When my 30 amp FW is at home, I have two electrical options. I can plug in close with a 25' 12 ga cord, into a 15 amp circuit.I also have a 30amp circuit, just for a rarely used air comp. It would require a 50' 12 ga cord to reach.I have a 30 to 15 amp 6" dogbone, that I use to hookup.My question is, will I get much more amperage from the further away 30 amp circuit, than the closer 15 amp, since I still need the 30-15 dog bone to hook up?Will I only get 15 amps no matter what, since the dogbone is reducing to 15 amps?I would appeciate any help or thoughts.Jerry

Hi Jerry,The dogbone won't reduce the amperage--but it is probably rated for 15 amps. If you use it for more than a short time at a 30 amp draw it may melt.A #12 cord is limited to 20 amps.Are you certain the 30 amp circuit is 110 volts?If so, make up a #10 cord and perhaps add a proper 30 amp outlet to the air compressor.

The 30 amp circuit is 110/120. It is a 30 amp breaker in my home entrance, that is wired just a short distance to my compressor, with a normal 2 outlet plug in.The electrician just used a 12 ga wire to the outlet, about 10 feet.Is there a heavier dogbone that I could buy, such as 30-30 or 30-20? I have only seen the 30-15.I normally just plug in for charging the battery, and using the fridge on electric, when getting ready to go camping, otherwise I'd consider putting in a proper RV outlet.Thanks for your reply pianotuna!Jerry

The electrician made an error when he used 12 AWG wire and a duplex outlet for a 30amp circuit. 30 amps requires 10 AWG wire minimum for a 30 amp circuit.Here are the wiring requirements:15amp - 14 AWG20amp - 12 AWG30amp - 10 AWGAlso, a 30 amp circuit requires a different receptacle compared to your normal 15/20 amp duplex receptacle.If it were me, I'd connect a new 30amp breaker, 10 AWG wire and dedicated 30amp outlet for the RV, and I'd replace the 12 AWG wire and duplex outlet for the compresser.

Jim, thanks for the reply. I don't know why he just used 12 AWG. I thought maybe due to the short distance, and the air compressor being just a 2hp small unit.I have been using this outlet, with the 50' 12 ga extension, thinking this is giving more amps than the outlet on the front of my garage, that is only on a 15 amp breaker, and 14 AWG wiring.I may eventually do the 30 amp 10 AWG, just for my RV, but just not going to get it done this year. I am somewhat overwhelmed with other priorities, that just never seem to let up.Jerry

I would rewire with 10AWG and get a 10AWG extension from Harbor Freight and cut off the ends and use the ends you need to make it work.

Home plug-in options? | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

TucsonJim
Explorer II
May 10, 2014
The electrician made an error when he used 12 AWG wire and a duplex outlet for a 30amp circuit. 30 amps requires 10 AWG wire minimum for a 30 amp circuit.

Here are the wiring requirements:

15amp - 14 AWG
20amp - 12 AWG
30amp - 10 AWG

Also, a 30 amp circuit requires a different receptacle compared to your normal 15/20 amp duplex receptacle.

If it were me, I'd connect a new 30amp breaker, 10 AWG wire and dedicated 30amp outlet for the RV, and I'd replace the 12 AWG wire and duplex outlet for the compresser.
MFL
Nomad II
May 10, 2014
The 30 amp circuit is 110/120. It is a 30 amp breaker in my home entrance, that is wired just a short distance to my compressor, with a normal 2 outlet plug in.

The electrician just used a 12 ga wire to the outlet, about 10 feet.

Is there a heavier dogbone that I could buy, such as 30-30 or 30-20? I have only seen the 30-15.

I normally just plug in for charging the battery, and using the fridge on electric, when getting ready to go camping, otherwise I'd consider putting in a proper RV outlet.

Thanks for your reply pianotuna!

Jerry
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 10, 2014
Hi Jerry,

The dogbone won't reduce the amperage--but it is probably rated for 15 amps. If you use it for more than a short time at a 30 amp draw it may melt.

A #12 cord is limited to 20 amps.

Are you certain the 30 amp circuit is 110 volts?

If so, make up a #10 cord and perhaps add a proper 30 amp outlet to the air compressor.

Forum Discussion

Home plug-in options?

13 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Plugging in at home?

Plugging in at home

TT plugged in at home?

Reverse Polarity code When Plugging in at Home

Plugged in or out