Using 30 Amp to 50 Amp “Y” connector

[USNMA1]

Okay before I blow something up, can you use a dual 30amp to 50amp Y connect to a 9000 w generator with two 30 amp 120v plugs?

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by USNMA1

Okay before I blow something up, can you use a dual 30amp to 50amp Y connect to a 9000 w generator with two 30 amp 120v plugs?

The simple answer is no. 50 amps is 240 volts. you can plug your 50 amp into 1 30 amp outlet. You will be limited to 30 amps.

[Jeffur]

50Amp to two 30amp

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by Jeffur

50Amp to two 30amp

ANYONE that pays $475.00 for that is one complete fool!!

[RoadrunnerII]

Originally Posted by Cavie

ANYONE that pays $475.00 for that is one complete fool!!

But it's on sale!
We see this pricing crap all the time!
Its a Canadian Amazon and eBay issue.
That and ridiculous shipping prices

RoadrunnerII

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Cavie

The simple answer is no. 50 amps is 240 volts. you can plug your 50 amp into 1 30 amp outlet. You will be limited to 30 amps.

While this is true up to the outlet, most RVs are wired with 2 independent 120V legs. Those adapters allow you 30A on each leg.

What kind of generator? It sounds like a dirty power contractors generator. I wouldn’t want my sensitive electronics on it.

[Jay2504]

If the OP plugs a 2-30amp to 1-50amp plug into his generator, is it possible that each hot leg from the generator won’t be exactly 180 degrees out of phase? If that were the case,because it is split in a 50amp rv, that the neutral could be overloaded if it is not big enough. Am I on the right track here? Jay

[USNMA1]

It’s a Predator 9000, brand new. Does not have a clean sine wave inverter so I assume I should use a surge protector.

[USNMA1]

So there are two 30amp 120 v plugs stacked on top of each other so wouldn’t that give me 60 amps of power?

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by USNMA1

So there are two 30amp 120 v plugs stacked on top of each other so wouldn’t that give me 60 amps of power?

Nope you still only have 30 amps on each leg.

[ExChief]

Originally Posted by USNMA1

So there are two 30amp 120 v plugs stacked on top of each other so wouldn’t that give me 60 amps of power?

Looking at a close up of the generator panel, there is a 30amp 4 wire 220volt receptacle(top one) and a 30 amp 3 wire 120volt receptacle (bottom one). You should not use the Y adapter. If your camper has a 50amp electric service, then just use the top 4 wire receptacle with an appropriate adapter. That will feed both legs of the camper and 30amps (each leg)is all your going to get from the generator anyway.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by ExChief

Looking at a close up of the generator panel, there is a 30amp 4 wire 220volt receptacle(top one) and a 30 amp 3 wire 120volt receptacle (bottom one). You should not use the Y adapter. If your camper has a 50amp electric service, then just use the top 4 wire receptacle with an appropriate adapter. That will feed both legs of the camper and 30amps (each leg)is all your going to get from the generator anyway.

This!

I wouldn’t want my TVs, microwaves, computers, etc running in that thing.

[Jay2504]

USAMA1, the right thing here to do is use only the top plug with the appropriate adapter. 30 amps is all you will get going into the camper, using its electrical system. That is 30 amps per side, not the 50 per side when plugged into a 50 amp shore plug. If it’s still new, I’d trade it in on the next size down at harbor freight. It will do 25 amps with the 4 way plug, but will make less noise, use less gas and be easier to move around. Jay

[USNMA1]

Thanks for all the input, I guess I have a useless Y adaptor. I am seriously considering going to on board generator. I have a whole house solar system so I just need something to supplement that and run the cappuccino machine 😜

[USNMA1]

I live in the mountains so I can always find a use for the predator.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by USNMA1

It’s a Predator 9000, brand new. Does not have a clean sine wave inverter so I assume I should use a surge protector.

A true generator is an entirely different animal than an inverter. A generator creates its output voltage by spinning a generator, which is a lot like an alternator, which should produce a sine wave output. An inverter creates its output by stepping up from a lower voltage, using some sort of waveform, to 120 volts (most common).

Since you have a generator you should ignore any reference to an inverter unless it is an "inverter generator".

I have no idea how "clean" an output from a true generator would be but assume that if the engine is running steady the generator would be producing a nice output. If the engine sputters then the output could be all over the place.

Here is a link to an article showing the difference between square wave and pure sine wave inverters. Remember, this would only apply to inverters and "inverter" generators.
What is the Difference Between Square Wave and Pure Sine Wave Inverters? – PSS Distributors

[USNMA1]

Thank you for that clarification, so running out of gas would be a bad thing. Would a surge protector help providing protection for the electronics and ac units?

[JimD]

It won't hurt but may not really help either. A surge protector protects circuitry from large voltage spikes such as a lightning strike on a power line upstream. Heavy equipment turning on and off can cause some spikes but that would need to be on the generator side of the equation.

Hard to say whether a generator would be capable of spiking to the point where a surge protector would kick in. That is beyond my expertise so I will bow to anyone with more experience.