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Old 11-22-2020, 08:17 AM   #1
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Just throwing this out there. Can I run a cabin off my 50A wire?

Here is the layout. I blew out a WIRE (i think) at my cabin a couple weeks back, and the electrician is stumped. Thanksgiving is this next weekend, so I could definitely use some power in the cabin.

We have some property with a power pole that has a 30A and a 50A connection for trailers, then a shed and small cabin running off of 2 20A circuits. One of those circuits has died and we cannot find the source of the malfunction.

I have a 50A RV power cable. I have an unused 50A circuit. I only need about 20 amps from it but never hurts to have more. Is there any SAFE way to hook the 50A cable to some sort of power strip so I can create a couple of portable 110 outlets for the cabin for the Thanksgiving weekend?

Just a short-term fix until I/electrician can find the source of our dead circuit.
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Old 11-22-2020, 08:35 AM   #2
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You can get adapters to do this.

Here is an entire extension cord, 50A to 15A in outlets:

https://www.amazon.com/Parkworld-886...rv+50a&sr=8-14

If you just want a pigtail that converts from 50A to 15A plugs:

https://www.amazon.com/yodotek-House...rv+50a&sr=8-40
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Old 11-22-2020, 08:42 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottandanna View Post
Here is the layout. I blew out a WIRE (i think) at my cabin a couple weeks back, and the electrician is stumped. Thanksgiving is this next weekend, so I could definitely use some power in the cabin.

We have some property with a power pole that has a 30A and a 50A connection for trailers, then a shed and small cabin running off of 2 20A circuits. One of those circuits has died and we cannot find the source of the malfunction.

I have a 50A RV power cable. I have an unused 50A circuit. I only need about 20 amps from it but never hurts to have more. Is there any SAFE way to hook the 50A cable to some sort of power strip so I can create a couple of portable 110 outlets for the cabin for the Thanksgiving weekend?

Just a short-term fix until I/electrician can find the source of our dead circuit.
I guess you could adapt down from your 50a cable with a couple “dog bones” to get to a 20a female and plug in a power strip and run extension cords, but this would be a really sub-optimal and entirely temporary solution. Also you would only be on one leg of the 50 so you would be limited accordingly.

Edit: or just do what Jrollf said....
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Old 11-22-2020, 08:50 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by jrollf View Post
You can get adapters to do this.

Here is an entire extension cord, 50A to 15A in outlets:

https://www.amazon.com/Parkworld-886...rv+50a&sr=8-14

If you just want a pigtail that converts from 50A to 15A plugs:

https://www.amazon.com/yodotek-House...rv+50a&sr=8-40
The first link above is a RV plug, the second is a dryer plug.

I don't think the dryer plug is going to work...

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Old 11-22-2020, 08:58 AM   #5
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Just make sure it says NEMA 14-50, R for receptacle, P for plug. Both the links show a 14-50P.
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Old 11-22-2020, 09:00 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by AnotherMike View Post
The first link above is a RV plug, the second is a dryer plug.

I don't think the dryer plug is going to work...

Mike
The 2nd one has a funky listing. Some of the images show RV style, some show household style.


This one should work too:

https://www.amazon.com/Parkworld-886...rv+50a&sr=8-29
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Old 11-22-2020, 09:05 AM   #7
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Awesome! Sounds easy (and safe) enough! I will look for one of those today.
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Old 11-22-2020, 09:11 AM   #8
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Awesome! Sounds easy (and safe) enough! I will look for one of those today.
Just remember the circuit breaker is 50 Amp, any 115v item will burn up before kicking the breaker. Highly suggest using a power strip with a built in breaker for protection.
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Old 11-22-2020, 09:16 AM   #9
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These split the 50a service so you get two 20a receptacles or a 20 and 30 respectively. The others would seem to just pull from one leg.

https://www.amazon.com/Conntek-Y1450...8012FY4SDTGF4V

https://www.amazon.com/Conntek-14963.../dp/B002MGSNNQ

Or you could just make one for about half the cost.
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Old 11-22-2020, 10:24 AM   #10
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I’d have serious, serious reservations about an “electrician” who couldn’t resolve such a simple problem.
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Old 11-22-2020, 12:07 PM   #11
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I agree. There are Electricians and then there are "Electricians". Also why couldn't the Electrician wire this up for you that you needed to come to the Forum for help. He ( or she ) really doesn't sound very professional.
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Old 11-22-2020, 03:04 PM   #12
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Just remember the circuit breaker is 50 Amp, any 115v item will burn up before kicking the breaker. Highly suggest using a power strip with a built in breaker for protection.
Just so you know - a 50A RV outlet is 120V/240V while a standard 15/20A household outlet is 120V (not 115V or 110V anymore!). The RV outlet provides 2 separate lines of 120V power - anything you plug into that line will be limited by the current it needs to operate. It has 50A available to it, but if it only needs 5A to operate then that's all it will draw. The only way an appliance will "burn up" is if it develops an internal short - under normal use this should not happen. To eliminate this issue simply put a protected outlet between your source and load...
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Old 11-22-2020, 03:31 PM   #13
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In construction what we use for power distribution is what's called a " Spider Box" .

It is a metal box approx 16" x16" x 6" tall . It has a 220v twist lock recepticle for power supply and 6 fused 120v /15amp GFIC outlets.

We used power tools in rain storms with no issues . For protection this is the Safest way to distribute temporary power.

They can be rented from any large rental company.
The 220v power supply cord can also be rented .
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Old 11-22-2020, 05:57 PM   #14
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Just so you know - a 50A RV outlet is 120V/240V while a standard 15/20A household outlet is 120V (not 115V or 110V anymore!). The RV outlet provides 2 separate lines of 120V power - anything you plug into that line will be limited by the current it needs to operate. It has 50A available to it, but if it only needs 5A to operate then that's all it will draw. The only way an appliance will "burn up" is if it develops an internal short - under normal use this should not happen. To eliminate this issue simply put a protected outlet between your source and load...
I think that’s what Jrollf was saying - in the event of a malfunction (short) the appliance and/or wiring will burn up long before tripping a 50a breaker.
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