30amp to 30amp adapter?

Terrib972 · 03-19-2015, 06:06 PM

Several years ago during a remodel, my husband had the electricians install an outside 30amp plug for our travel trailer, which I'm not sure he ever tried to use. I now have a new TT and when I tried to plug in, I found that because the plug is a "flat" plug with the cord coming out the side, the outlet is recessed inside the box, the sides of the box prohibit plugging in. I can remove the box every time if I have to. I can also use my 30amp to 15amp adapter and plug in to my regular outside plug. But I was wondering if there exists some sort of pigtail or adapter plug that is 30amp to 30amp. Whenever I search online, the results I get are 30-50 or 30-15.

dmdrj5 · 03-19-2015, 06:22 PM

If the outlet has never been used, it would be a good idea to make sure the electrician wired it correctly. Some electricians are not familiar with rv wiring. They are accustomed to setting up a 30 amp - 240 Volt for households. Your outlet should be 120 Volts.

You may have to use multiple connectors to get the proper setup.

Good luck,
Don

Ddubya · 03-19-2015, 06:23 PM

Most 30 amp RV boxes have a cut out on the bottom to allow the cable to recess into. That allows the plug to mate with the socket without the cable hitting the bottom of the box.
Sounds like the wrong box was installed.

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itat · 03-19-2015, 06:36 PM

If you can, please post a picture so we can see what you've got to deal with.

**Mr. Dan** · 03-19-2015, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itat

If you can, please post a picture so we can see what you've got to deal with.

x2

Terrib972 · 03-19-2015, 07:19 PM

Pictures, as requested.

geotex1 · 03-19-2015, 07:29 PM

Huh... A licensed electrician did that?!? I would recommend you hire another to straighten what is wrong out.

OldCoot · 03-19-2015, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geotex1

Huh... A licensed electrician did that?!? I would recommend you hire another to straighten what is wrong out.

Looks like the normal face plate was replaced with a water resistant cover. Sure doesn't look like it is an outside receptacle.

Kaadk · 03-19-2015, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrib972

Pictures, as requested.

OK, if that's what I had to work with, I'd just turn either the receptacle or the box over. Though, if the receptacle is sideways like that, I'd actually replace the box. Weather boxes like that are meant to be used with the hinge up, not to the side.

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TURBS · 03-19-2015, 07:57 PM

This is what you should have.
This is my 30 amp receptacle.

**Mr. Dan** · 03-19-2015, 08:09 PM

I used something similar to this:

GE 30 Amp Temporary RV Power Outlet-U013P - The Home Depot

itat · 03-19-2015, 09:22 PM

The box for the 30 Amp outlet should be like Turbs'. Replace that box. The other one could use a better weatherproof cover like this one Greenfield Duplex Weatherproof Electrical Outlet Cover Horizontal - Gray-CDRHPS - The Home Depot.

The good news is that if you've already connected to this plug and nothing blew up in your trailer, it's probably wired properly for 120VAC.

geotex1 · 03-19-2015, 09:37 PM

The style TURBS has won't fly in many areas now when the code official is on top of use. What is common is:

Can be plugged in all the time and shrouded from weather.

fast murray · 03-19-2015, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geotex1

The style TURBS has won't fly in many areas now when the code official is on top of use. What is common is:

Can be plugged in all the time and shrouded from weather.

Change it to this one. They don't work so well with the plugs with the handle on them but its not a big deal. The cover just hangs open a little. The electrician did a sloppy job but he did satisfy the NEC requiring outdoor receptacles to have a cover that is closed when in-use. The covers that are open when in use are a code violation for residences.

glen1971 · 03-20-2015, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrib972

Pictures, as requested.

The electrician that installed that must not own an rv or ever seen the cable for one..
It looks like you have the wrong receptacle and box for the size of cable you have... I'd replace with one like Geotex posted.
The cover for that box should be able to be moved to the top side of the box.. I put one of them on for my 15 amp receptacle outside and changed the orientation of the cover easily...
The plug is also installed 180 degrees out to allow the cord to fit through the half moon break-away tab on the right hand side of the cover.. Not to mention that the weight of the cord will probably cause it to want to pull out, even if you can make it work...

bubbles · 03-20-2015, 07:35 AM

Why not make your own jumper cable with straight plugs. It's just a simple pin to pin male to female plug assembly. HD or Lowes will assist you with items needed and what's required. Just a thought.

**KyDan** · 03-20-2015, 08:01 AM

The cost of 2 straight plugs would be close to cost of the correct box.
It's a shame you paid for this. The outlet is wrong orientation and
wrong box/cover. Maybe you can coax the electrician to make the
correct modification for just parts?? He really didn't do it right the 1st time.

Mikegjax · 03-20-2015, 08:03 AM

This is what I installed. It will cover your 30 amp and standard GFI outlet.
Just insure that who ever installs it wires each leg for 110.

Does require some space to install.

GE 100 Amp 2-Space 2-Circuit 240 Volt Unmetered RV Outlet Box with 30 Amp and 20 Amp GCFI Circuit Protected Receptacles-GE1LU032SS - The Home Depot

**Mr. Dan** · 03-20-2015, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

The cost of 2 straight plugs would be close to cost of the correct box.
It's a shame you paid for this. The outlet is wrong orientation and
wrong box/cover. Maybe you can coax the electrician to make the
correct modification for just parts?? He really didn't do it right the 1st time.

I agree with this suggestion.
It's unlikely that you need to buy a huge box with its own breakers. If your current outlets as pictured are on nearby breakers, you don't need another set of inline breakers.

Terrib972 · 03-20-2015, 09:31 AM

Thanks everyone for all the helpful replies. When it stops raining, I'll go back out there and look at the situation again to see what I might do. I'm obviously not an electrician, but I do know how to test an outlet to make sure I've turned off the correct breaker and I've done a few minor things like installing a new thermostat. I also know how to test the voltage so I can verify that the 120v written on the outlet is actually what is wired. I have not yet actually plugged in with the cord attached to the RV so no damage there.

So I want to check and see how difficult it would be to orient the outlet differently along with replacing the boxes. I really don't want to pay an electrician at this point and going back to the original from years ago is unlikely. I guess in the meantime, I can just utilize the 30 to 15 amp adapter and just be careful not to turn on too much stuff. This should be fine just for the purposes of preparing for a trip.

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