Replacing 30amp male plug

I have two spare male plugs and honestly, I don't like either one. One looks like that Leviton linked above.

I think the wires should be clamped by the screws, not just tightened under a screw head. The Leviton and the other spare have just screws. So, I don't want to use those if I can avoid it. I'm interested in the CAMCO plugs. From what I can tell, at least one of their plugs uses clamping. But it doesn't seem every one they offer is made that way. Would rather get the larger one, if it's the only one that clamps, and cut the handle off if it won't go through the "mouse hole."

I bought a Marinco plug hoping it was better quality.
It wasn't.

It won't make too much difference what male he uses because that's not where his problem starts. Its the female or "OUTLET" he plugs into. I think if he looks at the Camco verses the 830 he will see a difference and know which to use. Look around the camp grounds and see whats there. I just replaced a Camco so they all will go bad sooner or later. MOHO

Hi GordonThree,

The inlets don't fail often. But if the RV'er is not aware of arcing and connects the shore power end first then there will be a slow accumulation of damage. They can melt as well.

My concern is more about damage to the connecting cord. If it gets cut by the local lawn mower, then finding a replacement may not be as easy as walking into Walmart. Or if the RV'er gets distracted and drives off with the cord still connected.... (btw Mea Culpa).

On the other hand sticking with the RV "standard ends" makes it much easier to source a replacement.

I've had both male and female plugs fail when really they should not have. 15 amps on a 30 amp plug should not be an issue, but on one occasion a set of brand new male and female plugs burned on the Neutral.

GordonThree wrote:
How often do marine quality inlets fail? Partly I'm skeptical, partly nervous.

Just buy and carry a spare male plug end for the RV cord. Keep it in your tool kit. The Leviton 830 May be a newer number now, is easily found at Home Depot or Lowes and is a decent plug, much better than the tiny junky Camco plug.

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ProductDetail.jsp?partnumber=830-T&section=42417&minisite=10251

Pocket knife and screwdriver is all you need.

Charles

GordonThree wrote:
How often do marine quality inlets fail? Partly I'm skeptical, partly nervous.


If inlet failure is super common, then I'm lucky it hasn't happened to me yet!

They don't fail. Almost 100% of the time the plug will melt because of resistance. If there were a loose connection in the inlet that could pose a problem but the same could be said inside the panel. Normally there is a junction box just after the mouse hole where the stranded cord switches to Romex for the run to the panel. You could also say this could be a problem. Adding an inlet alleviates the most common problem that the OP is experiencing, a melted plug that is normally from a worn receptacle at a CG. I personally have never heard or read of an inlet failing.

How often do marine quality inlets fail? Partly I'm skeptical, partly nervous.

I sealed up my mousehole with an expensive double locking marine power inlet (lock as in twist-lock and threads, not like a keyed lock)

I put a female twistlock on the end of the cord I cut off, but I also carry a twistlock to rv30a dogbone, so I can use a normal extension cord if need be. My thinking was the cord is far more likely to get damaged than the inlet.

If inlet failure is super common, then I'm lucky it hasn't happened to me yet!

Domromer wrote:
Which store do you think I'll have the best luck at..

Amazon.

Summer / No A/C in the Keys is an Oxymoron.

Salt air corrosion is a given. Smear silicone grease over the assembled clamps INSIDE the plug. Then on the OUTSIDE prongs. Whatever the DOG BONE plugs into should be carefully examined with a flashlight. Shine it into the slots. If the clips are the same color as the Green Hornet's costume replace that duplex receptacle with a 20-anp Home Depot special. Silicone dielectric grease everwhere! People who don't live near HOT HUMID ocean will argue against the silicone GREASE. Radio Shack carries it.

Home Depo has them. All will look cheap. However you can have one sent to the camp ground where your staying. Good idea to carry spare. It will happen again down the road. Running on 15 or 20/25 Amp will cause you more trouble. MO. The Camco is far better built.