Stupid Question - is 30amp always offered on a 50amp site?

[MillerTime]

I know there were some links, but the adapters are only about $15-20 at walmart and other stores- at least around here.
Heck I saw some for $12 at a local tool store that were the same as walmarts- I wanted to buy a couple extra of each, but didnt....but still thinkin bout it though.

oops. forgot to check mark that stupid box again!

[mark0224]

Truthfully after reading all the posts I don't think it was a stupid question and after reading all the posts would say no if it says 50 amp don't count on 30 amp also. Some of the pictures of pedestals that were seen , did seem to have 15 amp with both 30 and 50 amp. This would not run AC but will run everything else. Ck the breakers they could be 20 amp outlets either way you can plug into them with an adapter safely.

[ependydad]

I agree, not stupid at all! Plus- you never know if you don't ask.

[Oakman]

A few years back we stayed at Flagg Ranch RV park which is located between Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP in Wyoming. All of their sites were 20 amp only. I have read that they are finally upgrading their electric but I don't know if that is a fact or not.

BTW, after opening the electric box it took me a bit to figure out where that 20 amp outlet was located. Here's a pic.

[Truth B Towed]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

I remember a post about how they arrive at the 50 amp service...or at least residential 50 amp. They use one side as L1 120v 20-30 amps then L2 as 120v 20-30 amps to get the total of 45-55 amps 120v split from a 220v service... I was like what ?? I can do basic electric and am fairly confident about all home psrojects, but I wasn't clear on this deal. I know that you have 2-120v legs, 1 neutral and one earth gound. They were splitting a 50 amp RV site to (2) 30 amps with a cord and running two connectors inside the RV. I am good on most of that until they mentioned the actual pole being 220v and "the RV" connector split the service. I was like "what". I decided i would have to research... classified as "something else to worry about"

Huh? english please... adapters is a must for first time TT buyers, you never know when you will need one.

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

To add another scenario to the need for a 50 to 30 adapter. I once arrived at a campground where the shared a pole for every two sites. The pole had a 30A and a 50A. When I pulled in the other site was already occupied and that guy was plugged into the 30A. If I didn't have an adapter with me, I would have been S.O.L. on having power.

May I add one more? We camped at an older RV park and my 30A pole breaker was, to use a techical term, "tired." It kept tripping when Penny plugged in her hair curlers. My on-board breakers never trip under these conditions. The adaptor allowed me to tap into the 50A, whose breaker hadn't had as much use.

Teach

[rowdydog77]

I have a 30 amp trailer, if I plug into a 50 amp breaker using an adapter won't I be getting 220v? Aren't all 50 amp breakers 220v?

[Hudlow]

In a case like this I would want my own adapter.

I don't trust loaners - especially when it comes to electrical matters and my stuff.

hud

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by rowdydog77

I have a 30 amp trailer, if I plug into a 50 amp breaker using an adapter won't I be getting 220v? Aren't all 50 amp breakers 220v?

In simple terms, a 240 volt service consists of 2 out of phase 120 volt legs. You commonly call each 120 volt leg , L1 and L2.

You only get 240 volts when you combine the L1 and L2 legs. If they are kept separate, then each leg is only 120 volts.

A 50 amp RV, normally utlilizes each leg separate. The RV electrical panel uses L1 to power certain things, and uses L2 to power other things................never combining the two legs to get 240 volt power.

When you use an adapter, it only takes one leg (either the L1 or L2 but not both from the pedestal) and provides 120 volt to your 30 amp trailer..............and doesn't combine them to get 240 volts since it's only actually using one leg.

On the opposite spectrum, you can use a different kind of adapter that let's a 50 amp RV plug into a 30 amp outlet. This adapter shares the 30 amp 120 volt to both the L1 and L2 sides of the RV. However you are limited to 30 amps total power when connecting to a 30 amp outlet, instead of the 100 amps normally available. (50 amps per leg X 2)

This site may help explain it better.

http://www.rvcruzer.com/electrical/chapter3.php

[Hudlow]

(good explanation wmtire, you got there before I did)

[jevanb]

here is everything you need to know about a RV electrical system power requirements...RV Electrical Systems

[rowdydog77]

Thank you wmtire.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Hudlow

In a case like this I would want my own adapter.

I don't trust loaners - especially when it comes to electrical matters and my stuff.

hud

X2, and excellent advice. You never know what the guy before you may have done.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Hudlow

(good explanation wmtire, you got there before I did)

Agreed, it was a good answer. Mine was that the adapters are magical and handle it for you!