50 amp to 30 amp

[tkemnitzer]

I currently have a Flagstaff V Lite with 30 amp service. I am thinking about buying a new Forest River with 50 amp service. I have a 25 foot extension cord that is 30 amp that I use when I need that little extra to make it to the outlet. Question. If I buy the new camper with 50 amp cord can I use my current 30 amp extension cord using a dog bone / adapter to move from 50 amp to 30 amp at a campground and also put on an adapter at the end to bring to household current as well. Is that too much downsizing or would it work as well as be safe? Thanks!

[youroo]

Adapted down to 20Amp on the end will give you 115V power for lights and such,No Air! Youroo!!

[tkemnitzer]

Ok, thanks. I guess I could buy a 50 amp extension cord to keep the same too. Was not sure if too much downsizing would cause an issue. I would guess if I plugged into a 30 amp at a campground I could run one of my 15000 a/c's.

[Bama Rambler]

You are correct. If you plug into a 30 amp pedestal with an adapter, you can run one A/C.

It's still good to have a few different dog-bone adapters just in case you need them. It's also good to keep a few extension cords on board too.

[Iwritecode]

When we bought our new trailer we went from 30A to 50A as well. The problem was the CG we were seasonal at only had 30A service. Also the way our trailer was situated on our site the post was at the one of the site and the cord coming out of the trailer was at the other end. So we ended up having to use a 25' 30A extension cord with a dogbone to connect it to the trailer cord.

I *think* that's what your asking and yes it can be done. You just want to be careful about water getting into the connections. I kept the dogbone underneath the trailer to keep it out of the weather. Others have used buckets with holes cut out on the sides.

I'm not quite sure what you mean here though...

Originally Posted by tkemnitzer

an adapter at the end to bring to household
current as well.

[5picker]

Yes, you can adapt your 50 amp service to 30 amp and 15/20 amp (your term, household current) with dogbone adapters.

As mentioned, you will need to be mindful of what 120v appliance you run all at once.
The 50 to 30 dogbone adapter (internally) will supply 120v power to both legs of your 50 amp service so keep in mind, instead of having two 50 amp legs of power, you will only have 30 amps to divide between the two legs. Consequently, when you add the 15/20 amp adapter, you will only have 15/20 amps for the two legs. Now you can see why it was mentioned you will need to be very conscious of what you turn on.
Going to the 15/20 amp adapter is typically only used to keep the battery(ies) charged and allows the converter to supply 12v for lights. Not much else.

[Flybob]

An easy rule of thumb. The lowest current carrying capacity item you have in the power connection chain dictates the max current you should draw.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Flybob

An easy rule of thumb. The lowest current carrying capacity item you have in the power connection chain dictates the max current you should draw.

And 'hopefully' the circuit you ultimately plug into has proper protection from over current draws.

[zookie]

You will find not all places have 50 Amp service so dogbone and 30 Amp cord will come in handy. Your unit should be able to handle everything but only run 1 ac unit at a time. I even adapt down to a 15 Amp at home just to keep batteries charged.

[kayo]

Usually one of the several RV part suppliers will have a sale on a 25' 50 amp extension. You can also go to Home Depot and buy 25 ft. of 4 wire 8 gauge wire, and male and female 50 amp fitting and make your own for abut $40. I did this about four months ago when I moved my trailer into a new site at Bandelier NM where I park my rig. Needed the power right now rather than wait a week for a cable to get here.
I also made a short extention using an 50 amp electric dryer power cord and a
round 50 amp female plug similar to that on the power cord that came with the trailer, that i use with a regular 15' 50 amp extension. That way I do not have to screw around with the big 50' cord which, in most cases I don't need

[Telstar]

My Cardinal came with a 30' 50A shore cable. I carry an adapter to 30A and since I have rarely needed to exceed the 30' I carry a 30A extension. 50A extensions are extremely expensive just to store for use every few years.

[jkoenig24]

You need to park closer to the power pedestal.

[tomrob1161]

Keep in mind, that if you adapt down to 30 amp or 15 amp, that is all you've got, You need to manage your amps. See attached - "Before You Blow Your Breaker"

[tkemnitzer]

Thanks! So I am guessing if I am plugged in at home I probably should not try to run my 15000 a/c off of my home current, 15 /20. If I try and run, could it hurt my a/c?

[youroo]

Originally Posted by tkemnitzer

Thanks! So I am guessing if I am plugged in at home I probably should not try to run my 15000 a/c off of my home current, 15 /20. If I try and run, could it hurt my a/c?

Since you are guessing I will guess also that you could/will hurt your 15000 AC! I am also guessing if you want to run your AC at Home,you need to install a RV outlet! Youroo!!

[tkemnitzer]

For sure! What's a little more $$ anyway!! Thanks!

[tomrob1161]

The problem with running your 15K A/C of your 15/20 house current, is that you could weaken your home's breaker and damage your A/C circuit board. If you elect to run your A/C on house current, be sure no other 120 volt draws in your RV, i.e. TV, coffee pot, microwave, refrigerator, etc.

[ScottBrownstein]

Keep your cords short and your connections clean. A Dometic 15,000 AC unit draws between up to 18.9 amps when running. That is a little more than you have in a 15 amp house outlet, but you might be OK if you have a 20 amp on your house (it does have a 20 amp breaker in your RV panel.) You might make it but nothing else, especially your power converter, reefer, etc. Don't worry about the house breaker, worry about "browning out" your AC unit with low voltage at full rated current. If you must do it, run the fan on low.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by youroo

Since you are guessing I will guess also that you could/will hurt your 15000 AC! I am also guessing if you want to run your AC at Home,you need to install a RV outlet! Youroo!!

X2 if you're guessing

Its not an absolute..........its all about voltage drop. There are conditions where a 15 amp circuit can be suitable and conditions where they are not. I had been running the AC when the camper is at home off of a 15 amp circuit for years up until I ran a dedicated 30 amp out of the sub panel in my shop with no ill effects, including never making my P.I. EMS cut off. I have checked out the circuit though with a clamp on meter while doing so and did not guess. Also when I rewired my house I used all 12 gauge wire. A lot of residential wiring will have 14 gauge for 15 amp circuits, and older wiring may have aluminum wire which is a story unto itself which I will not get into, and if the run of that from the breaker to receptacle is long its most likely a no go.

I would suggest reading up on voltage drop and how it relates to lengths of run and gauge of wire. Then instead of guessing also install a hard start kit which is cheap insurance, and probably the most cost effective mod you can make to an RV AC unit other than sealing and taping up the distribution plenum.

[tkemnitzer]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your input.