Dog bone adapter vs. adapter plug

[MNtraveler]

At the risk of starting a range war...

To use a 50 amp campground pedestal (if that's all that's available, or all that is a available for a "good" site) for a 30 amp connection, is there a reason to use a dog bone 50 to 30 adapter rather than a 50 to 30 adapter plug like this (other than pure price)?

Progressive Industries RV 30-50 Adapter

In particular, I'm wondering if the adapter plus the 30 amp plug (which would be the PI EMS-PT30C) would be too much volume to fit in a typical pedestal box. Whereas the dog bone moves the 2nd connection outside the box.

Thanks for your thoughts!


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[davel1971]

if your only needing a 30 amp connection, you have no need for the cheater box. That's to get 50 amps when there isn't a 50 amp plug available

[wana65stang]

MNtraveler I have not see ( not yet anyways) a ped. where the surge with a adapter would not fit in, I have a dog bone but I think I will be looking into one of the adapters , nice and compact. And by the way I have the same surge as you.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by davel1971

if your only needing a 30 amp connection, you have no need for the cheater box. That's to get 50 amps when there isn't a 50 amp plug available

I really wasn't asking about a cheater box. I was asking about a dog bone adapter vs an adapter plug without the cable portion (see linked photo). Thanks.


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

MNtraveler I have not see ( not yet anyways) a ped. where the surge with a adapter would not fit in, I have a dog bone but I think I will be looking into one of the adapters , nice and compact. And by the way I have the same surge as you.

Thank you.


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[wana65stang]

No, thank- you for showing the adapter , I have never really looked for one before. I like it

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

I really wasn't asking about a cheater box. I was asking about a dog bone adapter vs an adapter plug without the cable portion (see linked photo). Thanks.


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

the link took me to the cheater box at first. That's why I responded as I did. You must have edited link. Shows adapter now.

[aufinger]

"Progressive Industries 30-50 and 50-30 adapters provide superior durability and heat resistance over "dog bone" type adapters. Unlike “dog-bone” type adapters, no cable is used, therefore eliminating cable separation. Made of high heat, impact-resistant plastic and heavy-duty highly conductive metal contacts. This adapter greatly improves heat and dissipation and conductivity. With a solid ground pin, ground connection is improved for added safety, while the molded-in-finger grips makes disconnecting easier."

The product description (copied above) indicates an adapter is better than a dog bone type adapter. Is that just sales hype or is there something to it?

Larry G.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by davel1971

the link took me to the cheater box at first. That's why I responded as I did. You must have edited link. Shows adapter now.

Ah yes, you are quite right. I corrected as soon as it posted with the wrong link, so you must have replied quickly. Thank you!


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by aufinger

"Progressive Industries 30-50 and 50-30 adapters provide superior durability and heat resistance over "dog bone" type adapters. Unlike “dog-bone” type adapters, no cable is used, therefore eliminating cable separation. Made of high heat, impact-resistant plastic and heavy-duty highly conductive metal contacts. This adapter greatly improves heat and dissipation and conductivity. With a solid ground pin, ground connection is improved for added safety, while the molded-in-finger grips makes disconnecting easier."

The product description (copied above) indicates an adapter is better than a dog bone type adapter. Is that just sales hype or is there something to it?

Larry G.

I would be even more impressed if the greatly reduced use of materials including wiring were better reflected in the price. 😅

That said, it is smaller and lighter. Possibly easier to misplace or leave behind. (Stuck in the d@^n box!)



Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[emm-dee]

Shouldn't this type item be readily available? Can't find it on Amazon (and don't use eBay)

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Shouldn't this type item be readily available? Can't find it on Amazon (and don't use eBay)

The linked item is an example. It is available from multiple sources and manufacturers.


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[Oaklevel]

Might be OK since it is from progressive industries. I do know I have had issues with the small cheap "pucktype" 30A to 110V melting. I have never had issues with a quality dog bone type. I assume the heat build up in certain cases due to the connections being so close together can be an issue. Although I have never seen a 30A to 50A puck style. I use the bog bone type all the time in the summer as our camper now has two 30A style hookups. I use both the campground 30A and 50A plugs. But that is so I can run 2 ACs on a 30A trailer.

Maybe someone else will chime in but the biggest potential issue I see is two connections with a couple of inches of each other could be problematic. Heat build up? Personally I would not use one but I again know no one that has used one.

[Bama Rambler]

I'd have to say that it's no better, and possibly a little worse than a dogbone adapter. I say possibly worse because all connections generate some heat above the heat generated by the conductors, so with the adapter, you have two connections in close proximity of each other. With the dogbone they're at least spread apart a little.

In my opinion, the current configuration of both should be illegal. Both still use a 50 amp breaker to protect a 30 amp conductor. Ideally a 50 amp to 30 amp dogbone would have a 30 amp breaker inline. However, thousands of them have been used and I haven't heard of them causing a real problem.

[AquaMan]

I see it as a "possibly" being worse in certain situations, where the outlet is worn slightly and the added length of the plug creates leverage against the outlet wanting to pull the plug free. Also, I have an extension cord that has a handle on the plug, making the length of the plug that much more to where the lid may not fold down all the way, possibly allowing wind to blow the lid up and and beat down on the plug. I say possibly in each situation. I like the dogbones.

[conceptumator]

Only issue with the plug adapter is if the adapter with the shore cord plugged in sticks out too far to close the breaker box lid. Usually not an issue either way. I would suggest spending a little more for the PI brand adapter as some of the others are lesser quality. The one I used to have was sort of loose connecting to the cord, overheated and fused the end of my shore power to the adapter. Had to cutt He adapter apart to get it loose.

[hillsdaletc]

If your looking for a good connection without a lot of heat buildup, the dog bone is what you want. If you try them both , you will see the most adapter only plugs do not let the cable hang straight down whereas the dog one hangs straight and does not pull on the outlet at an angle.

[Wolverine 1945]

If you care,,, Wally World sells a 30 to 50 amp adaptor for about half that price !!!

[silverback 35ts]

Always always only use a dog bone style as the adapter plugs have a very bad habit of going up in flames!!
Hope this helps Happy Camping

[MNtraveler]

Thanks for all the comments. I'm going with the dog bone for the heat/safety issue and because when I plug my surge protector/EMS into a 15 amp adaptor and let it hang down, the weight of the EMS pulls the adaptor out of the socket. I need a very solid connection in each spot.


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R