Electric at campsite: Is there a 'standard'?

Steamboat_Willie · 07-13-2012, 08:16 AM

After camping "on the water" for many years we recently acquired our new Jayco 22 TT for some "land camping". Nice product. Looking forward to our new adventures. Step by step we'll become familiar with the differences and similarities. I have a campsite electrical question: When a campground specifies the availability of "Water/Electric" sites is there any 'standard' per se' as far as what is offered when electric service is provided? Will campgrounds provide BOTH 50A & 30A receptacles at those sites? Or are campsites specifically set up for one or the other or a mix? When we went on our initial online accessories ordering spree I ordered both a 20A & 50A adapter so that we'd be able to accommodate connection to just about anything. Is there any standard (sort of) in place regarding this?
Thanks.
Ed

Deemarch · 07-13-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steamboat_Willie

After camping "on the water" for many years we recently acquired our new Jayco 22 TT for some "land camping". Nice product. Looking forward to our new adventures. Step by step we'll become familiar with the differences and similarities. I have a campsite electrical question: When a campground specifies the availability of "Water/Electric" sites is there any 'standard' per se' as far as what is offered when electric service is provided? Will campgrounds provide BOTH 50A & 30A receptacles at those sites? Or are campsites specifically set up for one or the other or a mix? When we went on our initial online accessories ordering spree I ordered both a 20A & 50A adapter so that we'd be able to accommodate connection to just about anything. Is there any standard (sort of) in place regarding this?
Thanks.
Ed

Ah, you beat me to it! You do mean 30A, not 20A?

Quahog · 07-13-2012, 08:35 AM

From what I have seen, there is not a standard but most of the spots I've seen have a combination of 50A, 30A and often times a 20A as well. I find this 20A helpful for running items outside (i.e., fans, radios, induction cooktops, etc.).

RoyBraddy · 07-13-2012, 09:00 AM

I haven't found a standard but this info is always available when you make reservations. I usually make reservations and for the most part have never been surprised to show up at a site and not know what was available for me to hook-up to.

Showing up at site on the fly is where you will get into trouble maybe but it only takes a few minutes to log into the site's web page and find out all of this information.

This was another good PLAN-B for me when I upgraded my trailer battery system. I can survive very successfully for one day/night visit but will have to re-charge the next morning using my 2KW generator for 2-3hours. If the site doesn't allow generator operations I can always hook-up and drive to the first pull-out I can find and re-charge my battery system on one end of the extreme or pull batteries and charge using my portable smart-mode battery charger using my generator or finding a 120VAC source anywhere available. Maybe even the bath house... I always have a way out of the situation.

These situation are certainly different than the marine boat as you can re-charge batteries anywhere you like I would imagine. If you really want to get self-sustained then adding solar panels is the answer to that.

The real answer to your question is the information highway....

**norty1** · 07-13-2012, 09:07 AM

The answer is "all of the above". Having the adapters will make things easier because in you travels you will find every kind of power arrangement. It is a good idea to have a means of measuring the Voltage to prevent any problems.

I have invested in a Surge Guard after many years of camping as a precaution. Never have had any damage but low voltage can do damage to appliances.

smoothy · 07-13-2012, 02:56 PM

Actually I was at a place were there are 5 sites in one section and only one had a 30A/20A and the other only had 20A. Of course i picked the 20A site and it was hot so I would need AC. Luckily the one thing I always do before I unhook is plug in and make sure I have power so I moved to a 30A site.

Jagiven · 07-13-2012, 03:17 PM

I would say 20A/30A is the most common electrical site. Lately I have seen 50A almost everywhere. The biggest issue I have had is where the current bush is located. The last private CG I was at had one post for every two campers. So for the site the offered us it would have been in front of our rig and I do not carry a 30A extension cord. So we moved out to a nice grassy site in the sun, and did a pull through to get the post behind the rig.

tlhdoc · 07-13-2012, 04:05 PM

Up to date campgrounds usually have all 3. Older campgrounds often have just 20 amp electric. I always ask or specify the electric that I need/want.

clutch · 07-15-2012, 03:54 PM

We have an adapter for every situation that could possibly come up.

Jeff61 · 01-12-2013, 03:09 PM

Sites don't usually have 50A. unless they are set for big rigs or motorhomes, They generally have. 30A and 15A. A 30 to 15 adapter is a must. Make sure you have a 25 ft 30A extension cord- no substitutes. You will have trouble if you plug the 30A cord from your Rv into a 12 ga extension cord and expect to run your AC. It may literally get smokin hot!

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