Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] 30 amp plug?
| [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173529] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 13:33  |
KB
Messages: 1262
Registered: September 2009
Karma: 0
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I'm considering replacing the original 50 amp plug on the
coach with a 30 amp one. I've yet to see a 50 amp plug-in
at a campground, but frequently see the smaller ones.
We always end up with the unwieldy adapter plugs on the
end of the huge 50 amp oem plug, and effectively end up
with a single 15 or 20 amp 110 circuit.
The original wiring is four wires -- two hots, a neutral,
and a ground. The hot wires each power one-half of the main
breaker panel. In effect, two separate ~20 amp 110 circuits,
assuming you're plugged into a 50 amp outlet.
The 30 amp "camper" plugs I found are basically an oversize
110 plug with a single hot, neutral, and ground.
I can figure out the wiring from the plug to the main
box, but I haven't seen what to do with the Onan output.
Just ignore one hot wire? Rewire the Onan somehow??
thanks,
Karen
1973 23'
1975 26'
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Karen
1975 26'
San Jose, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173531 is a reply to message #173529] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 13:42  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Karen,
The Onan's already wired as you want it -- 120 vac to both legs of the 50A
cord (it's only wired for 120 vac). If you want to continue to transfer
from shore to Onan by moving the cord, just replace the Onan's 50A socket
with a 30A one.
I can certainly understand your desire to get rid of the 50A cable -- I
don't think I'd last a week with one of those; all Coachmen-fitted GMCs,
like my X-Birchaven came with 30A cords.
If you have two A/C's, and perhaps in other situations, you're likely to
find the 30A supply is not sufficient. What I did on my '90 Airstread Land
Yacht with 30A supply was add a separate 15A cord just for the rear A/C.
Most campsites seem to have both 30A and 15A outlets. For those with 50A
outlets, I carried a homemade adapter to split 50A to 30A & 15A sockets.
Ken H.
On Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 2:33 PM, KB wrote:
> I'm considering replacing the original 50 amp plug on the
> coach with a 30 amp one. I've yet to see a 50 amp plug-in
> at a campground, but frequently see the smaller ones.
> We always end up with the unwieldy adapter plugs on the
> end of the huge 50 amp oem plug, and effectively end up
> with a single 15 or 20 amp 110 circuit.
>
> The original wiring is four wires -- two hots, a neutral,
> and a ground. The hot wires each power one-half of the main
> breaker panel. In effect, two separate ~20 amp 110 circuits,
> assuming you're plugged into a 50 amp outlet.
>
> The 30 amp "camper" plugs I found are basically an oversize
> 110 plug with a single hot, neutral, and ground.
>
> I can figure out the wiring from the plug to the main
> box, but I haven't seen what to do with the Onan output.
> Just ignore one hot wire? Rewire the Onan somehow??
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173535 is a reply to message #173531] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 14:15 |
 |
ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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My beloved PO installed a 30 amp cable, so I’ve never known the hassle of the 50 amp cable. I’ve never had trouble, though we only have one roof AC.
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jun 16, 2012, at 11:42 AM, Ken Henderson wrote:
> Karen,
>
> The Onan's already wired as you want it -- 120 vac to both legs of the 50A
> cord (it's only wired for 120 vac). If you want to continue to transfer
> from shore to Onan by moving the cord, just replace the Onan's 50A socket
> with a 30A one.
>
> I can certainly understand your desire to get rid of the 50A cable -- I
> don't think I'd last a week with one of those; all Coachmen-fitted GMCs,
> like my X-Birchaven came with 30A cords.
>
> If you have two A/C's, and perhaps in other situations, you're likely to
> find the 30A supply is not sufficient. What I did on my '90 Airstread Land
> Yacht with 30A supply was add a separate 15A cord just for the rear A/C.
> Most campsites seem to have both 30A and 15A outlets. For those with 50A
> outlets, I carried a homemade adapter to split 50A to 30A & 15A sockets.
>
> Ken H.
>
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173536 is a reply to message #173535] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 14:33 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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Money Pit (Pig) has the 50A plug/cable combo.
I would not even begin to think about removing
50A service to get a smaller cable. I don't
want to take the chance that my 2 A/C units
would be supported from a 30A source and two
are needed here in Oklahoma. We needed both at
Shawnee in March!
What I am going to do, is to cut the standard
shore power cable that fits into the Onan's
output receptacle down to a manageable length.
The male end of that cable needs replacement anyway
as it has suffered mangling and the ground pin is
intermittent. I will make an extension cable from
the remainder with female and male ends. The two
will store far more easily under one of the dinette
benches and along with the OTHER 30' extension I
have will allow options for various lengths of
power hookup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*
> From: ljdavick@comcast.net
> Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 12:15:50 -0700
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug?
>
> My beloved PO installed a 30 amp cable, so I’ve never known the hassle of the 50 amp cable. I’ve never had trouble, though we only have one roof AC.
>
> Larry Davick
> The Mystery Machine
> 1976(ish) Palm Beach
> Fremont, CA
>
> On Jun 16, 2012, at 11:42 AM, Ken Henderson wrote:
>
> > Karen,
> >
> > The Onan's already wired as you want it -- 120 vac to both legs of the 50A
> > cord (it's only wired for 120 vac). If you want to continue to transfer
> > from shore to Onan by moving the cord, just replace the Onan's 50A socket
> > with a 30A one.
> >
> > I can certainly understand your desire to get rid of the 50A cable -- I
> > don't think I'd last a week with one of those; all Coachmen-fitted GMCs,
> > like my X-Birchaven came with 30A cords.
> >
> > If you have two A/C's, and perhaps in other situations, you're likely to
> > find the 30A supply is not sufficient. What I did on my '90 Airstread Land
> > Yacht with 30A supply was add a separate 15A cord just for the rear A/C.
> > Most campsites seem to have both 30A and 15A outlets. For those with 50A
> > outlets, I carried a homemade adapter to split 50A to 30A & 15A sockets.
> >
> > Ken H.
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173538 is a reply to message #173529] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 14:57 |
rssbob
Messages: 259
Registered: January 2004
Location: La Mesa, Ca. (San Diego a...
Karma: 0
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On Jun 16, 2012, at 11:33 AM, KB wrote:
> I'm considering replacing the original 50 amp plug on the
> coach with a 30 amp one. I've yet to see a 50 amp plug-in
> at a campground, but frequently see the smaller ones.
> We always end up with the unwieldy adapter plugs on the
> end of the huge 50 amp oem plug, and effectively end up
> with a single 15 or 20 amp 110 circuit.
>
> The original wiring is four wires -- two hots, a neutral,
> and a ground. The hot wires each power one-half of the main
> breaker panel. In effect, two separate ~20 amp 110 circuits,
> assuming you're plugged into a 50 amp outlet.
>
> The 30 amp "camper" plugs I found are basically an oversize
> 110 plug with a single hot, neutral, and ground.
>
> I can figure out the wiring from the plug to the main
> box, but I haven't seen what to do with the Onan output.
> Just ignore one hot wire? Rewire the Onan somehow??
>
>
> thanks,
> Karen
> 1973 23'
> 1975 26'
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Hi Karen,
Here is what I did with my 50 amp power cable.
1. Cut the cord off so you will have enough cable left to reinstall the plug on the stub. It needs to be long enough to plug into the gen set. I left mine about 4' long and if I had it to do over I would have left it about 2 feet long.
2. With the old 50 amp cable you have left you can put another connector on the cutt-off en to make it into a 50 amp extension cord. Then if you ever need 50 amps you can use this instead of the 30 amp.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3777-power-cord-update.html
Bob Sobrito
1978 Palm Beach
La Mesa, Ca
antique pocket watch repair
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Bob Sobrito
78 Palm Beach
La Mesa, Ca
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173540 is a reply to message #173535] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 14:54 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Funny, but I've never found the 50 amp cable (actually 40 amp) to be a hassle. I will never change it.
You may need me or someone else to show you the proper way to roll the cable into the compartment. Even in below zero weather I've never had a problem doing it.
Plus it's great to have full 40 amp service.
Emery Stora
On Jun 16, 2012, at 1:15 PM, Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net> wrote:
> My beloved PO installed a 30 amp cable, so I’ve never known the hassle of the 50 amp cable. I’ve never had trouble, though we only have one roof AC.
>
> Larry Davick
> The Mystery Machine
> 1976(ish) Palm Beach
> Fremont, CA
>
> On Jun 16, 2012, at 11:42 AM, Ken Henderson wrote:
>
>> Karen,
>>
>> The Onan's already wired as you want it -- 120 vac to both legs of the 50A
>> cord (it's only wired for 120 vac). If you want to continue to transfer
>> from shore to Onan by moving the cord, just replace the Onan's 50A socket
>> with a 30A one.
>>
>> I can certainly understand your desire to get rid of the 50A cable -- I
>> don't think I'd last a week with one of those; all Coachmen-fitted GMCs,
>> like my X-Birchaven came with 30A cords.
>>
>> If you have two A/C's, and perhaps in other situations, you're likely to
>> find the 30A supply is not sufficient. What I did on my '90 Airstread Land
>> Yacht with 30A supply was add a separate 15A cord just for the rear A/C.
>> Most campsites seem to have both 30A and 15A outlets. For those with 50A
>> outlets, I carried a homemade adapter to split 50A to 30A & 15A sockets.
>>
>> Ken H.
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173547 is a reply to message #173541] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 16:40 |
Chuck Garton
Messages: 54
Registered: June 2006
Karma: 0
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Member |
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I had a 1974 coach for 16 years and its 50A cable was a pain, very
stiff even when warm. My 1977 coach' 50A cable is very flexable even
when its cold. I checked other newer coaches and their cables are like
mine.
Having 2 roof A/C's and living in the desert, I'll keep the 50A.
Chuck Garton
77 Kingsley 455
Ridgecrest, CA
On Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 1:16 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> My mother's second husband, a sailboater, taught me the trick
> of which you are probably speaking. It's still a bit of a hassle,
> but the cable WILL fit!
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ______________
> *[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
> *--OO--[]---O-*
>
>
>
>
>> From: emerystora@mac.com
>> Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 13:54:57 -0600
>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug?
>>
>> Funny, but I've never found the 50 amp cable (actually 40 amp) to be a hassle. I will never change it.
>>
>> You may need me or someone else to show you the proper way to roll the cable into the compartment. Even in below zero weather I've never had a problem doing it.
>>
>> Plus it's great to have full 40 amp service.
>>
>> Emery Stora
>
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173548 is a reply to message #173547] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 16:43 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Chuck
It never occurred to me that eariler models may have had different, less flexible, cables from that in my 1977.
Perhaps that is why I've never had a problem with it.
Emery Stora
On Jun 16, 2012, at 3:40 PM, Chuck Garton <ceg777@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I had a 1974 coach for 16 years and its 50A cable was a pain, very
> stiff even when warm. My 1977 coach' 50A cable is very flexable even
> when its cold. I checked other newer coaches and their cables are like
> mine.
> Having 2 roof A/C's and living in the desert, I'll keep the 50A.
>
> Chuck Garton
> 77 Kingsley 455
> Ridgecrest, CA
>
> On Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 1:16 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> My mother's second husband, a sailboater, taught me the trick
>> of which you are probably speaking. It's still a bit of a hassle,
>> but the cable WILL fit!
>>
>> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
>> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
>> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
>> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
>> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
>> ~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
>> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
>> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>> ______________
>> *[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
>> *--OO--[]---O-*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> From: emerystora@mac.com
>>> Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 13:54:57 -0600
>>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug?
>>>
>>> Funny, but I've never found the 50 amp cable (actually 40 amp) to be a hassle. I will never change it.
>>>
>>> You may need me or someone else to show you the proper way to roll the cable into the compartment. Even in below zero weather I've never had a problem doing it.
>>>
>>> Plus it's great to have full 40 amp service.
>>>
>>> Emery Stora
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173550 is a reply to message #173548] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 17:16 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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I suspect that 50A 125/250V capable cable is
pretty much "standard" and GMC MAY have used
it on earlier coaches instead of dropping to
40A capability to save a few dollars.
Mine is quite stiff, even in warm temperatures.
I had the final pair of KMC XD 775 Rock Star
wheels put on last week and the in and out
drill is somewhat difficult, even in warmer
weather.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*
> From: emerystora@mac.com
> Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:43:56 -0600
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug?
>
> Chuck
>
> It never occurred to me that eariler models may have had different, less flexible, cables from that in my 1977.
>
> Perhaps that is why I've never had a problem with it.
>
> Emery Stora
>
> On Jun 16, 2012, at 3:40 PM, Chuck Garton <ceg777@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> > I had a 1974 coach for 16 years and its 50A cable was a pain, very
> > stiff even when warm. My 1977 coach' 50A cable is very flexable even
> > when its cold. I checked other newer coaches and their cables are like
> > mine.
> > Having 2 roof A/C's and living in the desert, I'll keep the 50A.
> >
> > Chuck Garton
> > 77 Kingsley 455
> > Ridgecrest, CA
> >>
> >>
> >>> From: emerystora@mac.com
> >>> Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 13:54:57 -0600
> >>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> >>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug?
> >>>
> >>> Funny, but I've never found the 50 amp cable (actually 40 amp) to be a hassle. I will never change it.
> >>>
> >>> You may need me or someone else to show you the proper way to roll the cable into the compartment. Even in below zero weather I've never had a problem doing it.
> >>>
> >>> Plus it's great to have full 40 amp service.
> >>>
> >>> Emery Stora
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173579 is a reply to message #173540] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 20:12 |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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[quote title=emerystora wrote on Sat, 16 June 2012 12:54]Funny, but I've never found the 50 amp cable (actually 40 amp) to be a hassle. I will never change it.
You may need me or someone else to show you the proper way to roll the cable into the compartment. Even in below zero weather I've never had a problem doing it.
Plus it's great to have full 40 amp service.
Emery Stora
More power. More better.
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173581 is a reply to message #173529] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 20:18 |
KB
Messages: 1262
Registered: September 2009
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I don't mind the cord too much. The problem is we have
yet to visit a campground that actually had a 50amp outlet.
Regular 15 or 20 amp and the "camper" 30 amp outlets is
all we've seen. But maybe it's regional.
Sounds like the wiring solution is to just cap off one of the
hots from the onan and only use one leg for the 30amp outlet.
thanks
Karen
1973 23'
1975 26'
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Karen
1975 26'
San Jose, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] 30 amp plug? [message #173608 is a reply to message #173585] |
Sat, 16 June 2012 22:48 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I pulled in to a campground for a one night overnight stop. I do not remember where it was now other than the WiFi was terrible, The lady said I only have one spot left. It is 50 amp only. I took it. I know of no commercially available adapter to go from a 30 amp 110 coach to a 50 amp 220 service. I realize I could make one and carry it with me if I had 30 amp service. Most places I have stayed at, including most GMCMI rallies, offer 50, 30, and 20 or 15 amp service.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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