Question about reducing a 50amp down to a 30amp cord for 30amp service

[Tony4qts]

I know when I had a class A that was a 50 amp service that if I had to I could “dog bone” it down to a 30 safely. Now that I have a motorhome that takes a 30 amp service can I use a 50amp “dog bone” that reduces down to a 30amp safely with a 30amp surge protector? I just want to plug it in to keep the battery charged but I don’t want to fry my inverter.
Thanks for any helpful advice

[gljurczyk]

Originally Posted by Tony4qts

I know when I had a class A that was a 50 amp service that if I had to I could “dog bone” it down to a 30 safely. Now that I have a motorhome that takes a 30 amp service can I use a 50amp “dog bone” that reduces down to a 30amp safely with a 30amp surge protector? I just want to plug it in to keep the battery charged but I don’t want to fry my inverter.
Thanks for any helpful advice

Yes, just plug in the 50 with the dog bone, I do it all the time.

[twinboat]

Yes it will work.

The dogbone, plugged into the 50 amp 240 volt outlet, will only use one 120 volt leg to the 30 amp female end.

Here is a Xray view. I circled the unused line.

[Dom]

50 amp service will still be 120 volt.

[Tony4qts]

Thank you all for the helpful responses

[KanzKran]

If you’re uncomfortable plugging your 30A cord into a 50A circuit, you could always replace the 50A 2-pole breaker with a 30A 2-pole breaker and still use the dog bone.

That would enable a guest to use the circuit for a 50A coach, though at a 7.2kW capacity rather than at 12kW. Your 30A cord would be protected by the coach’s 30A breaker either way, but if it bothered you, there’s nothing wrong with dropping down in ampacity on the supply breaker.

[Frutza]

If you’re uncomfortable plugging your 30A cord into a 50A circuit, you could always replace the 50A 2-pole breaker with a 30A 2-pole breaker and still use the dog bone.
DO NOT DO THIS!! 30AMP IS NOT A 220 CICUIT
2 pole breaker will be a 220 circuit 30 Amp is a 110 volt circuit

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Frutza

If you’re uncomfortable plugging your 30A cord into a 50A circuit, you could always replace the 50A 2-pole breaker with a 30A 2-pole breaker and still use the dog bone.
DO NOT DO THIS!! 30AMP IS NOT A 220 CICUIT
2 pole breaker will be a 220 circuit 30 Amp is a 110 volt circuit

The breaker doesn't change the voltage. If it was a double 50 amp breaker, It was and is 240 volts.

Replacing it with a double 30 amp breaker makes it a 30 amp 240 volt service.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Dom

50 amp service will still be 120 volt.

Not quite true,

http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Not quite true,

The 50-amp 120/240-volt 3 pole 4

Attachment 240903

Good info in the Link.

If you Do Not Understand Electrical Info - Get an ELECTRICIAN - The forum will often lead you down the WRONG path.

JMHO,

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Frutza

If you’re uncomfortable plugging your 30A cord into a 50A circuit, you could always replace the 50A 2-pole breaker with a 30A 2-pole breaker and still use the dog bone.
DO NOT DO THIS!! 30AMP IS NOT A 220 CICUIT
2 pole breaker will be a 220 circuit 30 Amp is a 110 volt circuit

this is the part that is not true.

Please do not give out DIY electric advice. Reducing the 50 2 pole to a 30 2 pole is VERY safe and the only way to do it properly per the NEC. (National Electric Code). Dog bones are actually not per code because the proper amperage protection is for the wire. If you have 50 amp protection on a 30 amp wire it is not to code. The wire protection is supposed to be at the head of the service not back in the RV. Dog bones are safe just not technically correct.

[Tony4qts]

Ok, now I’m confused again lol so can’t I or can I safely plug into a 50amp and dog bone it with a surge protector down to a 30amp?

[Spk64]

Yes, you can use the dog bone.

[Frutza]

Sorry if I spread confusion, I was quoting the previous post
By all means use the dog bone, do not try to change the outlet unless your positive how to wire it