30 amp/50 amp connectors

crownobn · 05-04-2009, 01:47 PM

Are 30 amp and 50 amp connections the same pin configuration. I have a small Surveyor with 30 amp power cable but I noticed that may campgrounds offer 50 amp service. Can I plug my 30 amp connector into a 50 amp service box or do I need another adapter? Is it safe to plug into 50 amp? I assume that my power converter circuit breakers will protect me, true?

MtnGuy · 05-04-2009, 03:05 PM

I think most campgrounds that offer 50 amp service, will also have a 30 amp service in the same box. If not, you can get a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter at many camping supply stores, or check with your local RV dealer.

I also carry a 20 amp to 30 amp adapter....just in case, as well as a 30 amp to 20 amp adpater so I can check polarity with a 20 amp plug-in check lite. And wonder why I have so many parts ??

rafcar · 05-04-2009, 03:06 PM

As far as I know there is an adapter that you can buy that will allow you to plug into a 50amp circuit. I am pretty sure I bought one when we purchased our TT, but I've never had to use it.

**KyDan** · 05-04-2009, 08:21 PM

I'm pretty sure I saw a 50-30 amp adapter today at WalMart.
I was there looking for a new water hose regulator. They had a peg
for the reg but it was empty ;-(
Check the RV section which is usually near the oil and filters.

cfsoistman · 05-04-2009, 08:49 PM

I'd recommend the type with about a foot of cable between the ends so you can close the breaker box door at the campsite.

signal12 · 07-01-2009, 08:55 PM

I was just asking this same question myself. It seems some campgrounds have all 50A sites. I have to do some shopping.

uhcrewdog · 07-02-2009, 02:21 AM

Hmm not an electrician but if be weary of plugging a 30 amp cable into a 50 amp box. I have a 50 amp cable on my Tt so I know there are connecters to go from 30 amps to 50 amps but my trailer is rated for the 50 amps so I know 30 amps won't overload it I wonder if plugging a 30 amp into the 50 amp will damage components....

cat1956 · 07-02-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhcrewdog

Hmm not an electrician but if be weary of plugging a 30 amp cable into a 50 amp box. I have a 50 amp cable on my Tt so I know there are connecters to go from 30 amps to 50 amps but my trailer is rated for the 50 amps so I know 30 amps won't overload it I wonder if plugging a 30 amp into the 50 amp will damage components....

No need to be weary.Thats why every thing in your RV has it's on fuse or breaker.

dlstewart01 · 07-02-2009, 12:23 PM

Its the same voltage. You will not pull more amps than your appliances were designed for. There is just more available for the larger campers.

**KyDan** · 07-02-2009, 01:45 PM

I've never seen a box with a 50 Amp outlet that did not also
have a 30 Amp and a normal duplex 20 Amp outlet as well.
I suppose there might be boxes with just a 50 amp but I have
yet to encounter one.

You cannot damage your trailer by plugging a 30 amp into a 50
amp with the proper adapter. Your trailer will draw the required
amps. Sometimes it will be drawing only 1 or 2 amps!!

BUT if you manage to get plugged into a 220V outlet when your
trailer is wired for 120v -as most are- you will fry lots of expen$ive
$tuff.
220 volt outlet boxes are rare but they are out there. Usually for
full timers?

MtnGuy · 07-02-2009, 03:23 PM

Be careful out there, as some 30 amp outside circuits are not GFI protected. We recently camped at a Maryland campground, and I pushed the button on my polarity tester to trip the GFI, and nothing happened. I looked at the breaker, and it was not a GFI. The 20 amp in the same box was GFI protected. With what I paid for a 30 amp GFI at home (~$80), I guess the campgrounds are taking a chance and figure it might be cheaper to pay for 1 electricution than to pay $8000 for 100 30 amp GFI breakers.

hoody · 07-28-2009, 10:04 PM

walmart has the adapter cable for 50 amp 220 volts to 30 amps 120 volt .they only use one side of the 220 it has 4 pins for 50 and 3 pins for 30 amp.

DIAPHUS · 03-19-2011, 11:31 AM

Using a cheater connector that will allow you to plug an RV wired for 30 A into a 50A service is a VERY BAD IDEA! Your RV is wired using wires designed for no more than 30A. The wiring on your RV between the connector on the side of the RV and the service box( where the breakers are), will be unprotected. If those wires short then they will destroy themselves protecting the 50A breaker.
If you want to plug a 30A RV into a 50A service then have an electrician build you a whip with a box containing a 30A breaker to go between the 50A service and your RV. Then your RV is protected as it should be.

I know I am a day late and a dollar short here, but I hope this will protect someone from having a very bad day on the road.

**KyDan** · 03-20-2011, 06:17 AM

Your post is correct in theory but the reality is lots of
folks use 30 to 50 amp adapters on their 30 amp
trailers and are just fine.

Paying an electrician to build a 50 AMP capacity pig tail
that will then be used on an 30 amp trailer is expensive
for very little gain.

37 years industrial electrical maintenance under my belt
and if I need to plug into a 50 amp pole I will just
use my 30 to 50 adapter plug from WallyWorld and my
existing 30 amp trailer cord.

jsk · 03-20-2011, 08:04 AM

[QUOTE=KyDan;89784]Your post is correct in theory but the reality is lots of
folks use 30 to 50 amp adapters on their 30 amp
trailers and are just fine.

I have a dedicated 50a (220 volts) service used for welding. Our rv is a 30a service. What would be my best option to use the 50a service and not cause damage to the rv? Thanks

**KyDan** · 03-20-2011, 09:27 AM

I can not tell you the answer to that.
We're discussing the use of RV 50 to 30 amp adapters
that will be plugged into a correctly wired
RV power post as found in a campground.

What does your welding receptacle look like??
Take a picture and post it here and we'll try
to go from there.

Do you have a RV 50 to 30 amp adapter now???
Will it fit your welding receptacle??
Do you have a volt/ohm meter to test the output
on the trailer side of the adapter??

Do NOT plug your trailer into a welding receptacle
until you have checked and verified correct voltage
on the correct pins of any adapter you use.

Keep in mind any advice you get from me might be
worth exactly what you paid for it.

jsk · 03-20-2011, 11:33 AM

Thanks for the reply. After doing some more reading, I think I will stick to my original plan and run a 30a service with a receptacle that fits my unit. This should eliminate any problems. Until then I will plug in to a 110 while at home.

rracer5 · 03-20-2011, 04:16 PM

Encountered a situation at a Myrtle Beach campground last July. The 30 amp breaker on THEIR BOX kept tripping under load of AC etc during the heat of the day. Got out my 50 to 30 amp adaptor and plugged into their 50 amp receptical in the same box. No more issues and stayed cool the rest of our stay.

I can only assume that their breaker was getting weak from age and constantly turning it off and on when RV'ers hook up and unhook.

As for the post above about GFI recepticles at the campgrounds, I can add this from experience. I have a 20 amp GFI recepticle in my garage that I plugged the trailer into when I bring it home to start the fridge & load and get ready to head out. I kept tripping the GFI recepticle in my garage. I found out from an electrician friend that you CAN'T plug 2 GFCI's into each other. It may work for awhile but one of them will trip under certain load conditions (I never did take the time to figure out what). I just plugged into a non-GFI circuit when at home.

Happy Camping !!!!!

jsk · 03-20-2011, 06:28 PM

[QUOTE=rracer5;89912]Encountered a situation at a Myrtle Beach campground last July. The 30 amp breaker on THEIR BOX kept tripping under load of AC etc during the heat of the day.

We may have been at the same place because the same thing was happening to us in MB the first week in July. We thought it was our site until we talked to others around us and realized it was 2 rows of sites that were loosing power. It sure was hot there for a while - especially with little wind off the ocean.

rracer5 · 03-20-2011, 09:38 PM

[QUOTE=jsk;89936]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rracer5

Encountered a situation at a Myrtle Beach campground last July. The 30 amp breaker on THEIR BOX kept tripping under load of AC etc during the heat of the day.

We may have been at the same place because the same thing was happening to us in MB the first week in July. We thought it was our site until we talked to others around us and realized it was 2 rows of sites that were loosing power. It sure was hot there for a while - especially with little wind off the ocean.

We were at Briarcliffe Resort July 16 - 26 and yes, very hot.

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