Community Forums

Martino78 · 07-05-2012, 02:59 PM

Is it ok for me to hook my 30A plug into a 50A adapter and plug into the 50A plug at the campsite? Will it do damage to my electrical equipment? I am sure the 30A breaker will trip of anything is wrong am I right? The reason I want to do this is sometimes when I have my tv, directv, microwave and AC all on the same time it trips the breaker.
Thanks for any advice!
AF Mike

RustyJC · 07-05-2012, 03:06 PM

No, it won't harm anything to plug your 30 amp RV into the 50 amp pedestal recepticle using a properly-wired dogbone adapter. Ultimately, however, you're still limited to 30 amps by the main breaker in your RV's power distribution (breaker) panel.

Rusty

nalcon · 07-05-2012, 08:00 PM

I always use the 50a. It's usually in better shape than the 30a.

Maddawgs · 07-06-2012, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

No, it won't harm anything to plug your 30 amp RV into the 50 amp pedestal recepticle using a properly-wired dogbone adapter. Ultimately, however, you're still limited to 30 amps by the main breaker in your RV's power distribution (breaker) panel.

Rusty

X2 Rusty is correct when plugging in to the 50 amp using a 30 to 50 adapter you will still have access to your 30 amps and not do any damage. I would also suggest a good surge suppressor.
Todd

TXiceman · 07-06-2012, 07:12 AM

With the microwave, A/C, water heater on electric, frig on electric,etc, all you need to do is to add up the amps and you are probably over 30 amps. a 30 amp breaker will run close to 30 amps for a short time, but the longer you push the limits, the hotter the breaker gets. It is a thermally operated device and will eventually trip.

Also, when you are running low voltage, the A/C will draw more amps. The frig and water heater are resistive loads and do not behave as a motor.

Ken

Martino78 · 07-06-2012, 07:19 AM

Thank you all for the great info!

wa8yxm · 07-06-2012, 10:25 AM

TX: I'm not sure if you are trying to warn about possibly pulling more than 30 amps through a 30 amp cord or not.

Fact: If you try to pull more than 30 amps, the main breaker in the RV will trip if you are plugged into 50 amps. If yours is a 30 amp rig, it's a 30 amp rig, no adapter will increase the max amprage as you have your own 30 amp breaker.

Fact 2: in some parks, if they ran a seperate 50 amp line, bigger wire.

Martino78 · 07-06-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

TX: I'm not sure if you are trying to warn about possibly pulling more than 30 amps through a 30 amp cord or not.

Fact: If you try to pull more than 30 amps, the main breaker in the RV will trip if you are plugged into 50 amps. If yours is a 30 amp rig, it's a 30 amp rig, no adapter will increase the max amprage as you have your own 30 amp breaker.

Fact 2: in some parks, if they ran a seperate 50 amp line, bigger wire.

What I have ran into is a lot of parks the breaker at the pedestal tripped when plugged into 30a. If I am plugged into 50A I shouldn't worry about that happening right? I know if I plug into 50 and my rig is 30 I am not going to get 50a.

RustyJC · 07-06-2012, 01:06 PM

Yep, a lot of the pedestal 30 amp breakers (and receptacles as well) are old, weathered and tired. There's every chance these old breakers that have been tripped many times could trip out early (i.e., with a current draw of something less than 30 amps.)

You're operating enough below the capacity of a 50 amp breaker that, assuming it's in good condition, you shouldn't have to worry about tripping it.

Rusty

Martino78 · 07-06-2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

Yep, a lot of the pedestal 30 amp breakers (and receptacles as well) are old, weathered and tired. There's every chance these old breakers that have been tripped many times could trip out early (i.e., with a current draw of something less than 30 amps.)

You're operating enough below the capacity of a 50 amp breaker that, assuming it's in good condition, you shouldn't have to worry about tripping it.

Rusty

Thanks Rusty