30/15 Y Adaptor

[wbarnes]

Hi,

Is there such a thing as a 'Y' Cable adapter that would allow me to connect both my RV 110v/30AMP power cord and a regular 110v/15amp extension cord to the campground's 110v/30Amp Power Pedastal?

Assuming there is such a beast; how would I protect the extension cord wiring from too much power draw? Is it as simple as getting a heavier guage cable that can support up to 30amp but using a Nema 5-15 connectors?

Bill

[Cosmik Debris]

I've never seen one and even wonder about it being a good idea. You could be pulling the combined amps thru a 30 amp outlet, at least momentarily. When I want to plug in a 15 amp outside I just use one of the outside plugins on my RV, if there isn't one at the pedestal.

[Bassdogs]

Why?? Just use the 30a and 20a outlet on the post. They all have them.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Why?? Just use the 30a and 20a outlet on the post. They all have them.

If you camp and travel a lot you will see all manner of power configurations.
I have never seen the adapter you describe but would not want to use it due to protection considerations. Instead as someone suggested, use the outside outlet on the trailer if the cg pedestal does not have a separate 15 or 20 amp receptacle.
I have been in cgs where all that was in the site was a 30a receptacle with the controlling breaker in a nearby box. I always open it and operate the breaker before connecting to it.

[Hohenwald48]

I wouldn't think protection issues would be any different than using a 50/30 adapter.

https://jet.com/product/pdp/5bbd063f...FZQjgQodw7gC1w

I see folks using these all the time.

[hoppers4]

You're right about there being less protection with the 50/30 adapter. The post breaker will no longer trip however you're still covered by the in-house breakers. With a 30/15 Y adapter you would have 30 amp protection on the post and in-house but the 15 amp leg would only have 30 amp post protection. The Y adapter would have to provide 15 amp protection with a fuse or breaker on that leg.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Why?? Just use the 30a and 20a outlet on the post. They all have them.

+1 never been to a CG that did not have both in the pedestal. I used the 20A one last week for the heat tape on the water hose as we froze outside one night.

[etex211]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Why?? Just use the 30a and 20a outlet on the post. They all have them.

And they've got their own breakers, too.

[VicS1950]

Is the intention to power more than 30 amps total by using the added extension cord? If yes, then you will still be limited to 30 amps even if you manage to procure an adapter as described in the original posting.

I agree with the recommendations to use the pedestal 30 amp receptacle for the trailer and the 20 amp duplex pedestal receptacle for the extension cord. That will give you more total capacity. It is common for a pedestal to have at least one 15 or 20 amp convenience receptacle. That receptacle is separate from the 30 amp or 50 amp receptacle.

Using the duplex receptacle will also provide GFCI protection for the extension cord. A cord plugged into an adapter using the 30 amp receptacle as a source will not be GFCI protected. Very few pedestal 30 amp receptacles are provided with GFCI protection. That makes the extension cord use less safe. That is especially true during wet weather conditions.

FWIW. vic

[Cosmik Debris]

A 50/30 adapter is just that, an adapter, with no intention of using both. The OP seems to want to also run 20 amp as well, but from ac30 amp outlet. Plug in to 30 amp and plug that othervitem ino an available outlet, on pedestal or RV.
Interesting and new question though.

[Hohenwald48]

I don't know. Plugging a 15 amp cord into a 30 amp outlet sounds a lot like plugging a 30 amp cord into 50 amp outlet to me. But maybe not.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by Hohenwald48

I don't know. Plugging a 15 amp cord into a 30 amp outlet sounds a lot like plugging a 30 amp cord into 50 amp outlet to me. But maybe not.

I use a 50/30 dog bone at the 5W, a 30 amp extension cord, to a 30/20 dog bone to a storage building for power when not camping. Runs everything inside except A/C and batteries are always full.

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by Hohenwald48

I don't know. Plugging a 15 amp cord into a 30 amp outlet sounds a lot like plugging a 30 amp cord into 50 amp outlet to me. But maybe not.

Not the same at all.

Plugging a 30 amp Travel Trailer into a 50 amp supply is safe. The modern TT power panel has a 30 amp main breaker. That means that the 30 amp cord to the TT can never be overloaded.

In power distribution there is a 10 foot tap rule for supplying power off a distribution bus. That rule allows a tap which is not sized for the main bus overcurrent protection to be used to supply a switch or breaker which has proper level of protection. The theory being that the tap conductors cannot be overloaded. I look at a 50 to 30 amp adapter for a TT with main breaker protection as being a similar situation.


Plugging an unprotected 30 amp cord into a 50 amp supply (not a TT situation) does have the danger of possible overload on the 30 amp rated cord. The 50 amp breaker would protect the 30 amp cord in the event of a dead short, but could allow long time overcurrent to overheat the cord.

A 15 amp cord fed by a 30 amp adapter does not have proper overcurrent protection. The small cord can easily be overloaded. The 30 amp protection allows 100% overload on the 15 amp cord. It also lacks GFCI protection as I mentioned in my previous post.

FWIW vic

[cekkk]

Do you want to do this for extra power in the trailer? For extended stays in the camper I ran a heavy extension from the post's duplex receptical along side the 30 amp cord right into the camper. DW wasn't happy with the the damage to her Feng Shui, (a lie) but did appreciate being able to run the toaster oven without worrying about the AC or microwave.

[norty1]

I have never seen what you describe available commercially. That may tell you something!

[mike837go]

Let's see having 30A available to a cord that will fail when more than 15A is passed through it?


I'd say do not purchase nor build anything like it!


Besides, when the RV is plugged into the 30A pedestal, there are 15A sockets on the outside of the RV. Use one of them and you'll have the 15A breaker protecting the extension cord. Let's be safe out there.

[norty1]

That's what a number of us are saying. Its dangerous, don't do it!