30AMP Service

[Loretta]

2010 Greyhawk, 30AMP.
Are there any advantages or cautions to plugging into a 50AMP outlet with a 50 to 30 AMP adapter? I haven't heard anything either way but want to ask before I find a situation where I might have to or run the generator.

[ALJO]

As your current draw will be more that 30 amp the breaker on the service outlet will trip.
So stay under it. If you have to go over the 30 amp and no service available use your generator.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by ALJO

As your current draw will be more that 30 amp the breaker on the service outlet will trip.
So stay under it. If you have to go over the 30 amp and no service available use your generator.

No, the coach only has 30 amp service. They want to use the 50 amp outlet.

[ALJO]

Oops!..... they can use the 50 amp (with adaptor) on 30 Amp, but are limited to 30 amp on the RV breaker.

[Boudreaux]

Originally Posted by Loretta

2010 Greyhawk, 30AMP.
Are there any advantages or cautions to plugging into a 50AMP outlet with a 50 to 30 AMP adapter? I haven't heard anything either way but want to ask before I find a situation where I might have to or run the generator.

Hello Loretta.... There are no advantages or disadvantages in using a 30AMP to 50 AMP adapter. There may be times when you will need to do this because of the well-used well-worn 30 AMP plug on the post. I carry such an adapter for just such situations. Just make sure you purchased a reputable adapter.

[Marcm157]

I often choose the 50 amp outlet even though my camper is only 30 amp simply because they are on better condition many times. They are used less often so there is less wear and tear on them

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I often choose the 50 amp outlet even though my camper is only 30 amp simply because they are on better condition many times. They are used less often so there is less wear and tear on them

X2 and have done so for a few years now.

[gprapim]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I often choose the 50 amp outlet even though my camper is only 30 amp simply because they are on better condition many times. They are used less often so there is less wear and tear on them

X2

[Macrosill]

The only disadvantage is your 30 amp shore line is now protected by a 50 amp breaker. If there was a short in the cord between the main breaker in your unit and the pedestal then it is possible the cord will overheat and bad stuff could happen. It is a remote possibility but is possible non the less.

[RoyBraddy]

We do this ll the the time mainly because of a well worn 30A SERVICE connector on the pedestal. You can note burn and arcing marks on the 30A Service like shown in this photo.


Google image

I would not want to plug my 30A Shore Power cable into this connector. This may result in your Shore Power cable to look like this and will have to be replaced...


Google image

These are my concerns at any rate hehe...

The 50A to 30A Adapter only selects one of the 50A HOT LEGS so there is no two zones of 50A LEGS feeding your 30A Electrical setup...


Google Image

As noted above in a couple of responses about the only thing to be aware of is the 50A Circuit breaker on the pedestal is now feeding your 30A Service Breaker in your trailer. If you pull more than 30 Amps from your trailer setup it will trip your 30A trailer main breaker and not the 50A breaker on the pedestal...

I forget where this was at but I have seen at one camp ground a sign saying using the 50A to 30A Adapter Cord was not permitted.

All part my infamous PLAN Bs to use when camping trying to stay ahead of the game hehe...

Roy Ken

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I often choose the 50 amp outlet even though my camper is only 30 amp simply because they are on better condition many times. They are used less often so there is less wear and tear on them

X3. Another advantage is that if you accidentally draw too much current, the house breaker will trip and not the post breaker.

[bababooey]

Originally Posted by hoppers4

X3. Another advantage is that if you accidentally draw too much current, the house breaker will trip and not the post breaker.

Had this problem last time out. Kept tripping the 30AMP at the pedestal. Switched over to the 50AMP, no issues.

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I often choose the 50 amp outlet even though my camper is only 30 amp simply because they are on better condition many times. They are used less often so there is less wear and tear on them

Same here, I only plug into the 50amp outlet when available for my 30amp service.

[jd99336]

What Roy said. A 50 amp outlet is two 30's essentially. Even in your coach, one leg is wired to the majority of your "stuff" while the other powers things like a second AC (a separate circuit). So your protection remains the same at 30 amps (or 25 if they use 25 amp breakers) x 2. Your adapter just taps one side for the 30 amp service.

I found this out converting a 220v welding plug over to a 50 amp rv plug. You are running two 110v services through two breakers. So there is no potential issues for running an good adapter off the 50 amp outlet.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by jd99336

What Roy said. A 50 amp outlet is two 30's essentially. Even in your coach, one leg is wired to the majority of your "stuff" while the other powers things like a second AC (a separate circuit). So your protection remains the same at 30 amps (or 25 if they use 25 amp breakers) x 2. Your adapter just taps one side for the 30 amp service.

I found this out converting a 220v welding plug over to a 50 amp rv plug. You are running two 110v services through two breakers. So there is no potential issues for running an good adapter off the 50 amp outlet.

A 30 amp service is only 120 volts, at 3600 potential watts of power. Your 50 amp service is 2 120 volt legs at 12,000 watts of power. The 50 amp is a 240 system but normally is broken down in the rv to 2 120 50 amp 6000 watt systems. Some RV's do utilize 240 for some appliances ie dryers.

The 50 amp system gives you potentially 100 amps at 120 volts or 12,000 watts. Over 3 times the power that a 30 amp system offers..

[bababooey]

Originally Posted by wags999

A 30 amp service is only 120 volts, at 3600 potential watts of power. Your 50 amp service is 2 120 volt legs at 12,000 watts of power. The 50 amp is a 240 system but normally is broken down in the rv to 2 120 50 amp 6000 watt systems. Some RV's do utilize 240 for some appliances ie dryers.

The 50 amp system gives you potentially 100 amps at 120 volts or 12,000 watts. Over 3 times the power that a 30 amp system offers..

To summarize. Ohms law still works?

[jkhs12]

We do it all the time....no problems

[canadiankid]

I often run my 50 to 30 for the rv. Then a 30amp to regular plug to run an ice maker or something of that nature as to not overload the 30 amp service.

[GL243]

I presume this doesn't pose any problem with an EMS, right?

[canadiankid]

Nope I run one.