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driller's avatar
driller
Explorer
Dec 21, 2016

30 to 50 amp. Problem adapter/converter melting and failing

30 amp service to 50 amp RV. Problem with adapter/converter melting and failing. We have a 2011 CrossRoads Sahara Cruiser CF30ES with 50 amp service. Our last trailer was only 30 amp so that’s what I installed for service. My problem is my trailers 50 amp service is at the rear of the trailer and comes up 10' short of the service box. This requires a 30 amp RV cord to the 50 amp cord with the use of an adapter. My first adapter standard corded 18” failed, I was able to replace the outlet ends but it failed again. I replace with a different style without a cord and it didn’t last 2 months. What’s causing the failure is an additional ceramic safety heater during the winter and running a single AC during the summer. While running the RV’s factory electric fireplace furnace and the additional heater or the AC its drawing too much power for the adapter and causing the 30 amp female from the extra cord and the male end of the adapter to melt. Would an adapter like this https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Wiring/Camco/CAM55025.html solve my problem? As long I plug the 15 amp into a separate breaker!

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  • driller's avatar
    driller
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    RustyJC wrote:
    What size breaker is protecting your 30 amp receptacle? The RV's main breakers won't trip until 50+ amps on either leg. If your 30 amp receptacle isn't protected by a 30 amp breaker, the rig will try to gobble current as long as the receptacle will supply it - the 30 amp breaker would be the limiting factor.

    Rusty


    Noel, I agree with you to about pulling to much load. The breaker is 30 amp and has tripped in the past not all that often but it should have tripped before the trailer lost all power during the night due to the 2 heaters running. I have had 2 adapters begain to fail in the past and they caused the breaker to trip so I replaced them before failure. But this time it melted and didnt trip the breaker. I would upgrade the service to 50 amp! But I have paved over the service line, oops? Not looking forward to ripping out 16' of concret to upgrade the service.
  • justafordguy's avatar
    justafordguy
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    You need to check with a meter and see how much you are drawing. If you can't reduce the load you will need to increase the source to 50 Amp.
  • driller's avatar
    driller
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    Mandalay Parr wrote:
    Possibly a bad connection inside the plug/receptacle.
    Start with replacing the ends or get a new cable and adapter.


    The receptacle is fine it's only at the adapter on the 30 amp plug side! All the signs point to pulling to much power.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Dec 21, 2016
    As Spike Lee would say, "Do the right thing !"

    Upgrade the service to the outlet to match your rig. Buy a 25' 50A extension cord.
  • RustyJC's avatar
    RustyJC
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    What size breaker is protecting your 30 amp receptacle? The RV's main breakers won't trip until 50+ amps on either leg. If your 30 amp receptacle isn't protected by a 30 amp breaker, the rig will try to gobble current as long as the receptacle will supply it - the 30 amp breaker would be the limiting factor.

    Rusty
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    Sounds like you are trying to pull too much current for the 30A wiring and overheating the connections. Better fail there than inside you house or coach. I run a 50A coach on a 30A outlet and cord all the time, and have no problems. Bet I don't try to run two ACs a heater, and a coffee maker and hairdryer all at the same time. And yes, I have burned up a few connections over the years. The rule is if you burn a connector, you are overloading somewhere.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    Granted, there may be something wrong with the power source, but why not run a second utility extension cord to the camper for the extra electric heater? Feed the wire through a hole in the camper somewhere, or though a cracked window if nothing else. Make sure the extension cord is plugged into a different circuit than the one your camper is plugged into.

    I run an external orange construction style 100 foot cord into my camper for using an extra electric ceramic heater, or when using the electric frying pan, or the electric griddle (inside). This never draws power THROUGH the camper wiring.

    In the mean time, consider getting your RV receptical switched over from your current 30 amp to a 50 amp and then get a good 50 amp RV extension cord to reach the extra 10 feet.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 21, 2016
    Yes, it (the device you have a link to) probably would add the needed current but you are asking for a lot of current from a limited source. As soon as something gets even slightly loose, you'll get heat and failure.
    You might remove the words "converter" from your post as it will confuse some into thinking it's your DC converter that's failing.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    Possibly a bad connection inside the plug/receptacle.
    Start with replacing the ends or get a new cable and adapter.

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