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tim1970's avatar
tim1970
Explorer
Mar 13, 2017

30amp power cord

I was wondering if anybody that has an RV wired for 50amp service carries a 30amp cord for when they know they will be at a campsite that only supports 30amps. It seems like it would be better than having to use the large 50amp cord. I guess I also need to know if you can even buy a 30 amp cord that will plug into an RV designed for 50 amps. (Is the connector the same?)

Thanks

Tim

30 Replies

  • If you have the storage room and no weight issues.... personally I carry two 30 amp cords...25 and 10 feet.
  • I have both a 30A cord and a 30A adapter. But the thought of dragging that 30A cord around means it stays home 100% of the time. I use it when the camper is in the driveway being loaded up for a trip. But it goes in the house garage before we leave.
  • The RV side connector would be different for the different capacity inlets. For that matter, there could be a few different styles of 50A and 30A RV-side connectors; they aren't specifically standardized by the NEC. Also, many 30A RVs and presumably at least some 50A RVs do not have removable cords, and so have no RV-side connector. (A 30A connector needs two 30A current carrying contacts plus the safety ground; a 50A one needs three 50A current carrying contacts plus the safety ground. Those are significantly different requirements, and so different connectors are used.)

    It would be entirely possible to build or have built a 30A cord for a 50A RV, using the appropriate RV side connector and a 30A plug and appropriate (30A) cabling. I'm not sure I would think it worthwhile to get or make one, speaking personally, but it's certainly not an entirely outlandish thing to do.
  • I have a 50amp to 30 amp reducer that I use with the 50 amp cord.. For me, it is easy, I just hit a button and it rolls up ! :B
  • I bought a 25' Marinco yellow 30 amp power cord that has a 50 amp connector at the RV end that plugs directly into my 50 amp 5er and has a 30 amp plug at the park end. We have frequently stayed at an RV park in Colorado that only has 30 amp service. And at over 8'500', it is often 40 degrees or colder even on summer mornings. That 50 amp cord is a real chore on those travel mornings when packing up. The 30 is much, much easier. I will even use it in 50 amp parks if the weather is mild and we will not need A/C.

    Like this.
  • I know that the connector at the campsite is different for 50amp vs 30amp, but what about the connector on my RV. If I bought and 30amp cord, would I also need to buy an adapter to allow it to hook to my RV?
  • Nope, having to mess with the 50 amp cord isn't that big of a deal. Kind of a pain to roll up when it's cold, but not that much.
  • the connector is not the same but I figured if I ever bought a 50 amp RV I would get a 30 amp cord with adapters (or the correct fittings) to use 99% of the time so I wouldn't have to wrestle the 50 amp anaconda in cold weather.
    bumpy
  • I carry a 50' 30A cord in my 50A DP for times when only 30A is offered. My EMS ensures I don't pull more than that in those situations. The connectors are not the same, so I carry adapters as well. In one unusual situation, I had to use both my 50A and 30A cords to reach a pedestal not very close to my RV for power in a longer site.

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