Solved - 30/50 AMP RV outlet

I am electricity challenged.  So I have a couple questions for the pros and the knowledgeable DIY'ers. 

We are having to live in the RV during the renovations on the property we bought.  I have the 50 amp RV cable dropping down to a 30 amp adapter and then to a 110 outlet.  Haven't verified amperage but guess it is at 20 amp as there are several things that trip the breakers but don't when we are connected to 30 amp service.  It may be 30 amp but not a direct line as when it blows other outlets in the garage also go out. 

Down the road I would like to place a few permanent boxes on the property in case we move the RV or have guests, but looking for an easy solution for the time being. 

So right now we are plugged into the outside outlet connected to the detached garage.  Just inside the garage there is a 220 outlet.  So not sure if I can rewire for a 50 amp, 30 amp or a fake 50 amp. 

The more I think I can do this the more I think I will fry the wiring in my RV or kill myself. 

Since we live on the coast I don't really need 50 amp for the A/C so can I just put a larger beaker in the box or is it just better to run a new line.  The main line and box are on the other side of the garage so if that is needed at least there is not a long run. 

If it is a 15amp it will be 14/2 wire. 20 will be 12/2. If you put a bigger breaker in there is a possibility it could overheat the wire and cause a fire. If possible verify what amperage is in the outlet now. You will most likely need to upgrade the feed wire for the RV outlet to go 30 or 50 amp. I am no an electrician either. If you don't need the 220 in the garage you could put a new sub in the garage and divide that up to make it work possibly.

I'm not familiar with RV electrical but I'm guessing they have a small 50 amp electrical panel in them that you heat up with a cord?  If that's the case, then you can feed it with a 50A or less as you indicated.

For your power supply, as RacinRob indicated, you can not just change out the breaker size unless you also change out the wire to match the amperage of the new breaker.  You will burn the wire and possible much more.

Is the 220 outlet in the garage for a clothes dryer?  You can re-wire it at the panel to make it a 120V receptacle to to feed the RV, but you still need to verify wire size/amperage.  I'm assuming it's going to be on a 30 or 50 amp breaker already.

To make it 120 volts, just turn off the breaker and remove the lower wire from the breaker and put it on the neutral bar in the panel.  Then purchase a 120 volt receptacle of the correct amperage to replace the one in the garage.  Home Depot would have everything you need.

easy peasy

Thanks guys.  I figured I would need some new thicker wire or re configuring and will have someone else take a look at it. 

If I ever get my butt back over to the coast I can do it for you.

If you look at the wire and can do so safely 90% of the time the gauge of the wire is labeled right in the insulation. 6, 8, 10, 12, etc. that will tell us what wire capacity is. Best place to look is by opening the breaker panel box. Just don't touch any conductors. Or don't do it if you aren't mechanically inclined. Just a thought. The strips in the panel are 100 or 200 amps so I'm not gonna advise it if you haven't done it before.

If you look at the wire and can do so safely 90% of the time the gauge of the wire is labeled right in the insulation. 6, 8, 10, 12, etc. that will tell us what wire capacity is. Best place to look is by opening the breaker panel box. Just don't touch any conductors. Or don't do it if you aren't mechanically inclined. Just a thought. The strips in the panel are 100 or 200 amps so I'm not gonna advise it if you haven't done it before.

Checked the box and all breakers are 20 amp.  The 220 is a real thick cable but can't read what wire size.  It's all in one cord and not two separate lines so not sure if it's a candidate to convert to RV plug.  It's a real short run to box so starting from scratch may end up being the best option.  The shop has its own box but can't find one for the house and there are only a few breakers in the box attached to the garage and would have thought there were more. 

It's been fun learning new stuff so far.

Just put a 120v 50a on a post where you want it and put in a new circuit.  There are probably a handful of times where you will want the 50a and the difference in cost is trivial.  Do it right the first time and you won't have to overthink anything or rely on someone else's wiring job.

That's what you want eventually anyway.

110 to 220v House wiring is generally pretty straight forward.

However, having done some work on a few older homes you can't depend on basic rules, IE my current house when I bought it had a panel full of 20amp breakers, problem was they were attached to 14 gauge circuits. 14 gauge is considered 15amp max.  The dryer circuit was proper wire size for the 30amp breakers but the wrong type of wire, (probably safe but not code).

I think the best things you've said are :

I am electricity challenged.   

Thanks guys.  I figured I would need some new thicker wire or re configuring and will have someone else take a look at it. 

It's been fun learning new stuff so far.

I have a fair amount of experience from DIY remodeling/additions AND I have a journeyman electrician living across the street, (who won't do side jobs but is very free with advice)

I look at electrical work like a GWS, probably gonna be fine but the consequences of it going bad can be well, bad.

I look at electrical work like a GWS, probably gonna be fine but the consequences of it going bad can be well, bad.

Perfect analogy. 

I have noticed some piss poor previous work done as I have been going trough the house systematically fixing things.  Found a rusted out propane line that needed to be fixed and some poor water lines so far. 

So makes sense electrical should be evaluated. 

Take a couple of photos and post them up.  This should be an easy project.  If your were local I'd do it for you.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

Fisherman X was in the neighborhood and stopped by after work and did some testing and figured out where all the lines (well most of them) were running.  Looks like with a new 50/amp RV plug he can convert the 220 line that is not needed into a dedicated RV line. 



And I finally found the separate panel on the house.  With a pump house, detached garbage and shop there are wires running everywhere. 

NCKA members rock.  So Fisherman X was able to use my existing line and breakers and replaced an old dryer outlet to a new 50 amp RV outlet. 

I think I may have learned a thing or two during the fix.

My wife was able to blow our internal breakers Intentionally but the 50 amp held strong. 

Thanks for the help.