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tyoungs's avatar
tyoungs
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014

3 prong 50 amp plug to 4 prong 50 amp ????

We lost a good camping friend last night to a sudden heart attack and will be going up to their place to help out with the family/wake/funeral. He has a 3 prong 50 amp outlet on side of garage which I assume is a std dryer type 220 outlet (can't check because we are not there yet). Is there an adapter to go from 3 prong 220V to the 4 prong outlet we use at campground? Just wondering if anyone has done this and if adapter is available. Will use the 30 amp outlet in his barn if this is not recommended (and would check any adapter set-up with my surge guard before plugging in coach anyway).

Thanks for advice.
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  • I_rv's avatar
    I_rv
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    do not use it,unless you want to wreck your electrical system, just use 30 to 15 amp adapter and plug into a 15 or 20 amp 120 volt outlet.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Oct 06, 2014
    3 prong = 2 hot legs and a ground, designed for a single 220v appliance like a welder. 4 prong = 2 hot legs, a ground and a neutral. Since neutral and ground aren't bonded (cross-connected) in the RV, the outlet won't work without a neutral wire. Since you likely won't be running a/c's up north, use an adapter to use the 30A and you will be fine.

    Sorry about your friend and wish that you were going camping under better circumstances.
  • tyoungs's avatar
    tyoungs
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    Just as I suspected, not recommended to go from 3 wire 50 amp to 4 wire - I know the 30 amp in the barn is correct as he plugged his camper into it all the time, and yes, will use correct adapter and surge guard to hook to 30 amp
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Oct 06, 2014
    TX AG wrote:
    I am sorry for your loss.

    DO NOT plug into a 220V dryer outlet. The 4 prong cord on your RV is actually 2 separate 120V circuits. If you do not already have one, you can pickup an adapter to plug your RV into a 30 amp 120V outletat Camping world or Walmart.


    I'm no electrician, but most houses don't have 30amp 120 volt outlets do they? Most are 15 amp.
  • TX_AG's avatar
    TX_AG
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    I am sorry for your loss.

    DO NOT plug into a 220V dryer outlet. The 4 prong cord on your RV is actually 2 separate 120V circuits. If you do not already have one, you can pickup an adapter to plug your RV into a 30 amp 120V outletat Camping world or Walmart.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Oct 06, 2014
    That 3 prong 50 amp outlet may not have a neutral. And an adapter would not get you properly connected. Don't use it.
    Use the 30 if he has one. But check it carefully before you plug into it to make sure it is 120 vac and wired correctly.

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