shore power in campgrounds

For our 30 amp RV, we can use the 50 amp outlet on the power pedestals. We have a 50 amp to 30 amp RV converter dogbone that we bought from Camping World. Campgrounds rarely have low voltage on their 50 amp systems, so it works like a champ.

Yes, many do just that since 30 amp plugs in power pedestals are often worn out from overuse. That may help with low voltage issues but it is not certain, monitor incoming AC voltage as anything out of the 10% range (below 108Vac & over 132Vac) can cause harm to AC and other delicate electronics.

my last question is can i plug in to 50 amp with 50 to 30 dogbone to up the amp needed

rbs62 wrote:
i was at a state c g in Tenn this week and the 30 amp service didnt putoff the amps i needed my ice maker would not kick the compresser inbut when getting home it worked fine question is was the c g power tower not putting out full amps

You have stated it wrong. It is NOT "amps put out". It is line voltage that was your problem. Your CG did not have the required voltage to run everything on 30 amp service. Your appliances cannot see or measure amps. Doug

TucsonJim wrote:
I always measure the voltage before I hook up. I'd say at least 1/4 of the time, the CG voltage is 110V or less.

That is great but what about the power 30 minutes later or 2 hours later? I use to think it won't happen to me. I had a low power event when I was in the rv and saw the lights dim. Well it cost me a circuit board for the washer. I now don't plug in without using my Surge Gard.
It is cheap insurance. Also be aware that the auto formers and some of the other regulators don't do surge high/low protection.
Bill

rbs62 wrote:
i was at a state c g in Tenn this week and the 30 amp service didn't putoff the amps i needed my ice maker would not kick the compresser inbut when getting home it worked fine question is was the c g power tower not putting out full amps

A few years ago, my SWMbO and I were on our way home from a 3 week trip. We got to Pomona,CA, and after driving from San Louis Obispo CA. We decided to stay at the KOA across from the L.A. County Fairgrounds. At 730pm it was so hot we needed to run the A/C there were so many RV's running their A/C units, The Power plug on the pedestal, was only putting out according to my Volt Meter, less than 100v. more like 90v if I remember correctly. We unplugged and fired up our Gen. Set.

We went to another campground which we belonged to Colorado River Adventures, went to their Cherry Valley campground. The pedestal we hooked up to smelled like it was burn. Had to replace our power cord and converter. At the time our RV was less than 2 years old.

You need a voltmeter at minimum. Especially in situations where CG are under powered, of which your naked eye will not know. Even though your AC and fridge seem to run OK, you may be causing heat damage to them with low voltage. Heat damage is cumulative. It shortens the life of appliances.

I would suggest Progressive Industries Power Protection.

I use a Autoformer and a PI. The Autoformer helps shape available power to keep volts up to acceptable levels and the PI will shut down power to the coach for multiple reasons, one of which is volts below 104 which is the point at which damage will start accruing for major applieances.

I also have a Kill-A-Watt always plugged in by the door for my own sanity, since before I had the PI.

You can look on E-Bay and look up Kill-a-watt, it is a $30 meter that can monitor the input voltage. Many campgrounds with only 30 amp service suffer from low voltage, and that is probably the condition that you have.

Voltage is the pressure and Amperage is the flow. Your site did not have enough voltage (think pressure). Amperage is what will flow into the electric cord as items inside use them. So it had the ability to flow more power, just your ice maker does not like 105 volt power input.

You can buy a Hughes Autoformer, and plug that into the low voltage campground power. When between 115 and 120 volts, it will give a 3 volt boost. Once below 114 volts, then it will boost by about 12 volts. This will make both the compressor in the A/C and your ice maker very happy!

My suggestion: Make more ice before leaving, or buy ice. It is normally pretty cheap to buy the ice, and will not give off heat into the location of the freezer or ice maker. . .

Fred.

I always use a Surge Guard that checks for low voltage or other problems before turning on power to the coach. Last month in Oregon I was at a place where the 50 amp plug would not carrey 25 amp load. I ended up using the 30 amp service. Camp grounds are notorious for low/bad voltage and high water pressure. Most have a disclaimer somewhere on the paperwork you get.
Bill

I have experienced low voltage in many cgs. Usually when hot and lots of ACs are running. Many campgrounds are not set up to handle today's electrical demands in rvs.
I always carry a voltage meter and I have a Hughes Autoformer voltage booster that protects my system from low voltage and spikes.