30 amp to 50 amp

rblack22 · 05-30-2016, 07:37 AM

I've read several existing threads and cannot find exactly what I'm looking for, so please bare with me.

The CG I've been staying at in The Keys during the end of June is slowly replacing electrical. For the past couple years the space I stay in is not replaced. My TH has 30 amp service, when it's crowded and the weather is obviously quite hot, the AC can pop the breaker or even a griddle outside. During my initial walk around, the guy told me he always use his 30-50 adaptor to plug into 50 amp service especially when the CG is busy to prevent circuit breakers popping. I always resisted this, out of my fear of electricity, but finally did it on a final day on the last trip. Scariest thing was when I was at the local hardware store purchasing the adaptor plug, there was an electrician, still em wearing his work shirt, who saw my purchase and said "oh, I wouldn't do that" after I explained my goal. Can anyone here give me a definite yay or nay on the 30-50 amp adaptor use. Pretty please, end of June is coming up quickly.

youroo · 05-30-2016, 07:49 AM

After reading Many Post's and you are still Unclear,what will another Opinion Help? Are you using any Protection?

Youroo!!

rblack22 · 05-30-2016, 08:08 AM

I meant that I don't see where it's a good or bad idea to use this adaptor, and yes I have a surge protector I use religiously. Don't need any unwanted Amps running around giving me headaches.

Iwannacamp · 05-30-2016, 08:09 AM

I posted this one time before and got backlash...
I have a Progressive Industries EMS(had on a 30amp 5er) and had a warranty issue. While talking to the tech from PI he told me to always use the 50 amp plug(with adapter) when applicable, because it was cleaner power. FWIW

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mxdad · 05-30-2016, 08:15 AM

I use a 30-50A adapter for my 26RR when it's at my house, and I have never had an issue using it....even when running the AC and the Microwave. I have also used it at various campgrounds, and no problems there either. Just make sure that you don't connect it under load, and you should be good.

A 50A hookup is actually 110V/50A x2, and a 30A is 110V/30A x1, so a good adapter will have the conductors that can carry that much current.

**Mr. Dan** · 05-30-2016, 08:16 AM

Just do it!

DSMURPHY · 05-30-2016, 08:28 AM

I always use my 30-50 adapter when 50A is available. Never had a problem.

rblack22 · 05-30-2016, 08:36 AM

Very nice, thanks y'all. I just sighed a heavy relief. S'what I had mostly heard from the few campers I had asked, but that electrician threw my confidence, 50 Amps it is.

doc73 · 05-30-2016, 08:38 AM

I am no electrician... Nor am I trying to put them all down... But, considering the threads if fried stuff after having the plug "professionally" installed.. half of them cannot even wire a 50amp rv plug correctly... So I would not sweat it.

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elrand · 05-30-2016, 08:47 AM

It's fine to use the 50 to 30 adapter. Your main inside your trailer is rated for 30 amps so that's all it will allow to flow. so everything inside your trailer is still protected and you said you had a surge protector so that will take care of any spikes that may come down the line.

Speaking as an electrician. The guy you meet in the store might not of understood that this is a common safe practice since our rigs have an additional breaker inside that will protect our trailer

Yes you are safe with this practice

DaveSchwartz · 05-30-2016, 08:59 AM

I know this is

but just because the connection is "50 amps" doesn't mean that the circuit will try to force 50 amps into your camper, it just means that your camper can draw a maximum of 50 amps from the circuit, if you have enough things turned on to require it. However, if your camper has a 30 amp panel, the input is fed through a 30 amp breaker which means you will trip your own panel's main breaker 20 amps before you would trip the power post's breaker. Its the same thing as there being absolutely no problem that you have 15 amp breakers on your house circuits and a 200 amp breaker feeding the main to the panel (and the sum of the branch circuit breakers in your house add up to way more than the main breaker, just like in your RV).

Possibly one reason the 50 amp connection works better than the 30 amp in hot whether is that breakers have a temperature-sensitive (bi-metallic strip) trip mechanism. The current flows through the strip so it is always generating a little heat and bending just a little. When high current generates too much heat the bend gets too great and it releases a spring mechanism to open the contacts. Unlike the main breaker in your RV, the breaker in the power pole has a starting bias of heat (and thus, bend) due to the outdoor temperature. If its in full sun inside that metal post its even hotter, so the temperature rise due to the current adding to the initial bias could push it over the limit with well below 30 amps flowing.

Paul GA · 05-30-2016, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveSchwartz

I know this is

but just because the connection is "50 amps" doesn't mean that the circuit will try to force 50 amps into your camper, it just means that your camper can draw a maximum of 50 amps from the circuit, if you have enough things turned on to require it. However, if your camper has a 30 amp panel, the input is fed through a 30 amp breaker which means you will trip your own panel's main breaker 20 amps before you would trip the power post's breaker. Its the same thing as there being absolutely no problem that you have 15 amp breakers on your house circuits and a 200 amp breaker feeding the main to the panel (and the sum of the branch circuit breakers in your house add up to way more than the main breaker, just like in your RV).

The difference between branch circuits in your home and this is on your camper you have 30amp rated 10 gauge wire after the 50amp breaker. What's after your 200amp main in your home? A 200amp rated buss bar feeding the branch circuit breakers.

aceinspp · 05-30-2016, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Just do it!

X 2 Later RJD

nephi007 · 05-30-2016, 11:03 AM

So i have a Progresssive Industries SSP-30X Smart Surge Protector Q: If I use a 39 to 50 amp adaptor do I now need a 50 amp PI Surge Protector?

nephi007 · 05-30-2016, 11:03 AM

Oops I meant 30 amp not 39

philobeddoe · 05-30-2016, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rblack22

I've read several existing threads and cannot find exactly what I'm looking for, so please bare with me.

The CG I've been staying at in The Keys during the end of June is slowly replacing electrical. For the past couple years the space I stay in is not replaced. My TH has 30 amp service, when it's crowded and the weather is obviously quite hot, the AC can pop the breaker or even a griddle outside. During my initial walk around, the guy told me he always use his 30-50 adaptor to plug into 50 amp service especially when the CG is busy to prevent circuit breakers popping. I always resisted this, out of my fear of electricity, but finally did it on a final day on the last trip. Scariest thing was when I was at the local hardware store purchasing the adaptor plug, there was an electrician, still em wearing his work shirt, who saw my purchase and said "oh, I wouldn't do that" after I explained my goal. Can anyone here give me a definite yay or nay on the 30-50 amp adaptor use. Pretty please, end of June is coming up quickly.

I was fighting the same issue on our 30 amp, older Cedar Creek 30rlbs. 30 amps doesn't do much in 100 degree heat, you really have to manage your electrical load. I replaced the 30 amp breaker in the inside breaker box with a brand new one, just for integrities sake. Then I ordered an open ended 50 amp power cord. I also ordered a 30 amp female plug and weather boot to mate to the trailer. I then put the 30 amp female on the open end of the 50 amp cord and now I'm operating on a heavier gauge wire than previous with my 30 amp power cord. So far, it seems to carry the load better. 30 amps is still 30 amps but I like having heavier gauge wire running the trailer.

HappyGuy · 05-30-2016, 11:40 AM

Larger gauge wire = less resistance and less heat at a given amperage. Ohms law at its best. I did the same swap with a 30 amp cable and 15 amp connectors to run my garage air compressor off of a 15 amp circuit. Worked like a charm. Dropped to surge draw from my air compressor at start up from 12 amps to 9 amps.

I have no qualms hooking to a 50 Amp circuit but I also run a progressive industries unit because I'm paranoid that way.

It's unrelated to this thread but the delayed startup introduced by this unit also helped my generator on startup, allowing it to spin up before it gets hit with a load from my AC. My rig has been much happier electrically overall since the add on and the peace of mind is priceless.

jayr2 · 05-30-2016, 01:07 PM

Maybe I am missing something but I thought the 50Amp adapter was for 50 amp Rvs to hookup to 30 amp boxes. I think the gentleman said he had a 30 amp rv. Am I wrong?

**wmtire** · 05-30-2016, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayr2

Maybe I am missing something but I thought the 50Amp adapter was for 50 amp Rvs to hookup to 30 amp boxes. I think the gentleman said he had a 30 amp rv. Am I wrong?

They make adapters to go both ways. The 50 amp male to 30 amp female adapter just terminates the L2 leg inside the adapter so there is no second 120 volt leg (L2), which a 30 amp RV doesn't need.

http://www.rvpartscountry.com/12-Ada...FVYdgQodsToKMg

The 30 amp male to 50 amp female jumps the L1 leg over onto the L2 side, to provide power to both legs inside a 50 amp RV, albeit you are limited to 30 amps total power between both legs.

**Mr. Dan** · 05-30-2016, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayr2

Maybe I am missing something but I thought the 50Amp adapter was for 50 amp Rvs to hookup to 30 amp boxes. I think the gentleman said he had a 30 amp rv. Am I wrong?

You may be missing the fact that adapters are available to go both ways... 50->30 and 30->50.

Oops... wmtire beat me!

Sent (I think)

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