23 Comments
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Robert Lea's avatar

I built our house in 2005 after a year-long RV trip, 35,000 miles all over US, Alaska & Canada. Must have had RVng in mind when I designed the elec system to include a NEMA 14-50R 220v outlet in garage, but have never used it. Since I hired a retired Master electrician to work with me on design, specifications and installation with both of us working on-site during RI & trim, I will make the assumption that the neutral conductor is installed, but cannot guarantee that assumption

I do not do EV charging.

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Bill A's avatar

I have installed 8 different 50 amp RV hookups in my workshop, carport, storage shed and driveway. I’ve wired them myself and had electricians do it. All are 220 usually fed by 6/6/8 cable.

I have had Motorhome’s, fifth wheels and my Wrangler hybrid connected to all with no issues.

I’m not seeing where anyone should have problems if they wire them correctly?

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Mike Sokol's avatar

You are 100% correct. The problem seems to be new EV Level-2 charger installations that use a NEMA 14-50 Receptacle without the Neutral conductor because the electrician or developer wants to save a few bucks.

And there’s lots of NEMA 6-50 to 14-50 adapters on eBay/Amazon made for L2 EV chargers that are purchased by RV owners wanting to plug their 50-amp RV into the old welding receptacle in the garage.

That’s when the bad things happen!

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MikeR's avatar

I think the neutral ends up bonded to the service panel but I’m going to have to check that. It will be several weeks before I can get back to you since I am away from that workshop at present.

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artie's avatar

I have both in my garage right next to each other.

Haven't had a problem in 20 years.

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MikeR's avatar

I have a NEMA 6-50 with neutral for my welder. Never thought of using it for the van. I have a 15 amp adaptor for the shore power and since I only use a few led lights with the built in controller/charger or the fridge to pre-cool it or the chargers for both battery systems, I don’t need the full 30 amps of shore power. 15 amps is lots. Thanks for all your helpful tips and tricks!

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Mike Sokol's avatar

So is that a neutral or a ground conductor? That is, where does that conductor land back in your service panel? I’m working on a theory….

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David's avatar

I have both in my shop and yes the Rv 50 amp has a neutral

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Doug Duncan's avatar

I have a NEMA 6-50 for my welder and a 30A outlet for my RV in my pole barn. Both wired correctly and in use safely for years.

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Mike Fixit's avatar

We have a 14-50R with neutral wire attached for the fifth wheel and three 6-50 outlets in garage for the welder, plasma cutter, and compressor.

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Lee Isselhardt's avatar

14-50R in garage to charge Kia EV6.

Have not used it for our 30 amp travel trailer.

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Greg Illes's avatar

I'm wired to the nines -- workshops have (2) 6-50 welding outlets, 14-50 dryer outlet, TT-30 RV outlet. Another dryer outlet is upstairs (for the dryer), and there's a garage with a 14-50 for the EV. Running 200A service panel, 4KW solar, 26KWH Powerwalls, and 15KW backup gennie.

I like electricity... :o)

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Glen T's avatar

I have a 14-50R in my garage that the previous owner had installed for his son’s Tesla for when he visited. It’s properly wired with a neutral. It was convenient since we now have an electric Mustang Mach-E. Haven’t used it with my motorhome because it won’t fit in the driveway so I load up for trips using the indoor storage facility 2 miles away.

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Richard W Harding's avatar

I have two 6-50R outlets in my shop. One for my MIG welder and one for my large air compressor. The neutral wire in both cases is NOT hooked up and is capped with a wire nut in the box. I do not ever plan to use either outlet for an EV. The outlets are clearly marked 250V and 50A. I also have a separate RV box inside my garage for our motor home with the usual 50A/30A/20A outlets and breakers.

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Robert's avatar

We have a 50 Welder outlet in our garage. No, we do not plug an EV into it but we would consider doing that in the future.

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Rick Dowling's avatar

I used a friend’s EV plug for my 50 amp RV. I checked it out first with my PI EMS. It said it was good to go. Four days later I unplugged. No issues since.

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Jim's avatar

I had a spa outlet that I removed and replaced with a NEMA 14-50R Outdoor Electrical Receptacle Panel with a Power Watchdog attached. I plug my fifth wheel into it and it works great. No welder outlets.

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Randy Shrimplin's avatar

I have a 50 amp RV outlet in my front garage and two more in my shop. All have a neutral. I have since downsized my RV to a 30 amp unit but I have friends visit often and they use the outlets for 50 or 30 with an adapter. I did find a 50 to twin 30 adapter for when I have multiple guests with 30 amp coaches.

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