Compatible shore power Plug?

[khantroll]

Hi! I have a question for those of you that deal with more modern rigs. I am hoping to convert my RV to 50a service in the near future. The RVs that I have personally been around 50a hook ups used a NEMA 14-50 plug (which looks kind of like a standard dryer plug). A quick google though shows that Lippert only no longer makes this style of plug; instead, they utilize what looks like 125v 50a twist lock plug.


Is this the current standard?


Which type of plug am I more likely to encounter in an RV park?


Thanks!

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

NEMA 14-50R is the normal standard.

I believe the Twist lock is more a marine standard

http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm

https://www.google.com/search?site=&source=hp&q=50+amp+rv+service+plug&oq=50+amp+rv+service&gs_l=psy-ab.1.3.0l4.2194.8686.0.11832.19.17.0.0.0.0.394.2851.0j10j1j3.14.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..5.14.2841.0..35i39k1j0i131k1j0i20k1.42FhuIOyUfM#q=50+amp+rv+plug

[Rickf1985]

There is no 125 volt 50 amp plug that I have ever seen, 125 volt 30 amp maybe? They are available in twist lock. I think most of the plugs in campgrounds are still three prong but home use mandates four prong four the separate neutral and ground in the panel. Then again I could never afford anything that has a 50 amp service let alone the places that cater to them so I really don't know. I just go by what I see for sale in Camping World.

Dave and I are competeing for post time again, but he posted the correct plug and I do see it is a four pole plug.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

30 amp service is 3 prong

50 amp service is always 4 prong.  While it is 125VAC, 50 amps on each leg it is actually 240VDC service across the 2 legs.  So, in actuality, you have 100 amps of service. Just like in home wiring, you have to be cautious with load balancing as the neutral leg is only rated at 50 amps even though you have 2 50 amp service legs.

[khantroll]

Hi guys,


See, that's what I thought, but when you type "50a RV inlet" or "50a RV plug", you mostly get something that looks like this:


https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Wiring/Mighty-Cord/A10-50INBKVP.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--DLBRCNARIsAFIwR26pg0pa4hh4bm8LB0dVXBR1JeDzDznW7xK53rXby2CZ9h0EpYxEQbkaAik5EALw_wcB


Even Lippert Components, one of the biggest suppliers, seems to only be selling 125v, three prong, supposedly 50a plugs. That just threw me

[legomybago]

Here is a 50 amp rv plug. These are nice because they set flush with the power box when they are in use. You will need to run heavy cord also. That's the expensive part.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RV-50-Amp-PowerGrip-Male-Replacement-Plug-Yellow/29764608?wmlspartner=wmtlabs

[Rickf1985]

Hi guys,


See, that's what I thought, but when you type "50a RV inlet" or "50a RV plug", you mostly get something that looks like this:


https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Wiring/Mighty-Cord/A10-50INBKVP.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--DLBRCNARIsAFIwR26pg0pa4hh4bm8LB0dVXBR1JeDzDznW7xK53rXby2CZ9h0EpYxEQbkaAik5EALw_wcB


Even Lippert Components, one of the biggest suppliers, seems to only be selling 125v, three prong, supposedly 50a plugs. That just threw me

Those are what you would use to connect a generator to your house. That is what I have on my house. I think the reason E-trailer is showing them is probably because they cater to more of the race car trailers and portable generator type setups that would use that type of cord.

[khantroll]

Lego: Right, that was my plan. I wanted to convert to an umbilical setup, and then make a cord of 6/4 power cable with that plug on one end and a female plug on the other. I can't seem to find weather proof rv  socket for that (only these marine plugs).



Rick: Yeah, I figure they are for house or marine. But even the RV places are stocking them. Both of my local dealers tried to give me one. The local campingworld offered me a 4 prong, BUT the ground was built into the locking mechanism (I think this a marine style plug).

[legomybago]

This is the male outlet my 1987 Beaver coach had. http://www.boatersland.com/hbl503ss.html

You then build yourself a removable power cord that you can store in the rig. I think the flush mount 50 amp male outlets are all twist lock design. You can of course find a cheaper version than this 150 dollar stainless steel one.

[legomybago]

wow, the prices on this stuff is crazy. Hence one more reason the price difference between a Fleetwood RV vs. a Country Coach/Beaver/Wanderlodge etc upper end motorhome..

http://www.boatersland.com/50-amp-plugs-outlets.html

[Rickf1985]

You WERE right, A 50 amp 125 volt plug! I don't think I have ever seen a 50 amp 125 volt plug or circuit!

[khantroll]

Hi Ralph: I have some experience with electrical systems, ranging from house hold wiring to industrial wiring to low and high voltage DC. I fully intend to replace every existing electrical component in the RV electrical system (barring the wiring itself and  those end of line items already replaced). The panel, the converter, the transfer switches, and external cording will be replaced with modern versions. The sad truth is that this is a necessary conversion. My air conditioner went out two years ago, and and the modern unit I replaced it with draws a significant constant load, as well as twice that for a solid minute and half at start up.


Lego: That's it! That exactly what I am finding, and what they are offering me at the local place. Those style of plugs can be had cheaper on ebay, if you should ever need one.


So, gentlemen, it would seem they don't make a NEMA 14-50R umbilical. I'll just have to keep with the attached cord style, or hillbilly engineer something.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Not really sure what all you are looking for, however,

RV AC wiring example for both 30 amp and 50 amp service:



Standard RV Campground 50 amp RV receptacle:



Standard RV Campground 50 amp male plug:



Standard RV Campground 50 amp female plug:




Standard RV Campground 30 amp RV receptacle:



Standard RV Campground 30 amp male plug:


Standard RV Campground 30 amp female plug:

[yellowrecve]

50A cords are available in 15ft & 30ft with male end only and as an extension cord in 15ft & 30ft with male & female ends. They are not cheap. See your RV Parts Dealer.

[khantroll]

Hi Dave,


I understand that (even have the same diagram saved ) .What was throwing me, (and I still find interesting) is that you can't find an umbilical style fitting for the NEMA-50 style plugs. I took that to mean that they weren't being used anymore, and had been phased out in favor of the style that Lego posted.


I now see that it is just a different standard, and I will be going with the traditional 50a plug because my goal is compatibility without adapters. That leads me to the fact that I will either need keep the standard style of cord (no umbilical), or make my own umbilical style setup.

[Rickf1985]

I really need to make up some adapters, when I get time. Yea right!

[khantroll]

Umbilical power cords are a style of power cord common to modern and higher priced vintage units in which, rather then  long cord terminated on one end by a male plug on one end and the other end wired directly to the distribution panel or electrical safety device, there is a shorter, internal cord which is terminated on one end by by the distribution panel and the other end by a male or female outlet (styles differ). In order to make a connection, the owner pulls our a separate electrical cord which plugs into the coach and the pedestal (akin to an extension cord). So, it's kind of like the rocket ship

[khantroll]

it's doable. My friend has an 84 Monaco with an umbilical, although they may not have called them that back then. They are pretty common on new RVs, and some of the replacement ones are designed to break away in the event you leave them plugged in. It is unlikely mine will have that feature due to the fixtures I will have access to, but my goal is to avoid fighting to wind it up: I can get a cord on a spool and stow it in the back, rather then fighting to push it back in the cubby hole as I do now.