50 amp to 30 amp reducer cord

[dretired]

Since this is my first 5th wheel with a 50 amp power cord is it acceptable to use a 30 amp cord( with reducer) as an extension.. if ..I cant get my rig close enough to the power pedestal at the campground ??

[youroo]

Yes if you treat it like (30) amp. Youroo!!

[Wiscampsin]

I'm on a 30 AMP seasonal site and use a 50 to 30 reducer/dogbone adapter with no problems. Like youroo said, I just treat it like a 30 AMP meaning I can't run the AC, microwave, and run the HW on electric all at the same time.

[Herk7769]

Adding a 30 amp cord as an EXTENSION to a 50 amp cord has issues way beyond "watch your amperage use."

1) There will also be significant voltage loss in the 30 amp extension. You should monitor your voltage in the camper when you are doing this. ANY indication your AC is having trouble starting is cause for alarm.

2) If you use a 30 amp to 50 amp converter to plug into the 50 amp socket on the pole, you could cause a fire by overloading the 30 amp rated connections and the 30 amp rated cord.

As said before; this can be done, but is not recommended. In fact, many 30 amp campers use 50 amp rated extension cords to keep voltage loss to a minimum.

[prairiecamper]

Originally Posted by dretired

Since this is my first 5th wheel with a 50 amp power cord is it acceptable to use a 30 amp cord( with reducer) as an extension.. if ..I cant get my rig close enough to the power pedestal at the campground ??

If you are talking about using a 30 amp extension cord on a 50 amp service pole to a 50 amp service trailer not a good idea! See Herks post above. Think of it this way, the power pole has the ability to provide 50 amps before the breaker trips. (theoretically) The trailer has the ability to accept 50 amps before the trailer 50 amp electrical panel breaker trips. Now what you have in between is a 30 amp cord, your cord is now a fuse except that it won't trip but get hot and burn!

But if you are talking about plugging into a 30 amp service pole, with a 30 amp cord and adaptor to your 50 amp trailer you should be OK, because once you exceed 30 amps of power use the breaker at the power pole should trip.

[F and E Damp]

If you're planning on a long extension cord, just make sure it's heavy enough gauge for 50A over that length. Monitor it for getting hot when you have heavy electrical usage.

[Big bird]

NO, NO, NO.

DO NOT use a 30 amp cable on a 50 amp system. You can use a 50 amp cable on a 30 amp system, but not the otherway.

[garbonz]

Now I am really confused.

50 from camper to 30 amp extension to 30 amp pole ok.

50 from camper to 30 extension to 50 at pole no good.

To long and voltage drop problem.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by garbonz

Now I am really confused.

50 from camper to 30 amp extension to 30 amp pole ok.

50 from camper to 30 extension to 50 at pole no good.

To long and voltage drop problem.

You are not confused. Your understanding is correct

[5er_tom]

How about the reverse senerio? I have a 30 AMP unit. I purchased a 50 to 30 converter cord in the unlikely event I get to an RV park that only has a 50 AMP site available.

Anything I need to worry about?

Thanks!

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

How about the reverse senerio? I have a 30 AMP unit. I purchased a 50 to 30 converter cord in the unlikely event I get to an RV park that only has a 50 AMP site available.

Anything I need to worry about?

Thanks!

Not at all. You can only use as much power as the camper can take.

In the previous case, the camper can "take" more than the supply cord can handle.

[dretired]

I would plug the 30 amp cord into a 30 amp socket at the pedestal..and watch my use

[5er_tom]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Not at all. You can only use as much power as the camper can take.

In the previous case, the camper can "take" more than the supply cord can handle.

That was my thought, thanks. It is a good item to have packed in the 5th wheel, just in case. I'll bet I never use it.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by dretired

I would plug the 30 amp cord into a 30 amp socket at the pedestal..and watch my use

That's what I always originally thought the OP meant he was going to do. Hook a 30 amp extension cord to his 50 amp RV cord using a 50 amp female to 30 amp male adapter, then plug into a 30 amp outlet.

I guess we needed a little more clarification on how he planned to hook up everything, but I didn't see any problem (outside of being limited to using 30 amps of electrical items vs 50(x2), if he did it as described above.

EDIT: if I am visualizing this all correct, wouldn't the OP have needed two adapters if using it any other way (like trying to plug into a 50 amp outlet of the park pedestal)

Ex 1: (assuming the 50 amp power cord is the detachable kind) If he tried to hook a 30 amp cord directly to his trailer first, then he would need some kind of special adapter to allow a 30 amp cord to be plugged into a 50 amp RV......then he would need another special adapter to plug the male end of the 30 amp cord into the female end of the RV's 50 amp detached cord......before the 50 amp cord could be plugged into the park pedestals 50 amp outlet.

Ex 2: If he plugged the RV's 50 amp cord into the RV first, then he would need an adapter to hook the 30 amp extension cords female to the 50 amps cords male......and then another adapter that would allow him to plug the 30 amp male to a 50 amp female, then let him plug into the 50 amp outlet at the park pedestal.

Either one of those scenarios would be wrong, I also don't think either of the above is what the OP was envisioning, as he only stated using one adapter

EDIT 2: dretired, I now see you are the OP and already clarified yourself. Good deal.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by dretired

I would plug the 30 amp cord into a 30 amp socket at the pedestal..and watch my use

BINGO! Yep, that's the way you use a 30 amp extension cord for a 50 amp trailer. You will need a 30 amp male with a 50 amp female dogbone adapter.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

How about the reverse senerio? I have a 30 AMP unit. I purchased a 50 to 30 converter cord in the unlikely event I get to an RV park that only has a 50 AMP site available.

Anything I need to worry about?

Thanks!

50 amp only won't happen, but what if you draw 40amp and your breaker is bum? Not a good idea either.

[RodeoGeorge]

Originally Posted by VinceU

50 amp only won't happen, but what if you draw 40amp and your breaker is bum? Not a good idea either.

In the way that dretired explained his use, the limiting factor will be the 30A Breaker on the pedestal. His Power Control Center should have a dual 50A Main.

So the pedestal breaker "should" protect the 30A Extension.

I made up a 50A Extension, and should I encounter his situation I'll be AWG 6 to the pedestal. Less line loss.

RodeoGeorge

[youroo]

Originally Posted by youroo

Yes if you treat it like (30) amp. Youroo!!

I still stand by my org.advice! Youroo!!

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by youroo

I still stand by my org.advice! Youroo!!

Agree with you and Rodeo but I was responding to 5er_Tom with 50 amp pedestal supply, not 30A.

[dretired]

I had put in a call to the service dept at General rv.. Telling them... that the State Park that we will be going to ..has 30 amp & 20 amp service at the pedestals..There question to me was "do you have a 2nd air conditioner " ? No..i do not was the answer ... There response.."No problem then " !! I am still going to have to watch which electrical devices are being used at any given time ..just as I did with my previous 30 amp 5th wheel