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electrical:shore_power [2017/10/11 12:22]
frater_secessus [30A shore power]
electrical:shore_power [2022/06/23 10:43]
frater_secessus [Shore power]
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 +[[lifestyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of Wisdom]]: "...most people think that to have “RV” type shore power you need those special 30/50 amp plugs. I have a 115v plug. The male end of an extension cord (heavy gauge) that I have cable tied to the inside of my receiver hitch so it’s hidden." -- Captain_Dapper((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/cnt2o0/my_stealth_window_unit_setup/ewhggpj/))
 +
 ====== Shore power ====== ====== Shore power ======
-Shore power is AC power derived from the electric grid.  The most common places RVers use shore power is when plugged in at someone's house  or at an RV park with full hookups (FHU).+ 
 +Note:  this section is presently US-centric. 
 + 
 +Shore power ("grid power", "mains", "wall outlet power"is AC power derived from the electric grid.  Shore power can run AC loads directly in campers so equipped, but more commonly it powers a [[electrical:converter|converter/charger]] that runs the [[electrical:12v:intro|12v house system]]. 
 + 
 +The most common places RVers use shore power is when plugged in at someone's house  or at an RV park with full hookups (FHU).
 {{ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wVYBei5BZmw/maxresdefault.jpg?200}} {{ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wVYBei5BZmw/maxresdefault.jpg?200}}
 The most **common types of campsite hookups** are: The most **common types of campsite hookups** are:
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 ===== 15A/20A shore power ===== ===== 15A/20A shore power =====
 {{ http://www.diycontrols.com/images/15amp_20amp.JPG?150|20A vs. 15A sockets}} {{ http://www.diycontrols.com/images/15amp_20amp.JPG?150|20A vs. 15A sockets}}
-**15A** power receptacles are the familiar ones found in a residence.  They are also the current rating many DIY RVs and vans are built around.+**15A** power receptacles are the familiar ones found in a residence.((NEMA 5-15, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_5))  They can carry 1800W((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp)) and are the type of shore power many DIY RVs and vans are built around.((assuming they have shore power receptacles at all)).
  
-**20A** power receptacles are similar but the "hot" leg has an additional spur.  This arrangement **allows 15A plugs to go into 20A receptacles** but **prevents the heavier duty 20A plugs from being used in a 15A circuit**.  +**20A** power receptacles are similar but the "hot" leg has an additional spur.((NEMA 5-20, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_5))  This arrangement **allows 15A plugs to go into 20A receptacles** but **prevents the heavier duty 20A plugs from being used in a 15A circuit**.  
 Boondockers and vandwellers will likely set up their shore power to run on the 15A.  Because of the backward-compatible 20A socket they will be able to use their 15A plugs at both 15A and 20A hookups.  Boondockers and vandwellers will likely set up their shore power to run on the 15A.  Because of the backward-compatible 20A socket they will be able to use their 15A plugs at both 15A and 20A hookups. 
  
-Note:  using a 10A circuit breaker on the RVs AC breaker box will prevent tripping a residential circuit breaker from tripping when the RVer might not have access to reset it.  A 15A breaker might, depending on whether the RV or residential breaker trips earlier+The 20A outlet is rated for 2400W.((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp)) 
 + 
 +Note:  using a 10A circuit breaker on the RVs AC breaker box will prevent tripping a residential circuit breaker when the RVer might not have access to reset it.  A 15A breaker might or might not, depending on whether the RV or residential breaker trips first
  
 A 'dweller can safely power a 15A RV from a 30A outlet with [[http://amzn.to/2irQhRV|an adapter]]. A 'dweller can safely power a 15A RV from a 30A outlet with [[http://amzn.to/2irQhRV|an adapter]].
 15A Extension cords should be 12-14ga for 50' cords and 10-12ga for 100' cords. 15A Extension cords should be 12-14ga for 50' cords and 10-12ga for 100' cords.
 +
 +Mike Sokol of RV electrical fame, says:
 +
 +> if there’s a 20-amp circuit breaker and 12-gauge wire feeding a 15-amp outlet, it’s actually rated for 20-amps of current. There’s an exception in the code as well as UL allowing this, so don’t worry. If you’re on a 20-amp breaker with 12-gauge wiring, then you have a 20-amp circuit, even if it’s using a NEMA 5-15 outlet.((https://www.rvtravel.com/softstart946/))
 +
 +
 ===== 30A shore power ===== ===== 30A shore power =====
-30A is the standard setup for small-to-medium RVs.  It is typically sufficient to run an air conditioner and other items in the RV.+{{ http://www.generatorsforhomeuse.us/wp-content/uploads/tt-30r.png?200}} 
 +30A is the standard setup for small-to-medium RVs.((NEMA TT-30, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#Nomenclature))  It can supply 3600W,((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp)) ypically sufficient to run an air conditioner and other items in the RV.
  
 If the 30A circuit on a 30A/50A pedestal is broken or malfunctioning the camper can use [[http://amzn.to/2hGJNzH|an adapter]] to get power from the 50A circuit.((http://rvbasics.com/techtips/50-to-30-amp-adapter.html))  Note this may incur a price increase from the park.  If the 30A circuit on a 30A/50A pedestal is broken or malfunctioning the camper can use [[http://amzn.to/2hGJNzH|an adapter]] to get power from the 50A circuit.((http://rvbasics.com/techtips/50-to-30-amp-adapter.html))  Note this may incur a price increase from the park. 
  
-The RV can also run off a 15A/20A outlet but would have to be careful about loads (heavy loads like a single A/C unit, electric cooktop, or microwave would have to be run one at a time). +The RV can also run off a 15A/20A outlet with an adapter but would have to be careful about loads (heavy loads like a single A/C unit, electric cooktop, or microwave would have to be run one at a time). 
 ===== 50A shore power ===== ===== 50A shore power =====
-50A systems are most common in large, luxury RVs with two or more A/C units.+{{ https://greentransportation.info/ev-charging/range-confidence/chap8-tech/img/nema-14-50-wiring-diagram.png?200}} 50A systems are most common in large, luxury RVs with two or more A/C units.((NEMA 14-50, http://www.rv-project.com/resources/nemaconn.php))  The 50A RV power pedestal has //two// 50A 120V legs((http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm)) ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-phase_electric_power|split-phase]]) and can deliver 6,000W of power on each leg.((http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm)) 
 + 
 +50A to 30A adapters will use one leg of the outlet to feed the RV with 50A. 
 + 
 + 
 +===== ports ===== 
 +[[https://amzn.to/2F8SChD|{{https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81HoORya9rL._AC_UL436_.jpg?75 }}]] 
 +A //shore power port// is designed to let you plug power cables into the side of your van or RV.  As discussed above, RVs typically use 30A/50A service -- they use [[https://amzn.to/2TCV4WJ|this kind of port]]. 
 + 
 +Vans typically use [[https://amzn.to/2VUwDAI|15A ports]].   [[https://amzn.to/2F8SChD|Some are pre-cabled]] so you can plug the inside cable to a [[https://amzn.to/2F7sZxI|power strip]], [[https://amzn.to/2VWXHPQ|breaker box]], or other distribution device.  A [[electrical:converter|converter/charger]] can then be wired to the distribution point. 
 + 
 +  - use a [[https://amzn.to/2EZka7E|hole saw]] to bore the hole in the van wall to the port's specification 
 +  - sand the edges to remove sharp edges 
 +  - treat edges with paint, primer, rust preventive, etc to prevent rust.  The edges will not be visible once the port is installed
 ===== power testers ===== ===== power testers =====
 Before plugging into shore power the RVer may want to test the receptacle for "good ground, open circuits, reversed polarity and safe voltage."((http://50amppowerpal.com/pages/faq)) Before plugging into shore power the RVer may want to test the receptacle for "good ground, open circuits, reversed polarity and safe voltage."((http://50amppowerpal.com/pages/faq))
electrical/shore_power.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/02 12:20 by frater_secessus