New to how electric works

Bliles61 · 02-06-2019, 08:38 PM

This is my first time to have an RV and actually I have never even taken it anywhere yet. But I want to and I scheduled a stay.
The question is my trailer has a 30 amp plug in for electric and this camp site says they have 50 amp sites. Do I have a problem when I go? Do they make an adapter some how?

Kimber45 · 02-06-2019, 08:46 PM

there are prob 100 different adaptors. More then likely there would be a 30 amp and 50 amp plug but not always. If they have 50 amp service only you will need an adaptor. You can also get a 30 to 15 amp adaptor so you can plug in at home and charge batteries and run small stuff.

tande · 02-06-2019, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bliles61

This is my first time to have an RV and actually I have never even taken it anywhere yet. But I want to and I scheduled a stay.
The question is my trailer has a 30 amp plug in for electric and this camp site says they have 50 amp sites. Do I have a problem when I go? Do they make an adapter some how?

Maybe this .......

fonzie · 02-06-2019, 08:52 PM

Here is an example of what adapter you would need....

https://www.rvpartscountry.com/12-Ad...FVYdgQodsToKMg

cavie · 02-07-2019, 12:11 AM

The afore mentioned adaptor is called a Dog Bone. They come in various styles. You will need a 50 to 30 dog bone. You will be plugged into a 240 volt 50 amp service but you will only have 120 volt 30 amps available to you trailer because of your 30 amp main breaker. Sometimes you will find a 30 amp plug worn out and a loose fit. That's when you will pull the same dog bone out and have a good connection.

As mentioned you can also adapt 20 to 30 for use at home. You will only get 20 amps of power because that is all your are plug into.

TheGerman · 02-07-2019, 01:41 AM

As the OP is not familiar with the intricacies of electric wiring it might be worthwhile pointing out that while the 50A connection can deliver 240V, the way it is delivered to an RV is 2 x 50A at 120V. The adapter connects one of the two to the 30A plug.

Reverse_snowbird · 02-07-2019, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bliles61

this camp site says they have 50 amp sites.

You've already been given the solution... so this is a comment on 50 amp sites.
Usually campgrounds charge more for 50 amp sites. So if you get a choice in the future, take the 30 amp site. The good thing about 50 amp sites is that they are usually larger to accommodate a bigger rig.

cavie · 02-07-2019, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGerman

As the OP is not familiar with the intricacies of electric wiring it might be worthwhile pointing out that while the 50A connection can deliver 240V, the way it is delivered to an RV is 2 x 50A at 120V. The adapter connects one of the two to the 30A plug.

That is exactly how it is delivered to your house also. 2 hots, 1 neutral, and 1 ground. 50 amp 240 volts for RV is the same as a 50 amp 240 volt range outlet in your house. Or a 200 amp 240 volt electric panel service.

IchLiebeBier · 02-07-2019, 07:13 AM

BTW, if you plug up at home on either a 15 or 20 amp circuit, you will have the power to run the A/C while you're working on it, as long as you don't run the fridge, microwave, water heating element, etc.

BUT, you could end up with a low-voltage situation coming out to the trailer, depending on how much stuff is being run in your house. That low voltage could ruin the A/C.

My rule of thumb is to never run the A/C in that situation (plus I use one of these when at the campground).

If I ever find a new house to move to with a place to park my camper, I'll get a 30 amp outlet installed, just for the camper.

YMMV, and I'm sure others will say they do it all the time. Just be aware of the potential problems.

CHICKDOE · 02-07-2019, 08:23 AM

call the campground and ask if that is 50 amp only (you will need an adapter) or both 50 and 30 amp (will not need an adapter). the adapters are available many places. they are most likely at walmart but i do not know that for certain. take it out and go have an adventure!

**wmtire** · 02-07-2019, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bliles61

This is my first time to have an RV and actually I have never even taken it anywhere yet. But I want to and I scheduled a stay.
The question is my trailer has a 30 amp plug in for electric and this camp site says they have 50 amp sites. Do I have a problem when I go? Do they make an adapter some how?

Welcome aboard. Since you stated this was your first RV, this link may be of help. It explains some of your electrical systems as well as other things. Hope it helps

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ts-157524.html

**Bama Rambler** · 02-07-2019, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHICKDOE

Call the campground and ask if that is 50 amp only (you will need an adapter) or both 50 and 30 amp (will not need an adapter). the adapters are available many places. they are most likely at walmart but i do not know that for certain. take it out and go have an adventure!

Most every campground that we've seen that states that the site is 50 amp, has a 50 amp receptacle, a 30 amp receptacle and at least one 15 or 20 amp receptacle, UNLESS it specifically states 50 amp ONLY.

As ChickDoe said, call the campground and ask them if the sites also have a 30 amp receptacle. They most likely will.

Having said that, it's a good idea to get a 50 amp male to 30 amp female adapter to have just in case.

One like this: 50A Male to 30A Female Adapter

Freetyme · 02-07-2019, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IchLiebeBier

BTW, if you plug up at home on either a 15 or 20 amp circuit, you will have the power to run the A/C while you're working on it, as long as you don't run the fridge, microwave, water heating element, etc.

BUT, you could end up with a low-voltage situation coming out to the trailer, depending on how much stuff is being run in your house. That low voltage could ruin the A/C.

My rule of thumb is to never run the A/C in that situation (plus I use one of these when at the campground).

If I ever find a new house to move to with a place to park my camper, I'll get a 30 amp outlet installed, just for the camper.

YMMV, and I'm sure others will say they do it all the time. Just be aware of the potential problems.

I love beer too. Yes , a 30A hook up at your non camping parking spot is worthwhile. Cost me around $60 for box, breaker, and 10 ga wire. Diy, so no labor cost. Can keep beer in the fridge, run the AC, and reheat food in the micro while working on interior mods / repairs.

RitaB · 02-07-2019, 03:43 PM

I always kid that my mother was frightened by a boy scout when she was pregnant with me. I'm always prepared. When I got my first 30A TT, I got a 50 to 30 dog bone, and a 15 A adapter. I've never had to use the dog bone, I try to stay away from campgrounds that cater to larger units. I use the 15A adapter at home to get the fridge cooled down before I head out.

itat · 02-07-2019, 04:16 PM

Bliles61, welcome to the forum. I would call or email the campground to confirm what hookups are available on their power pedestal at your site. Most campgrounds will have a pedestal with connections for 50A, 30A and 15A, but not all will be setup with the box that has all 3 plugins.

It would be a good idea to buy adapters that allow you to plug into a 50A plug (called 50A male to 30A female) and to plug into a regular receptacle at home (15A male to 30A female). If you are buying adapters, I recommend the dogbone style like in Bama Rambler's picture, not the little "pucks" like this one.

pilotpip · 02-18-2019, 01:45 AM

I've stayed at a couple campgrounds that have 50amp at all their full service hookups, as more and more "small" trailers are coming with 2ACs and 50amp. In one case, we used a 50amp dogbone because the 30amp plug was worn out pretty badly. The owners installed a new outlet while we were there, but it was nice to have the 50 amp dogbone available.

As the poster above said, having a 50amp male to 30 amp female, and a 30 amp male to 15 amp female will cover all your bases.

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