Additional 120v 20amp circuit (From TapaTalk Forum)

Jun 14, 2018#1

We usually travel in the spring or fall and being cheap always use electric heat. A lot of campgrounds only have 30 amp. To use electric heat we have to select what we want on. I have thought of installing an additional 20 amp plugin with a outlet or two inside for heat. Most campgrounds have a 30 amp along with a 20 amp next to it. Anyone do this?

Jun 14, 2018#2

If the pole is wired for a total of 30 amps with the 20amp in parallel trying to get another 20 amps won’t work.

Below is a picture of what was unused space below the fridge/above the furnace in our 34SB3

When I forgot the 30amp adapter for the generator I ran a cord through the dump hose hatch into this area and the furnace return air vent.

Jun 15, 2018#3

I understand that each campground is wired differently and you are correct it my not work. But it could. I’m in a campground now that has a 30 an 20 amp outlets and it works, 30 for one and 20 on the other. I have thought about adding a 30 amp receptacle outside and wire a couple of additional 110v outlets to it. Just thought maybe someone else has done this before?

Jun 15, 2018#4

DandK,

Somewhere I have seen RV owner-built adapter box with a female receptacle for the regular 50 amp cord, and two cords coming out with male ends – one 20 amp and one 30 amp. I have never tried one, but in theory a faster and cleaner solution than the one you describe, but certainly either can be frowned on by campground owners.

If the the two receptacles on the campground post are wired with a single stand on the same leg (colors at the post may or may not be indicative of whether both are on either black or red at the main breaker panel), all you get is the 30 amps as indicated earlier . However, if independent runs like 220 (one on red leg, one on black leg), like they often are, you can get 50 or more amps. BUT, one side of your service will have only 20 amps total. You can easily change which side that will be by changing the configuration in the adapter box.

I believe the advice is plug in the adapter box and, before plugging in the camper cord, use a voltmeter to test if you have 220. A safer way is before you plug in the adapter box at the post use the voltmeter to see if you can get 220 off the two separate hot legs, and also use the meter to test and be absolutely certain both outlets have the neutral wired properly – don’t assume it is.

DandK-Travelers wrote:I understand that each campground is wired differently and you are correct it my not work. But it could. I’m in a campground now that has a 30 an 20 amp outlets and it works, 30 for one and 20 on the other. I have thought about adding a 30 amp receptacle outside and wire a couple of additional 110v outlets to it. Just thought maybe someone else has done this before?

Jun 15, 2018#5

Post #20 of the Adding Upgrading Fixing thread there are pictures of a second series of plugs. – Living room – Bedroom – Fridge – Pass through.

It was done with BX wire because getting the wire into the walls was an obstacle I didn’t want to deal with.

The circuit has a 15′ cord so it can be plugged into either of the inverters, shore power or the generator.