Another Must Have Item to add to your Inventory

[lclevel]

My Travel Trailer has a 30 amp electrical service, and I always believed I would never need a 30 to 50 amp plug adapter because all the campgrounds I stay in would probably always have a 30 amp receptacle.

Well Easter weekend I camped in a State Park and as predicted, they did have a 30 amp receptacle. However, the circuit breaker had been flipped on & off so many times over the years it could no longer handle 30 amps.

I could run the A/C, but if I turned on the water heater, microwave or ice machine it would trip. I didn’t put a meter on it, but It seemed as though in could only handle about 20 amps instead of 30.

So I’m thinking, if I report the problem to the Park Ranger I don’t know how long it will take for them to come and swap out the breaker. I’m sure they would need to shut power off to other sites as well to fix the problem. That’s if a maintenance person was even available. I also didn’t want to pack up and move to another site, even if one was available.

Oooooh how I wished I had a 30 to 50 amp adapter. I could have plugged into the 50 amp receptacle and still have all the power I needed.

We made it through the weekend by plugging an extension cord into the 15/20 amp receptacle to run the ice machine, and used propane only for the water heater. We turned off the A/C when we needed to use the microwave.

So I recommend those of you who have a 30 amp service to buy an adapter if you don’t already have one.

[norty1]

Good lesson. You have to be prepared for most any obstacle. The bigger the truck and your storage compartments the more you can be ready for when camping.

Don't forget extra water hose either.

[edatlanta]

Speaking of extra water hose, when I arrived at my host site a year ago I found out the water spigot was on the wrong side of the site so I had to go pick up another 25' hose. No problem.
Last week when I arrived at the same site for the summer I looked in the basement for my extra hose. It wasn't there. I had unloaded it sometime during the winter at my home base garage. Sooooooo, now I have three 25' hoses, two here and one in reserve!
Oh well.

[TexasA&M]

I bought a 50amp to 30 converter for that EXACT reason... if the site I'm at has both, I always plug into the 50amp socket because it has been used less and will be more reliable.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by TexasA&M

snip......I always plug into the 50amp socket because it has been used less and will be more reliable.

Good point, I never looked at it that way before.

Bob

[Quahog]

X2 - I have the adapter but haven't had the need to use it yet. However, you make a very valid point, Tex.

[TNJayco]

I have a 30 to 50 amp converter but I've never used it. So are you saying that if I plug into the 50 amp this might prevent me from having to turn off the ac when using the microwave?

[Quahog]

No, he's saying it's a good thing to have in your tool bag. Someday, you might find a pedestal where the 30 amp side is not working but the 50 amp is so it would be a life saver.

He's also saying that if you ever notice, the 30 amp side of the pedestal gets a lot more use that the 50 amp receptacle. You will get a better connection if the receptacle is not as worn out.

The reason he's saying he couldn't run both the microwave and AC together is probably due to the poor pedestal connection which might cause the breaker to pop. Although it's rated for 30 amps, he was only seeing 20 amps get through before the breaker tripped.

[edowsfamily]

I wish they had eletric at the state parks in New England. with that said I will have to look into one of those converters/ adaptor for our stays in private campgrounds or Army Corps of Engineering Campgrounds.

[Quahog]

Really? No electric? Has water though, right?

I've got reservations at Scusset Beach for 5 days and the reservation says it has water and 30 amp electric.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by TexasA&M

, I always plug into the 50amp socket because it has been used less and will be more reliable.

You realize that only gives you 25 amps... a 50 amp circuit gives you 25 amps on the left leg and 25 on the right leg...

[edowsfamily]

i believe they do have water at the sites, but electric i don't think they have, i also think it is just a dump station. we never camped at Scusset Beach we do go Shawme-Crowell and that is dry camping.

[mikefos]

Originally Posted by Seann45

You realize that only gives you 25 amps... a 50 amp circuit gives you 25 amps on the left leg and 25 on the right leg...

Really? New news to me. If true that would be disappointing. I've only had to do this once but I like the idea as some of those 30 amp plugs look like they've seen their better days.

[nylyon]

Originally Posted by Seann45

You realize that only gives you 25 amps... a 50 amp circuit gives you 25 amps on the left leg and 25 on the right leg...

The 50A does provide (2) 50A legs at 120V which would give 100A at 120V. If you look at the circuit breakers, you should see (2) 50A breakers tied together. Basically if either of the 2 legs draw more than 50A, the breaker would trip both legs, that gives a maximum of 50A on one leg and 50A on the other for 100A at 120V.

[lclevel]

The two links below will help you to understand 30 amp & 50 amp service for RV's.


http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm

http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/30amp_Service.htm

[Quahog]

Ain't forums great?

[lclevel]

Originally Posted by Quahog

Ain't forums great?

They are WONDERFUL!!!

I've learned so much over the years and saved lots of money because of the knowledge I've gained from forums such as this one.

[cbaka27]

This forum keeps costing me money. Everyday I read about a new Mod that I "need" to do. At least thats what I tell my wife. They are all needs!!!

[Quahog]

Each time you do a mod, show it to her so she feels a part of it. Explain the benefits and why it's a good thing. Before you know it, she'll be suggesting mods to YOU! LOL

[sparky]

If you use a 50 amp to 30 amp be carefull the cord is #10 only good for 30 amps