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Comet_Camper's avatar
Comet_Camper
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013

wiring 50amp connector to 30amp cable question

I want to connect a 50amp female repair connector to a 3 wire (hot, neutral, ground) 30amp cable. Which lugs do I wire to inside the 50amp connector? (I've used 30amps in my 50amp camper with no problems). Ok, I'll give some justification..lol I had a 30amp camper and my daughter installed a 30am service for me for when I visit. I now have a newer camper (2009 Forest River Cross Creek Silver Back) with 50amp service. I had made up a 50 foot 30amp cable for the old camper and now would like to put a 50amp female receptacle on the end. For home use I bought an adapter that goes between the 30amp cable and the 50amp cable, which works well. However, I prefer not to have to haul both heavy cables with me. Is it just a matter of not wiring to one side of the hot lugs? i.e green to ground, white to neutral, black to one side of the hot lugs and the other unconnected (where the red wire would be). Thanks.
  • wittmeba's avatar
    wittmeba
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2013
    I wouldnt let that out of my sight. Sure as heck someone will get their hands on it and think it is a 50 amp cable and start running 50 amps thru it. It will eventually fry the cable and/or connections even though it is only using 1/2 the potential.

    The 30 amp adapter is a better alternative.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jul 10, 2013
    Here is a neat diagram showing what you want to do I think.

    I see the adapter here is feeding both sides of the "HOT" connection from the 30AMP plug...

  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jul 10, 2013
    For PLAN Bs most of us 30AMP Trailer guys carry a standard RV50A-30A and RV 30A-15A long (dogbone) adapters so that we can plug into either 50AMP/30AMP/20AMP service receptacles at the camp ground pedestals... I use my RV30A-15A adapter all the time to connect to my 2KW Honda generator or to an HD extension cord coming my from my house/garage 15AMP receptacle.

    They also make a standard RV30A-50A long (dogbone) adapter that you can use to adapt a 30A service to a 50A RV trailer. However you will only be allowed to us up to 30AMPs of power otherwise the house circuit breakers will trip.

    just my thoughts
    Roy Ken
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2013
    Hi,

    Byronlj has it right.

    The green wire to the green screw, white wire to the silver screw, and black wire to both of the brass screws. Then you will have 120 volts to both of the RV's legs in the RV. Same as the factory made pigtails.

    But also another question. Why not use the 30 amp cord with your factory made 30 to 50 amp adapter?

    If you have a detachable cord, that would explain it. But still, your 50' 30 amp cord should have a 30 amp female on one end to plug in your 50 to 30 amp adapter to.

    Fred.
  • byronlj's avatar
    byronlj
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2013
    Hook your green and white wires to their proper terminals. Run your black wire to L1 and then make an internal pigtail connecting L1 to L2. Make sure you keep your 30a circuit breaker.
    Dave
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 10, 2013
    Hi,

    I'd just use a 30 to 50 pig tail adapter myself.

    Are you planning on replacing the 30 amp outlet with a 50 amp?

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