will find what works for you.
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Old 11-03-2021, 02:21 PM   #8
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Don’t forget to get a dogbone to connect your 50 amp cord to the 30 amp pedestal.
And have fun!
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Old 11-03-2021, 02:49 PM   #9
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There's one other alternative...IF your power tower has two (2) 30 amp plugs, you can use a "Y" connector which is 2, 30 amp male, to a single 50 amp female, that you then plug your coach 50 amp shore power cord into...I have one and have used it several times on my 2013 3402RL...
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Old 11-03-2021, 02:58 PM   #10
Daryles
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Stay under 30A or 3600 watts.
Hope this helps.
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Old 11-03-2021, 05:05 PM   #11
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I never drag out the 50 amp cord unless I’m staying more than two or three nights. I use a 30 amp extension cord and an adapter on the camper. We rarely use the second AC anyway.
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Old 11-03-2021, 07:37 PM   #12
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Always makes me laugh when folks pay good money for a nice rig with all the amenities and then skimp on being in a nice RV Park with full hookups appropriate to that rig
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Old 11-03-2021, 08:34 PM   #13
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Jeri,

Some of the best places to camp don't have any hookups.
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Old 11-03-2021, 09:09 PM   #14
BB_TX
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Jeri,

Some of the best places to camp don't have any hookups.
Amen. Have never boondocked. But one of our favorite places had 30 amps at some sites and 20 amp at others. And some beautiful state and COE parks only have 30 amp service.
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Old 11-04-2021, 08:05 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by jeririgged223 View Post
Always makes me laugh when folks pay good money for a nice rig with all the amenities and then skimp on being in a nice RV Park with full hookups appropriate to that rig
Makes me laugh when folks only want to stay at KOA type parks. A “self contained” camper is made specifically for off grid camping at times. Some of our absolutely best camping was boondocking in Alaska.
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Old 11-04-2021, 09:23 AM   #16
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I agree, our travels take us all over. We were recently in the Chicago area in late October. There are no campgrounds open in the area after 10/15 except Martin’s and they are now catering to workers. We stayed at a friends house and used a 15 amp connection. Ran our heat pump, and everything else between that and augmented with solar as necessary. Stayed at 100% battery. Quartzsite and Western blast are boondocking only. We have Super Solar to give us the flexibility to stay at full hookups, minimal hookups and self contained. And, with prices of some of the really nice campgrounds now going over $150/night (places like Dillon, Colorado and Jackson, Wyoming), you will see more people going to other forms of camping. I am always amazed that so many of us think that everyone camps just like us. On this forum we have full timers, long timers, short timers and vacationers. Some work, some are retired. Some work camp and everything in between. Recognize everyone here has their own needs.
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Old 11-04-2021, 01:26 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Blackwell View Post
There's one other alternative...IF your power tower has two (2) 30 amp plugs, you can use a "Y" connector which is 2, 30 amp male, to a single 50 amp female, that you then plug your coach 50 amp shore power cord into...I have one and have used it several times on my 2013 3402RL...
Or like this, but I've never tried one, we just make 30 amp work:


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Old 11-04-2021, 01:33 PM   #18
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We've camped in many 30A parks. We don't let that be a deal breaker for us...if we like the park we'll make it work.

EasyStarts on the AC units is definitely a big help but using the 50A rig on a 30A service is a non-issue. Just monitor/regulate what you power up. If you pop the breaker at the pedestal, turn something off, turn the breaker back on, then move on and enjoy the stay.
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Old 11-04-2021, 02:12 PM   #19
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Or if you don't want to trip breakers and re-set all the time get a Hughes Power WatchDog surge guard. It will monitor your amps and watts for you by Bluetooth to your smart phone with their App.
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Old 11-04-2021, 02:15 PM   #20
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Dutchman, so that looks like a 20a plus 30a combining to make 50a. Where did you find it....another great idea.
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