Denny & Jami wrote:
smkettner wrote:
Denny & Jami wrote:
CA Traveler before you start saying it's safe to hook to a 30 to 50 I suggest you look at the way some of the 30 amp cords are connected to the inside the trailer.
My initial connection is in a metal J-box.
You may have a metal J-box but how are the wires connected inside of that box, are they just wire nuts that came come loose over time or never tight to begin with. Loose connections cause heat that raises the temp in the wires causing more resistance causing more amp draw and more heat. Eventually the wire outside the box will start to melt causing a fire hazard. If you are on a 30 and breaker like your system is designed to have you have a better chance of the breaker tripping. You don't have to have a short for a breaker to trip, if you draw over 80% of a breakers rated value for a long period of time it will trip on internal heat just like its designed to do, it's a built in safety factor. I'm not guessing on this stuff, my business was located in a town next to a COE lake and I did a lot of service calls on trailers for just this kind problem. Do what ever you want but remember there are other RVs parked close to you don't make your problem their problem.
As far as EMS or surge protectors I don't use one but they came be useful and helpful if you aren't sure of your incoming power, I always check ours before I plug in if it looks a little less than ideal. I do use a 20amp surge receptacle for the entertainment center to protect our electronic equipment from lightning. They are a one time protection so you have to check them to make sure the green light is still on, if it's not it did its job and will have to be replaced. It will still work but you will no longer be protected.
Denny
Good to clarify your post. Any rig that is not maintained in good condition is subject to various problems. But I contend that a 30A rig drawing 30A and it's cord drawing an additional 20A due to a partial short in the cord to CB wiring is a remote possibility. But should it happen the 30A wiring would be overloaded when on a 50A pedestal plug.
Of course a 30A rig drawing 22A could also have problems with faulty wiring.
BTW Many times some of us have posted that wiring should be checked/tightened periodically because a rig unlike a house vibrates down the road.
