Surge Protector question

[tonyz1]

I am going to order a 50amp surge protector for our Flagstaff camper, which has a 50amp service. But we often have to use 30amp at many campgrounds and at our river lot where the camper stays when not traveling. I have a 30amp cord that I use instead of dragging out that heavy 50amp when not needed. So I'm wondering if I can just plug in the 30 cord into the 50amp surge protector via a short pigtail adaptor? My mind says it would be working on one side of the protector and be ok, but I'm no electrician. Appreciate any help on the subject.

[Flybob]

Yes you will be fine.

[Wiscampsin]

Our 5th wheel is 50 Amp and sits on a 30 Amp seasonal site. We use a 30 Amp Progressive Industrial EMS ->30/50 dogbone -> 50 Amp cord running to camper. Never had a problem.

[tonyz1]

Thanks Flybob. And also thanks Wiscampsin- I just realized that I was not thinking correctly and will have to have the 30 amp surge protector to plug into shore power at our seasonal site and campgrounds. Don't know how I got that mixed up! Anyway, looks like we might need both sizes of surge protectors so we can plug into either a 50amp or 30amp pedestal. Don't see any other way. Thanks again.

[Flybob]

Why not use the 30A--> 50A dog bone then 50A EMS and 50A RV cable.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by tonyz1

Thanks Flybob. And also thanks Wiscampsin- I just realized that I was not thinking correctly and will have to have the 30 amp surge protector to plug into shore power at our seasonal site and campgrounds. Don't know how I got that mixed up! Anyway, looks like we might need both sizes of surge protectors so we can plug into either a 50amp or 30amp pedestal. Don't see any other way. Thanks again.

You can get a 30amp to 50amp dogbone. You will be limited to 30amp from the pedestal so you will have to manage usage. Inside the dogbone the hot wire will be connected to both L1 and L2, with neutral and ground as usual.

You don't need both 30amp and 50amp protectors. Get a Progressive Industries EMS 50amp and you will be protected the best way.

[tonyz1]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Why not use the 30A--> 50A dog bone then 50A EMS and 50A RV cable.

Thanks again Flybob and Scrapper, looks like the 30A->50A dogbone with the 50A EMS is the way we'll have to go. Just looking for a way to use both the 30A and 50A cords with one EMS. We've been camping for years in about 6 different campers and really had never even thought about surge protection, so guess I've got a little learning curve here.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by tonyz1

Thanks again Flybob and Scrapper, looks like the 30A->50A dogbone with the 50A EMS is the way we'll have to go. Just looking for a way to use both the 30A and 50A cords with one EMS. We've been camping for years in about 6 different campers and really had never even thought about surge protection, so guess I've got a little learning curve here.

Just offering another option...
Have you considered getting a hardwired 50 amp? Wire it in right before the power distribution box in your trailer and find a good spot for the remote display. There is likely plenty of room behind the panel. Then what ever connection you make outside will be just fine.

[tonyz1]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

Just offering another option...

Have you considered getting a hardwired 50 amp? Wire it in right before the power distribution box in your trailer and find a good spot for the remote display. There is likely plenty of room behind the panel. Then what ever connection you make outside will be just fine.

I'll have to look into the hard wired EMS, never really checked them out. That might be a good option, and I wouldn't have to worry about which cord I used outside. I'll have to nose around my power distribution box to see what kind of room I have. It's a new camper and haven't got into its "innards" very much yet, but I most assuredly will be into everything before I move on to the next camper (if ever do). Thanks again.

[SailorSam20500]

Just FWIW,

My power center is mounted under my fridge. Unscrewed it from the "woodwork" and was able to slide it out while still attached (all power was off!). There was lots of room behind it (and a rats nest of wires). To install the EMS, I pulled the wires from the main breakers in the power center and tied them into the EMS. I bought a short length of 10 gage wire to run from the EMS back to the main breakers.

[tonyz1]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

Just FWIW,



My power center is mounted under my fridge. Unscrewed it from the "woodwork" and was able to slide it out while still attached (all power was off!). There was lots of room behind it (and a rats nest of wires). To install the EMS, I pulled the wires from the main breakers in the power center and tied them into the EMS. I bought a short length of 10 gage wire to run from the EMS back to the main breakers.

Thanks SailorSam. Mine is in the 45 angle short wall going from hall to kitchen in my 29KSWS. Which makes the unit into the bottom back half of the bath vanity. Don't know how much room there will be in there but will check it out. Like I said earlier, never worried about it before but have heard a couple horror stories lately. Got me to worrying about all the modern electronics and such in these new campers and decided I'd better check into it. Lot of choices to look at. Thanks again.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by tonyz1

Thanks again Flybob and Scrapper, looks like the 30A->50A dogbone with the 50A EMS is the way we'll have to go. Just looking for a way to use both the 30A and 50A cords with one EMS. We've been camping for years in about 6 different campers and really had never even thought about surge protection, so guess I've got a little learning curve here.

You don't need both 30A and 50A cords. The 30A to 50A dogbone will connect to the 30amp pedestal, your 50amp EMS will connect to the 50A side of the dogbone and 50A cord will into the 50A EMS then plug into your RV as usual. Even if you use the EMS hardwired your 50A cord will plug into the 50A side of the dogbone.

Look at these pictures. The first one (30A to 50A) is the only thing you need. The second is for using a 50amp pedestal for a 30A RV.

[tonyz1]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

You don't need both 30A and 50A cords. The 30A to 50A dogbone will connect to the 30amp pedestal, your 50amp EMS will connect to the 50A side of the dogbone and 50A cord will into the 50A EMS then plug into your RV as usual. Even if you use the EMS hardwired your 50A cord will plug into the 50A side of the dogbone.

Look at these pictures. The first one (30A to 50A) is the only thing you need. The second is for using a 50amp pedestal for a 30A RV.

Thanks Scrapper
That is the one solution that I will probably end up going with. I will have to get the first dogbone ,30->50amp, when
I order my EMS. I should have written-- So I can use "either" the 30A or the 50A cord. Trying to use just the smaller cord when possible and not drag out that heavy 50A. I all ready have the second dogbone pictured, 50->30A that was used in previous 30A camper, and wondering if I could use it coming out of EMS to use the smaller cord? I know that would be 2 dog bones in the service line and probably pushing my luck but just my mind wondering! Thanks again.