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HD4Mark · 09-01-2011, 07:25 AM

Just bought a surge protector from Progressive. I had a question about it, emailed their contact and received a reply from the president same day. I am impressed.

While researching the surge protector I saw this Cheater Box Great idea but how hard would it be to make one? I have a couple of 30amp extensions I no longer need so they could be butchered for male plugs and cord. Also have the adapter for 30 to 15/20A. An electric box and a 50A outlet would be all I need, right?

To wire it would it go like this? L1 and L2 would be the hot side from each 30A plug. Then tie the grounds together on the ground post and same for neutrals on the neutral post. Seems like for the price there must be more to it than that.

I also see in the link above

Quote:

Will not operate on a GFCI circuit

I don't recall ever seeing a 20A CG pedestal without GFCI protection so how does that work?

Gary RVRoamer · 09-01-2011, 06:37 PM

You are right about the wiring method. And if you have the necessary spare parts it can be made easily enough. You need a 50A outlet, a weatherproof box, two 30A male plugs and two 30/15 adapters.

I use my cheater box mostly when parked in somebody's driveway (older homes seldom have GFCIs) or when there are two 30A outlets available (e.g. my own yard).

wa8yxm · 09-01-2011, 06:48 PM

I have seen a 30 amp pedistal without a GFCI on the 20. Very rare however.

I do not recommend the cheater boxes because of that, if they do not trip the GFCI on the 20 amp side something is wrong.

I do recommend http://www.psrv.net

It works. As advertised, no GFCI issues

HD4Mark · 09-02-2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

I have seen a 30 amp pedistal without a GFCI on the 20. Very rare however.

I do not recommend the cheater boxes because of that, if they do not trip the GFCI on the 20 amp side something is wrong.

I do recommend http://www.psrv.net

It works. As advertised, no GFCI issues

psrv.net doesn't seem to be around any longer. What was it wa8yxm?

I suppose in a pinch if we were at a site with only 30A for an extended stay I could wire a non-GFCI outlet to the ped with the CG's permission of course

It's not often we even stay at a site without 50A but on occasion we will be at a State park without. I just thought it would be a cool addition to our MH for not much money since we have a lot of the parts already. About $10 of parts from Lowes or HD would do it for the rest.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-02-2011, 07:50 AM

For $10 go ahead and build it. If you use it just once it will be worth your effort. I find I use mine about once or twice a year.

I don't think you will get permission to wire in an extra non-GFCI outlet, though. Everybody is too worried about getting sued these days.