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Topic: Shore power supply  (Read 404 times) previous topic - next topic

Shore power supply

I have never had this situation before. I only have 120v  power supply available, So I am using a adapter from the 120v to supply my 240v supply cord. My question is will only one (1) leg be supplied, or will both legs be supplied? Is there anything I should be concerned with other than the total load?
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #1
Both legs will be supplied.
The single hot on the 15/20/30 amp male side is tied to both hots in the 50 amp side in the adapter.

So, yes, everything will work.  What all you can run at the same time is, of course, limited by supply to the total of the amps supplied.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #2
Thanks...
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #3
I keep our FT plugged into a 15 amp outlet, and it works fine for the normal stuff - fridge (non-residential), battery chargers, occasional vacuum.

I tried running one AC and the voltage dropped to 104 volts - the minimum safe voltage listed by various sources.  I heeded the experiment results, and drag out the big cord if we need AC.

The 15 amp supply is through a thick extension cord, but it travels a ways from the source.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #4
I have never had this situation before. I only have 120v  power supply available,
Are you going to be there a while?  Your U300 doesn't have any 240V appliances as far as I know.  There are work arounds.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #5
Yup, the "work around" is to limit total amp draw to less than the amp rating of your supply circuit, AND monitor voltage.

Many house circuits wiring is not oversized to accommodate high amp draws.

120 VAC =/- 10% is acceptable.  So, for most appliances 108- 132 VAC is OK.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #6
Yup, the "work around" is to limit total amp draw to less than the amp rating of your supply circuit, AND monitor voltage.

Many house circuits wiring is not oversized to accommodate high amp draws.

120 VAC =/- 10% is acceptable.  So, for most appliances 108- 132 VAC is OK.
I was thinking along the lines of robbing two circuits to make one.  Two 15A legs are better than one.  When I installed my 50A socket here I installed a double 30A breaker to feed the thing.  My box has a double breaker coming in and I do have 240V available, but I don't really need 50A of current.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #7
Controlling factor will be house wire size.  Larger breaker in the house breaker box is OK only if the wire to the outlet is sized appropriately for the higher-amp load.

And, yes I understand finding and tapping into two different 15 amp hots coming from opposite sides of house main breaker box-- been there, done that, but only for the really electrically savvy!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

 

Re: Shore power supply

Reply #8
Controlling factor will be house wire size.  Larger breaker in the house breaker box is OK only if the wire to the outlet is sized appropriately for the higher-amp load.

And, yes I understand finding and tapping into two different 15 amp hots coming from opposite sides of house main breaker box-- been there, done that, but only for the really electrically savvy!
It never enters my mind to merely install a larger breaker as that way is just plain old stupid.  But Gerry stated that he doesn't have 220V and nothing else.  So imagine that he's at home, and his breaker box has a double 100A breaker coming in at the top.  Chances are that's 2-phase from the pole so he has 220V available.  Not that it matters, the FT won't make use of the 2-PH.  But an electrician can install a weather proof 220V 4-pin socket and a pair of breakers to feed said outlet of electrical goodness.

Or you can take two heavy extension cords, find two 15A outlets one each on separate circuit breakers and wire your own temporary "220V" socket.  Just don't allow it to become "a thing."  With your host's approval of course.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.