Forum Discussion

mowtown's avatar
mowtown
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014

50amp to 30amp

I have a 50amp receptacle that's powered by my 10k generator and I want to add a 30amp box so that my friend can plug his camper in too, I know how to do the wiring but will his camper have a problem using a 110volt 50amp leg off of my box?
  • people plug 30 amp RVs into 50 amp outlets all the time with no problem. In theory I guess the 30 amp cord can potentially be overpowered, but the RV should have a 30 amp breaker??? I made a box with two 30 amp pigtail outlets and a 50 amp male plug so I could pick the side that had the best power.
    bumpy
  • It'll be fine, the coach has a breaker to protect against overloads and the cord is big enough to trip a 50 if it would short out.
  • and he'll only have 30amp. not 50. cause he will only have 1 leg.
    his unit is designed to consume 30 max. so thats what it might do.
  • Thanks,s for the help, when I get out to my property Im going to try it out. Now I just need to figure out which leg on my 50amp plug operates my a/c so that I don't tap into that one.
  • Hi,

    You can find out what leg powers the A/C by finding the circuit breaker and with the power off, ground one circuit breaker, then look for the leg that is grounded with a ohm meter.

    The 10,000 watt generator should make about 90 amps at 120 volts, so if balanced perfectly, should be no problem powering both rigs. However it would be possible to overload one leg of the generator, so it is wise to figure out what leg your A/C is on.

    Fred.
  • sdetweil wrote:
    and he'll only have 30amp. not 50. cause he will only have 1 leg.
    his unit is designed to consume 30 max. so thats what it might do.


    are you sure that one leg won't have 50 amps?
    bumpy
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    This is neat diagram of how the CAMPGROUND PEDESTALs are wired.



    The 30AMP is wired just like a standard 120VAC RECEPTACLE but has larger wiring and is fed by a 30AMP breaker in the panel.

    As long as your 30AMP SERVICE lash-up tests out like shown here you will be fine...


    Home wiring LASH-UPS are best done by brother-in-laws and friends. Then when you blow up your friends trailer appliances you only end up with a fist fight. If you have a qualified electrician wire up it then he will be bonded and if he blows up your friends appliances then his insurance will pay for it... Tread lightly...

    Roy Ken
  • Bumpyroad wrote:
    sdetweil wrote:
    and he'll only have 30amp. not 50. cause he will only have 1 leg.
    his unit is designed to consume 30 max. so thats what it might do.


    are you sure that one leg won't have 50 amps?
    bumpy


    we quibble over what the word 'have' means. The breaker will support a 50amp load, yes. but the load from this RV designed for 30 amp service would (should) never be more than 30amp with everything on full. A light bulb (<1 amp) plugged into this one leg will still work.. not like 50 amp is FORCED on the end devices.