Step down plug from 50amp to 30amp?

[SantinoDad]

I have a 2016 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22r that I have used a 30amp plug power for my RV. Recently I was at Parker Dam RV Park where only a 50 amp plug was available. The RV park lent me an adapter to plug in to the 50 amp.

How does the adapter plug work and is it safe to use on my rig that uses 30amp?

Seemed to work fine for a day. I am considering purchasing on Amazon the same type of adapter in case I run across the same situation in the future.

OK to use such an adapter?

[rk911]

very common. you'll be fine.

while you're at it you might want to pick up a 30>20 amp adapter. in our experience it's rare but you might run into an old park that only offers 20-amp electric.

[bruceh]

I got one at Walmart.

[NLOVNIT]

Yes, it's OK. Just know you won't have 50a available to use because your RV is wired for only 30a.

Depending on what RV I've had, I've had multiple adapters. I'm currently plugged into my garage 20a circuit with a 30a to 20a adapter.

[onebrit]

Hi just wanted to try and help you understand the difference in how the 30 and 50Amp circuits work, 30-amp plugs have three prongs Ground Neutral and Hot. and is a single pole feed off one 30amp single pole breaker. The fifty-amp has four prongs Ground Neutral and two hot wires fed from a double pole breaker. When using adaptor fifty amp to 30 amp while the fifty-amp plug has the four-wire capability only three wires are feeding the the 30 amp, plug so it is perfectly safe to power your unit with. And also mentioned you can also use an adaptor from a 20amp receptical to a 30amp plug on your coach power cord. Just remember you can only use the power up to the max amp rating and will be less the longer the cord is due to power drop. I'm sure if this wasn't clear someone will clarify.
Hope this helps.
Happy Camping
Onebrit.

[Skip Y]

My only concern is that your 30amp cord is not protected by the 50A breaker. e.g., you could draw 40A thru the cord (if something went wrong on the coach side), and potentially burn up your cord. The 50A breaker at the pedestal thinks all is fine, it's only seeing 40A, but your cord (and everything downstream) is only rated for 30A.
The adapters do work, but be aware of the potential risk.

[Mudfrog]

If the pedestal has it, I usually use the 50 amp receptacle to power our 30 amp rig. Mainly because the 50 amp receptacle is beefier and usually in better shape. I've come across many 30 amp pedestal receptacles that were burnt and worn out. That being said, I have found a few 30 ampers that looked brand new and used them instead.

Yes, it's possible the 30 amp rated circuit (wiring, connectors, transfer switch) between a 50 pedestal and the rig's 30 amp breaker can be damaged. Possible, but not that likely. Just can't think of too many situations where continuous amp draw would fall between 30 and 50 amps.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Skip Y

My only concern is that your 30amp cord is not protected by the 50A breaker. e.g., you could draw 40A thru the cord (if something went wrong on the coach side), and potentially burn up your cord. The 50A breaker at the pedestal thinks all is fine, it's only seeing 40A, but your cord (and everything downstream) is only rated for 30A.
The adapters do work, but be aware of the potential risk.

The cord is rated for 30 amps, it can handle 50 amps until the breaker trips, if by some unimaginable overload happens in the RV. The RV main breaker is 30 amps.

Don't you plug tiny phone chargers in 15 amp outlets ?

[Old-Biscuit]

50A to30A Adapter
50A is 4 prong....2 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground
30A is 3 prong....1 hot, 1 neutral, 1 ground

Adapter uses just 1 HOT, 1 NEUTRAL, 1 GROUND

Your RV 30A Main CB in panel protects your RV
The Power Pedestal 50A CB(s) WILL Trip should your RV Power cord short out

As you found out...your 30A RV worked just fine on that 50A to 30A Adapter

[gregoryd73]

IF your RV is setup for 30amp (3-prong cord), you can purchase a 30 to 50 adapter and connect with no worries. As was also suggested you should pick up a 30 to 20 amp adapter (standard house-type plug) as well. You still cannot go over 30amps, or the main breaker in your RV panel will trip. Still, no worries. Reset it and stop running the microwave while your wife is drying her hair. Ha!

[Camp CA]

You can use aan adapter cord or plug. I have both and prefer the plug. Buy from local or on-line rv parts store, Amazon, Walmart, etc.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by gregoryd73

stop running the microwave while your wife is drying her hair. Ha!

Let's hear the rest of this story. Ha!