Can a 20A load be safely run through a 15A adapter? I want to be able to run our A/C off my 120V x 20A 3000W generator without a meltdown, and I know a 15A plug will physically fit in the socket, but I wonder if the extra current will cause problems.I have one of these dogbones that I bought for $8. The description says, "Connects a 30 amp RV power cord to a 15 amp shore power box, outlet, or generator with 15-20 amp duplex receptacle." But I think they are only saying it will physically fit, not that it is electrically rated.30 Amp Female to 15 Amp Male RV Pigtail Power AdapterThe title on this item says it is rated at 20A but the picture clearly shows that it's only rated at 15A. Maybe Home Depot is mistaken, or maybe a 15A adapter can be safely used for 20A?PowerFit 20A 120-Volt to 30A RV Outlet AdapterI found this item which is clearly rated for 20A; It even has the 20A sideways blade. But it costs $33. I'd rather not have to buy another RV thingamabob if I don't have to, or if there is a $10 solution.Conntek RV Generator Adapter with 20 Amp Straight Blade Male 5-20P Plug To RV 30 Amp Female ConnectorHere's an inexpensive adapter. The description claims either 15 or 20A. The model name is AD3020 which to me implies 30A to 20A. But like the Home Depot item you can see it is stamped with a 15A rating.RV ADAPTER AD3020The same item is available on Amazon, where only 15A is listed.Is my only option the $33 unit or can my 15A dogbone be safely used with a 20A load?

Strictly speaking I'd say no you shouldn't run 20A through a 15A adapter but given the ambiguity in what I've found with other adapters I'm not clear there is a problem doing this or not. The cable on the dogbone I have looks very thick, so maybe it can handle the extra amps?

If I were you, I'd stick with the Conntek, beefier unit. Especially if you're going to run the air.The one above is likely to overheat melt, and just aren't made as well to start with!Other people will chime in with other "dogbone" solutions too!

cdevidal wrote:Can a 20A load be safely run through a 15A adapter?I think you're just going to have to try it and see. And by 'see', I mean making sure the plugs aren't getting hot. It'll be obvious if the generator won't do it.Do you know for sure your air is 20a?

Ah noWhat they are talking about is an outlet that is both 15 and 20 amps. A 20 amp plug has the two prongs at 90 degrees, not in parallel like a 15.Outlets that are rated 15/20 can take either type of plug.The 30 to 15 really are 15, not 15 pretending to be 20

I do have a 30A female to 50A male dogbone, and here is a 50A female to 20A male adapter for $12.47. That may be an option if I have to buy something.GE Industrial Dept. AD5020 Mobile Home-Motor Home Adapter-RV ADAPTER

Safe to run 20A through a 15A adapter? | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

SlowBro
Explorer III
Mar 01, 2015
TyroneandGladys wrote:
SUCIDAL not to have a CO2 alarm in your RV any time you run a generator.

It's a brand new detector :-)
K3WE
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

My daughter is a CO survivor. Safety first.

Wind currents can do some very strange things. Camper CO poisonings happen from time to time- AND from generators sitting OUTSIDE of the camper!
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015
SUCIDAL not to have a CO2 alarm in your RV any time you run a generator. And be VERY careful with a portable not to have it near any tents.
ScottG
Nomad
Feb 28, 2015
deleted
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 27, 2015
Hi,

My daughter is a CO survivor. Safety first.

cdevidal wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Or, I can use the generator. I prefer to not do so. I will NOT sleep with the generator running.

Is that because of noise or safety or theft or...?
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2015
cdevidal wrote:
By the way, you sorted that by lowest rating.
Yes, that's how it came up. I didn't realize it was sorted. Perhaps HD should speak with their web designer.

Good luck with it.
SlowBro
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2015
2oldman wrote:
If these reviews are any indication, it may not get the job done for very many camping trips.

By the way, you sorted that by lowest rating. If you sort by highest you'll see many five stars. 77% of 38 people recommend it, and it's got an average of four out of five stars. Also two five star ratings on Amazon. Not bad for $80. I wasn't expecting much, but it's exceeded my expectations.
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 27, 2015
I have never seen a "true" 30 amp to 20 amp adapters. The one I see are NEMA 5-15P for plug. A "true" 20 amp are 5-20P. One blade is perpendicular to the other.
A good choice is the short dogbone style. It is still borderline and will wear out fast.
adapter
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2015
cdevidal wrote:

Would this be considered a dogbone?

YES

the other kind where you have a round or triangle shaped "Block" with a plug on one side and an outlet on the other,, I call that a PUCK adapter cause if you cut the pins off it's a hockey puck.

Dog bone.
There are two bulbous ends (plug and outlet) with a skinny "bone" (the pig tail lead) between them.

Lay it on a table and trace around it and you draw a dog bone.

Hence the name.
SlowBro
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2015
It's already a sunk cost so whether or not it lasts would be water under the bridge. I'm not thinking I'll go many nights anyway, just here and there.

I also have access to a Briggs and Stratton 5000W I could use at any time, but if I recall it has 110V and 220V outlets and no 30A RV outlets, so I'm back to my original question of how to run 20A of load through a 15A adapter. (That was resolved by the way; I found a rubber adapter and mentioned that previously.)

As for the outlet rating, the manual says it's 20A.

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Safe to run 20A through a 15A adapter?

33 Replies

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