Shore Power
Electricity delivered to an RV through a campground pedestal or other external source — the alternative to running off the RV's house battery.
Also called: shore power, campground power, 30 amp, 50 amp, RV power hookup
Shore power is the electricity delivered to an RV through a campground pedestal or other external AC power source. The term comes from boating (a boat docked at “shore” uses shore power instead of its onboard battery), and it’s used identically in the RV world.
When an RV is plugged into shore power, the house battery is being charged by the converter, the AC systems (microwave, air conditioner, electric outlets) run at full capacity, and the RV operates effectively the same way a house does.
30-amp vs 50-amp shore power
The two standard RV shore power services:
- 30-amp service delivers about 3,600 watts (30 amps × 120 volts). Enough for one air conditioner, fridge, lights, and small appliances simultaneously.
- 50-amp service delivers about 12,000 watts (50 amps × 240 volts, split across two 120V hot lines). Enough for two ACs, microwave, hair dryer, fridge, etc. all at once.
Smaller Class B and most Class C rigs are 30-amp. Larger Class C and most Class A rigs are 50-amp.
Adapters you need
The campground pedestal you arrive at may not match your rig. The standard adapters:
| Pedestal has | RV needs | Adapter |
|---|---|---|
| 50 amp | 30 amp | 50-to-30 “dogbone” adapter |
| 30 amp | 50 amp | 30-to-50 dogbone (rig runs at half capacity) |
| 50 amp or 30 amp | 15 amp household | TT-30 to 15A (very limited — runs fridge, maybe lights) |
| 15 amp household outlet | 30 amp | 15A-to-30A pigtail (don’t expect to run AC) |
Reputable rental companies provide both 30-amp and 50-amp adapters as standard pickup gear. Confirm at pickup.
Campground voltage drop
When too many RVs are pulling power on a hot afternoon (everyone running their AC), the campground’s wiring can’t deliver full voltage. You’ll see this on a voltage meter as power dropping below 105V. Sustained low voltage damages air conditioners and refrigerators.
For this reason, an EMS (electrical management system) or surge protector is strongly recommended. Quality rental rigs come with one already installed. Without one, you should plug into a portable surge protector at the pedestal as the first thing you do at any new campground. They run $80–$300 at any RV store.
What shore power doesn’t do
Shore power runs the AC systems and charges the house battery, but it doesn’t:
- Run the propane furnace’s blower (that runs off the house battery, which is charged by shore power, but the blower itself is 12V DC)
- Run the water pump (also 12V DC, but unnecessary if you’re connected to a full hookup water source)
- Run the slide-outs or leveling jacks (also 12V DC)
If your shore power cord pulls loose at 2am, the house battery takes over and most systems keep running until the battery drains. This is why a well-charged house battery still matters even at a full-hookup site.