using a 30 amp splitter

kelly4hand wrote:
I understand now, and no don't think the cheater plug will work, cus yes the 30 amp plugs both come from same source. Going to have an electrician look at changing plug from 30 to a 50....or I guess according to the RV salesman, just not ever run both a/c 's at the same time..?...hmmm

This leads me to believe that you have a 30A rig - correct?

If so upgrading to 50A is a different adventure then using the Cheater Cord.

I understand now, and no don't think the cheater plug will work, cus yes the 30 amp plugs both come from same source. Going to have an electrician look at changing plug from 30 to a 50....or I guess according to the RV salesman, just not ever run both a/c 's at the same time..?...hmmm

Roadpilot wrote:
It's not something you could rely on. If you had a 50 amp load going to the two 30 amp outlets wired in parallel, the resistances on the two legs would have to be matched perfectly, otherwise the current would tend to be drawn from the oe with the least total resistance. That would trip the breaker and when that breaker goes the second would also go as the load would shift to it.

It's similar to having to power supplies load share when in parallel. They won't unless you add some resistance (like or'ing diodes).

While what you said is correct that is not how the Cheater Cord works. It does not connect the 2 hot leads together but rather a 50A rig can draw up to 30A from either hot wire which are protected by independent 30A CBs. Resistance is not a factor.

The Cheater Cord does parallel the 2 neutrals in the adapter and the draw on each does involve resistance/impedance and there are no CBs on the neutrals to trip.

kelly4hand wrote:
Here is link to the cord

http://m.ebay.com/itm/311359078481?nav=SEARCH

Notation is advertisement

.......requires two separate circuits. Always check pedestal power for proper polarity prior to plugging in this adapter.

Thanks for the pic.

You should be able to get 30a from each leg of the 50a service, but not 50a. See if this thread is of any value.

This thread belongs in Tech Issues.

kelly4hand wrote:
I see....the power pole that the 30 amp plugs come off of, ( and there is actually 4- 30 amp plugs in total) the box says " general duty, 200 amp 240 V.AC MAX HP 50 " if that helps any.....i don't understand the boat comment

Because in boating world/dockside with power it is common to use this double 30A to 50A adapter because the 30A are not wired from same hot leg. One will be wired from L1 and other will be wired from L2 so that when you plug in the double 30A to 50A you are getting balance power

Not knowing how CG pedestal 30A is wired I would not want to have 50A with both hot leads from same leg

With the notation '200amp 240 V.AC MAX HP 50' and 4 30a more than likely 2 hot legs were used.........but which 2 are on same and which 2 are on other????????

That 4 outlet power pedestal is for 4 different 30A RVs to use

It's not something you could rely on. If you had a 50 amp load going to the two 30 amp outlets wired in parallel, the resistances on the two legs would have to be matched perfectly, otherwise the current would tend to be drawn from the oe with the least total resistance. That would trip the breaker and when that breaker goes the second would also go as the load would shift to it.

It's similar to having to power supplies load share when in parallel. They won't unless you add some resistance (like or'ing diodes).

Here is link to the cord

http://m.ebay.com/itm/311359078481?nav=SEARCH

I see....the power pole that the 30 amp plugs come off of, ( and there is actually 4- 30 amp plugs in total) the box says " general duty, 200 amp 240 V.AC MAX HP 50 " if that helps any.....i don't understand the boat comment

First you should understand that 50A is 2 50A 120V circuits for 100A total plus 240V capable and most RVs don't have 240V appliances. It's referred to as 50A 120/240V 3 pole 4 wire 50HZ.

The Cheater Cord as it's known will at most supply 2 30A 120V circuits which is a lot of power, but not 50A worth. And the 2 plugs may/may not be wired for 240V capable.

The Cheater Cord is often sold for 30A+20A plugs. The 20A plug is often a GFCI and will immediately trip.

The story is much longer and there are many posts on this subject. The Cheater Cord does work in some cases but it's not without issues and safety concerns.