Community Forums

whatsnewell · 03-15-2013, 05:03 AM

We do a lot what I call "courtesy parking" as we travel full time around the U.S. Most often if you are offered an electrical outlet to plug into it will be a 20 amp circuit if the outlet is in the garage.....this is not always the case, especially in homes over 40 years old. 20 amps works well for me because I can run my front roof top A/C (draws about 12-13 amps), or electric heater (depending on weather) and the TV with no worries. All my interior lights are 12 volt LED, and I switch my fridge to gas. If my batteries are charged, its hot, and I'm only working with a 15 amp circuit, then I unplug my charger while I run the A/C.

On the adapters......I actually have one of those hard to find 50 amp to 15 amp adapters....the fewer adapters you employ the less resistance you will have between you and the receptacle.

Coaster1 · 03-15-2013, 01:05 PM

^Have you ever had any problems on tripping the breaker. I'm guessing so bear with me. If I use 50/15 adapter and DW forgets and turns something on, will the breaker in the coach trip? Thanks in advance.

Steve Ownby · 03-15-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster1

^Have you ever had any problems on tripping the breaker. I'm guessing so bear with me. If I use 50/15 adapter and DW forgets and turns something on, will the breaker in the coach trip? Thanks in advance.

The coach breaker will not trip but the breaker protecting the 15 amp circuit you are plugged into will.

bluepill · 03-15-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

The coach breaker will not trip but the breaker protecting the 15 amp circuit you are plugged into will.

Correct. You can guess how I know. And I can't blame the DW.

FWIW, I can run the basement air in my rig on a 15 amp circuit with everything else turned off. Because it is a dual compressor unit, by turning off the breaker for the second stage compressor it will pull 13 amps. That is 1 amp over the NEC recommendation of 80% of circuit capacity for continuous loads, but I still have good voltage. I always make sure that I have really tight/firm connections and monitor for excessive temperatures at the plugs and sockets by touching them after running for 20 to 30 minutes.

In the evening, I shut the A/C off so that I can charge the batteries, watch the TV, and switch the refer to 120 volts. That still keeps me below 12 amps.

In the morning, I can switch the refer off for a half hour while I heat the water - which draws 10 amps. After the water is hot enough, the coffee maker is run, and when it's done I can use the toaster. As long as you are aware of what each appliance draws, it's quite easy to live a 15 amp lifestyle.

Coaster1 · 03-15-2013, 05:27 PM

I guess I did not make myself clear. I have a 50 amp circuit and socket complete with a breaker in the service panel on the side of the garage. I sold my 50 amp coach and now have a 30 amp coach. If I have a 50 to 30 adapter and a 30 to 15, will it work. I want the coach to protect itself because I know the 50 amp breaker in the box won't trip. Hope I phrased the question properly.

FlyingDiver · 03-15-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster1

I guess I did not make myself clear. I have a 50 amp circuit and socket complete with a breaker in the service panel on the side of the garage. I sold my 50 amp coach and now have a 30 amp coach. If I have a 50 to 30 adapter and a 30 to 15, will it work. I want the coach to protect itself because I know the 50 amp breaker in the box won't trip. Hope I phrased the question properly.

There's no point in using the 30-15 adapter. In fact, it's dangerous if your coach could pull more than 15 amps, since the breaker isn't protecting the adapter. Use the 50-30 and your coach's 30 amp breaker will protect the coach.

Steve Ownby · 03-15-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster1

I guess I did not make myself clear. I have a 50 amp circuit and socket complete with a breaker in the service panel on the side of the garage. I sold my 50 amp coach and now have a 30 amp coach. If I have a 50 to 30 adapter and a 30 to 15, will it work. I want the coach to protect itself because I know the 50 amp breaker in the box won't trip. Hope I phrased the question properly.

The simplest thing to do is pull out the 50 amp breaker and replace with a 30 amp double pole. You will only be using 1 leg of the double pole breaker but you won't have to change out the 50 amp receptical and by using a 50/30 amp adaptor you will be using the full capacity of one leg of the circuit.

Libero · 03-15-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster1

I guess I did not make myself clear. I have a 50 amp circuit and socket complete with a breaker in the service panel on the side of the garage. I sold my 50 amp coach and now have a 30 amp coach. If I have a 50 to 30 adapter and a 30 to 15, will it work. I want the coach to protect itself because I know the 50 amp breaker in the box won't trip. Hope I phrased the question properly.

You will not have 30A protection for the cord and everything up to the onboard 30A breaker. While the risk is low, there is a risk.

I suggest you either put a 30A breaker and a 30A outlet at the location of your current outlet, or change your current panel breakers from 50A to 30A. (Ganged breakers)

Your 50A to 30A adapter will of course only pick up one leg of the circuit but it would be best to have both legs fused at the same rating,

Not understanding the 30A to 15A adapter in his scenario.

Libero · 03-15-2013, 05:51 PM

Steve

We were on the same page on this and our responses overlapped

Steve Ownby · 03-15-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libero

Steve

We were on the same page on this and our responses overlapped

Great minds or weak minds? Who knows for sure. The scary thing is, someone might listen!

Coaster1 · 03-16-2013, 06:25 AM

Thanks to all that replied. I'll do the breaker deal and use a fifty to thirty adapter. Thank again.

Libero · 03-16-2013, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster1

Thanks to all that replied. I'll do the breaker deal and use a fifty to thirty adapter. Thank again.

Good move. Should be a simple fix. Can always revert to 50A breakers if you ever need that again.

Pusherman · 03-16-2013, 01:04 PM

Here's another solution that will completely protect your coach, and still give you the flexibility of having 50A, 30A, or 20A.

H75SM-3L externally mounted electric box with 50A/30A/20A receptacles inside. All are fused with the proper circuit breakers right at receptacle:
http://www.go-usg.com/incs/process_f.asp?uid=813393