50 amp for 30a trailer

[yakmeat123]

We are heading to a park that has a 50 amp at the site we have. Will an adapter be sufficient? Are there any risks to my 30 amp cord, trailer, connections, or any fuses?

[Reverse_snowbird]

You should be ok although I'd recommend a 30 amp surge protector as a minimum if you don't have one.

[A32Deuce]

None. Do it all the time. Usually the 50 plugins tighter then the 30 plug. Also noticed that in a crowded CGs, not always getting 120volts.

[5picker]

The only caveat in doing this is the argument of the 30a shore cord being protected by a 50a breaker at the pedestal.

It would likely take something catastrophic to sever the cord and short out.

It can't be damaged by over current as you are limited by the camper's 30a distribution box and breaker so it would take something way out of the ordinary for the cord to fail.

I use a 50a to 30a adapter whenever I can. As mentioned, a much better connection point.

[Rookiewood]

Be carefull not to use more than the 30amps at the same time.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by 5picker

The only caveat in doing this is the argument of the 30a shore cord being protected by a 50a breaker at the pedestal.

It would likely take something catastrophic to sever the cord and short out.

It can't be damaged by over current as you are limited by the camper's 30a distribution box and breaker so it would take something way out of the ordinary for the cord to fail.

I use a 50a to 30a adapter whenever I can. As mentioned, a much better connection point.

Some people think the 30 Amp breaker in the Power Center will protect it, and it will, AFTER the 30 amp breaker.

It will not protect the 30 amp cord between the pedestal and the camper.

You are taking a risk.

[JohnE]

You can hookup to a 50 amp outlet with a 30 amp RV by just using a 50 amp amp to 30 amp adapter. Your 30 amp cord with not be damaged because the 30 amp breaker in your rv electricial box will trip preventing you from drawing anymore than 30 amps of electric thru the cord. Whenever I am at a campsite and there is a 30 amp and 50 amp hookup, I always use the 50 amp even with my RV having a 30 amp capability. Been camping for over 30 years and no problems.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by JohnE

You can hookup to a 50 amp outlet with a 30 amp RV by just using a 50 amp amp to 30 amp adapter. Your 30 amp cord with not be damaged because the 30 amp breaker in your rv electricial box will trip preventing you from drawing anymore than 30 amps of electric thru the cord. Whenever I am at a campsite and there is a 30 amp and 50 amp hookup, I always use the 50 amp even with my RV having a 30 amp capability. Been camping for over 30 years and no problems.

If there is a short in the wiring of your camper or the receptacle on the outside of your camper before the Power Center, the 30 Amp breaker in that Power Center WILL NOT trip.

The 30 amp breaker in your Power Center is only measuring the current going through the breaker, NOT before it gets there.

It is a potential fire, which in a camper can very quickly turn deadly.

[Comanchecreek]

My old trailer had 30 amp. Hooked it up with a 50 to 30 adapter and never had an issue.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Comanchecreek

My old trailer had 30 amp. Hooked it up with a 50 to 30 adapter and never had an issue.

It can be done, so can snake charming.

It only takes one time to make you wish you had not done it though

[youroo]

Are Some of you Members trying to tell people that a 30A RV Cord plugged into a 50 to 30 Adapter will produce 50A at the Elect Panel at/on Trailer? Youroo!!

[TURBS]

I’ve not ever seen a 50 amp plug and also not have a 30 and a 20

[doc73]

That is how. They are here, only one outlet... On a 50site you. Get a 50 plug only. On the 30 sites, just the 30 plug no other outlets.

Originally Posted by TURBS

I’ve not ever seen a 50 amp plug and also not have a 30 and a 20

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by TURBS

I’ve not ever seen a 50 amp plug and also not have a 30 and a 20

I've seen it a few times now. Maybe 3-4 out of 100+ RV parks + campgrounds.

[Scrapper]

DouglasReid

That's like saying I need a separate feeder from the power lines even though the same transformer feeds my small house with 100A main panel and my neighbors newer house with 200 amp main panel. I'm looking at the transformer in the corner of the back yard and his feeder lines and my feeder lines are connected to the same terminals.

[formerFR]

Using a 50amp adapter to provide 30amps to your 30amp coach is not a big issue, as that is exactly what the adapter is for, but some have concerns that the 30amp Shore Cord is not designed for 50amps, or potentially more, of power.

True, well said, BUT, remember that the coach itself has a 30amp Main breaker, so there is very little chance, if any ever, that any more than 30amp would flow thru the cord.

If too many amps are requested by the owner's usage, then either an individual breaker within the RV will trip, or it's 30amp main breaker will. That is your safety measure, just as when you are plugged into normal 30amp service.

I think the more concern is when you are in the situation where you are plugging into a 20amp residential outlet, and you have to use an extension cord, along with your shore power cord, to reach it. In that situation, then, the extension cord is the weak link, as you could be requesting more power thru it than it is designed to handle, as most folks only have extension cords that are typically designed for up to 15amp outlets.

I did this once when I needed to run my air conditioner in the RV, while parked near my home's 20amp outlet in the shed. My extension cord was over 100' long, and probably not really designed to carry the load of a 12-13 amp air conditioner, 4-5 amp fridge, and other plugged in items, all running together, and all thru that same extension cord.
It got quite hot before I realized what was happening, so it's certainly possible that this type of situation could warrant a much larger wire extension cord.
In these type cases, the RV owner is the real safety measure - no breaker is in the line to protect them.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

If there is a short in the wiring of your camper or the receptacle on the outside of your camper before the Power Center, the 30 Amp breaker in that Power Center NOT trip.

Umm, Mr. Reid:

1. That convenience outlet on the outside of the trailer is fed by one of the 15 amp breakers inside the trailer. That breaker would trip first.
2. If there were a dead short in the power cord or its socket (either end), the 50 amp breaker would trip before any serious damage occurred. If you look at breaker specifications, at 10% overload, they can take many minutes to trip. At a dead short, they are all in the milliseconds.

Larry

[aceinspp]

No problem using the adapter. Have done it for many years. Do you think they make these adapters if they are not safe. Later RJD

[formerFR]

the Adapters like this(I found one at Walmart) will generally have a 'warning' statement that the user should monitor and make sure that they are using the adapter safely since there 'could' be more amperage flowing thru something plugged into the adapter than the 'something' is designed to handle.... or something similar to that.

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

It can be done, so can snake charming.

It only takes one time to make you wish you had not done it though

What would cause such a thing to happen. I’ not an electrican.