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Old 07-29-2020, 01:15 PM   #1
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Using 50A Outlet for 30A RV

Any issues with getting an adapter and plugging my 30A trailer into a 50A outlet? Sometimes parks fill up and this is the only thing available.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:26 PM   #2
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Nope, not at all.
We run our 50A trailer most of the time on the 30A side. We don't need the 50 Amp in our trailer, but it's pre-wired that way for dual A/C units. You should be good to go, unless you're running 2 or 3 A/C units at the same time. Then you might have issues.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:30 PM   #3
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It shoul;d be fine just have the correct dog bone adapter.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:36 PM   #4
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I do it anytime the 50amp is available at my site. I figure if something trips, it'll be in the camper before the pedestal. That way I don't have to walk outside to reset it.

Why does it trip? Usually the wife running the hairdryer without turning off the AC (the HW Heater element is on, too). Happens at least once every trip.

I usually run a piece of duct tape over the connection between the camper cord and the dog bone to keep water out if it rains.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:38 PM   #5
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Order a RENOGY 50 TO 30 amp adapter at Home depot. You have to type in RENOGY to find it . Under 15.00 dollars ,and free pick up . arrives fast. Remember to check prongs frequently for scorching. No adapter lasts forever.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:43 PM   #6
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Thanks to all. I'll pickup and adapter and carry it in the rig.
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Old 07-30-2020, 12:55 PM   #7
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I always carry one with me. On our last outing, everything was working great until I turned on the AC. Ac tripped the 30 pedestal breaker, never had this happen before, so I figured a weak breaker in the ped. so I used my adapter on the 50 amp side, and problem solved.
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Old 07-30-2020, 12:59 PM   #8
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Not a problem. But understand, you will still have only 30 amps to work with.
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Originally Posted by Nodaksilver View Post
Any issues with getting an adapter and plugging my 30A trailer into a 50A outlet? Sometimes parks fill up and this is the only thing available.
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Old 07-30-2020, 02:30 PM   #9
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Not a problem. But understand, you will still have only 30 amps to work with.
Actually, assuming that the 50-amp receptacle has a properly working 50-amp breaker, there will be 50 amps available throughout the length of the 30-amp cable, all the way until the first working 30-amp breaker, likely your RV’s main breaker.

After that working 30-amp breaker, there will only be 30 amps available.
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Old 07-30-2020, 02:58 PM   #10
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Order a RENOGY 50 TO 30 amp adapter at Home depot. You have to type in RENOGY to find it . Under 15.00 dollars ,and free pick up . arrives fast. Remember to check prongs frequently for scorching. No adapter lasts forever.
You need to turn off the pedestal breaker when plugging / unplugging. If you do not then every time you plug in or unplug there is arcing while the breaker is live.
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Old 07-30-2020, 03:55 PM   #11
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Actually, assuming that the 50-amp receptacle has a properly working 50-amp breaker, there will be 50 amps available throughout the length of the 30-amp cable, all the way until the first working 30-amp breaker, likely your RV’s main breaker.

After that working 30-amp breaker, there will only be 30 amps available.
That's a lot of words to simply say that you agree.
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Old 07-30-2020, 04:13 PM   #12
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That's a lot of words to simply say that you agree.
I didn’t agree. I didn’t want anyone left with the impression that there was no way that 50 amps would come roaring down that cable from that 50-amp receptacle. The post I was replying to left that possible misimpression.

The only thing that stops the 50 amps is the trailer’s 30-amp breaker—if it is functioning. And then only from the breaker forward. Nothing before the breaker is protected.

It is important that folks know that a 50-amp receptacle to a 30-amp receptacle adapter merely adapts the plug and does not reduce the possible current passing through and out of the adapter.
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Old 07-30-2020, 04:34 PM   #13
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Actually, assuming that the 50-amp receptacle has a properly working 50-amp breaker, there will be 50 amps available throughout the length of the 30-amp cable, all the way until the first working 30-amp breaker, likely your RV’s main breaker.

After that working 30-amp breaker, there will only be 30 amps available.
It may be present inside the cord but it's hardly available.
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Old 07-30-2020, 04:41 PM   #14
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It may be present inside the cord but it's hardly available.
It is available in the sense that any combination of devices drawing up to 50 amps would cause up to 50 amps to flow down the cable unless and until it was stopped by a functional breaker with a lower amperage.

That is my sole point.

I have made it. I won’t bother to continue. Moving on.
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Old 07-30-2020, 05:03 PM   #15
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Wow, talk about insisting on the last word.....
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Old 07-30-2020, 05:13 PM   #16
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I run with the 50 amp plug converter all the time. TIP: you can push the 30A to 50A plug connector back up and under the lid of most junction boxes so the rain wont get to the plug. Happy RV'ing
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Old 07-30-2020, 06:00 PM   #17
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I have 100,000A available at my house until it hits my 200A main breaker!
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Old 07-30-2020, 07:00 PM   #18
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While we’re arguing, someone please settle my own personal dilemma. I have 2-2000 watt Champion inverter generators that I plug together for my trailer. The plugger-inner thing has a 30 amp socket that has to have an RV plug adapter which I don’t have. But it also has a 50 amp outlet and I DO have a 50 amp to 30 amp dogbone. I use what I have so as not to have to buy an adapter. It seems to work fine. Am I creating a potential problem for myself?
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Old 07-30-2020, 07:01 PM   #19
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The perception that there is 50a of current in your shore power cord the moment you use a dogbone adapter is a common misnomer.

Current can't flow unless there is a load of some sort so just because you are connected to a 50a service, if nothing is drawing current, the electric supply isn't sitting there 'pumping' 50a into your cord, waiting for something to use it.

Since your 30a R/V can only draw 30a before the R/Vs breaker will trip, there isn't an extra 20a of current sitting in your cord. The amount of current (amps) in your cord will only ever be the amount you are drawing through it.
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Old 07-30-2020, 07:02 PM   #20
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While we’re arguing, someone please settle my own personal dilemma. I have 2-2000 watt Champion inverter generators that I plug together for my trailer. The plugger-inner thing has a 30 amp socket that has to have an RV plug adapter which I don’t have. But it also has a 50 amp outlet and I DO have a 50 amp to 30 amp dogbone. I use what I have so as not to have to buy an adapter. It seems to work fine. Am I creating a potential problem for myself?
No.
What you are doing is perfectly fine.
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