My 30 amp to 15 amp adapter

Problem with the "hockey puck" adapters as mentioned above, is that unless you maintain it and make sure the contact surfaces are clean and shiny, it *can* overheat under higher current draw. Dogbone style adapters can do the same thing at the end that plugs into a pedestal or recept. at home. But if a puck style also has dirty contacts in the recept. side and poor contact, it can heat up more than a dogbone style can due to close proximity of the line & load sides of the adapter.

I only use a puck style adapter at home when I've moved our TT in front of the house the evening before a trip to keep the fridge on electric. (It's normally plugged into 30 amps in the carport.)

One thing you should always do is make sure the power you are plugging into is off or the main breaker in the RV is off otherwise over time it will cause pitting and dirt buildup on the contact surfaces of an adapter and overheat. Always keep your shore power cord plug blades clean and shiny.

One thing to know about pedestal recepts. is that sometimes they can be in really rough shape due to frequency of use and they abuse they get (esp. in 30 amp recepts.) I carry a 30 to 30 amp dogbone adapter for times when the pedestal recept. is clearly in bad shape and there is no option of moving elsewhere. This way *if* the connection to the pedestal overheats, hopefully only the adapter will will go up in smoke & flames. I've seen a couple of pics of shore power cords melted beyond oblivion for several feet away from a pedestal tho.

wing_zealot wrote:
I've used the same hockey puck adapter (includin using the AC, micro &all other accessories) for about 15 years.

i am pushing sat least 20 years on mine.

Another factor that comes in play that most don't think about is the electrical outlet you are plugging into. (this goes for your home outlets as well) Depending on quality of the outlets over time they begin to wear to the point they do not grasp the blades of your male plug properly. Thus high resistance.

There are two type of male blades on plugs. One is a solid blade and another is a folded blade that can be opened with a thin screwdriver or knife blade to make it fit tighter. On the solid blade type I've tried placing a slight twist on the blades with some success.

The dogbone type is better though if the 110v plug isn't a 90 deg type you can help to offset the weight of the cord with zip-ties.

I'm thinking that with the weight of the cord on one of those they would begin trying to fall or pull out causing a overheating as many have mentioned or causing it to short out.

Adapter plugs don't melt on their own!

They melt from resistance.

Look at the plugs on your adapter. Are they 'shiny gold'?
If they are not and they are dirty black they are causing resistance which melts the plugs.

I use ladies emery boards and routinely get in there and sand those blades back to shiny gold...no melting of plug with clean blades.

That goes for your shore power plug also. This one needs special attention because we all leave them on the ground and they get moisture on them and corrode quickly and often.

The dogbone style is more forgiving in that it's flexible and will allow a fair amount of cord movement and stay firmly connected.

I've used the puck type for years without trouble. Some people have reported the puck type overheating.

wing_zealot wrote:
I've used the same hockey puck adapter (includin using the AC, micro &all other accessories) for about 15 years.

X2

Mine is the same type but may not be the same manufacturer as the one shown. :@

I've used the same hockey puck adapter (includin using the AC, micro &all other accessories) for about 15 years.

I use Hockey puck for 15/30 on occasion.. I also have a dog b one about and a special made converter.. I sometimes home brew