30 amp to 50 amp conversion

I would like to thank all of you for your great suggestions. Here are some answers to questions. On this trip it is the pedestal breaker that is flipping. However the trailer breaker has thrown before. as a short term fix I will try the 50 amp adapter cord, I have one and never thought to use it. A replacement panel is not to pricey about 165.00 but more than cost is I don’t want to cut up the wall where it is mounted.. That would be a possible winter project. I have found if your nice you can ask the experts or those who have the experience and work your way through about any problem. Thanks again all!

first thing ,I,change your breaker ,they do go bad after some trips they weak,en easy try, and takes about ten minutes , take your old breaker to lowes and match.

When we have electric hookup, I run ac, microwave, TV, water heater, and others, sometimes all at the same time on my 30amp, and rarely trip a breaker, in that rare case, it's usually an individual breaker, not a main.
You may be looking at doing something unnecessary.

No need to change the existing panel. Install a new 50A panel with a 30A CB to the existing panel which becomes a subpanel. Move larger load existing circuits to the new panel as needed.

If the RV has a built in gen then additional changes may be needed.

System for 50 amp is not just 120 volts to the rig. Properly wired it is 120/240 four wire.
I would be checking out your existing system. Many times a loose connection can cause nuisance tripping of circuit breakers. Check connection is the 120 volt power distribution center paying close attention to the insulation on the individual conductors. Melted insulation is a good sign of excessive heat caused by loose connection.

If you want to use the hair dryer, turn off the AC and electric water heater element first. Drying hair doesn't take so long that the RV will get hot.

cavie wrote:
Lots of $$$$$. You need new Electric panel, shore power cord, added circuit breakers, Transfer switch if you have a gen, an Electrician.

Money yes but it shouldn't be that bad.

Everything is still running 120v.

Swap out the panel and connect the breakers to one leg or the other. Assuming you aren't adding a 2nd air/con unit, I would put the air/con on one leg and everything else on the other. If the panel uses the same type, you could use your old breakers (assuming they are in good shape but they aren't that expensive). Maybe $150 for a new panel.

Yes, you need a new cord and inlet plug. Say $50 for the inlet and $200 for two 25ft cords.

Most 30amp RVs don't have a generator built in.

So about $400...round up to $500 for misc hardware, caulk, etc...

If you are comfortable wiring outlets in your home, this is within the DIY range of projects.

If you aren't comfortable with AC power, I'm thinking an electrician for 2-3hrs...and total cost should still be under $1000.

If you have access to 50amp pedestals most of the time, it would be a nice upgrade as you don't have to pay attention when running the microwave or you could leave the water heater on electric while the air/con is running.

If the breaker that trips is the one at the pedestal, the problem is not on your rig, and the expense of converting all that stuff will be unnecessary.

If the pedestal breaker trips, it is probably because it is worn out and needs to be replaced. Every time a breaker trips, it gets a wee bit weaker. Eventually it will trip at the drop of a hat. If this is the case, besides breaker replacement, a cheap fix is a 50 amp to 30 amp pigtail that’s will enable you to plug in your existing 30 amp cord to the 50 amp circuit.

Your AC draws about 15 amps. If you run a hair drier (5 amps) and a coffee maker (5 more amps) and the microwave (another 7amps) along with every light in the house, it it true you can exceed the 30 amp capacity of your electrical system. In which case, you might find that trading up to a rig already wired for 50 amps is cheaper than rewiring your current one.

Lots of $$$$$. You need new Electric panel, shore power cord, added circuit breakers, Transfer switch if you have a gen, an Electrician.

Which breaker is tripping?