I've had lots of TT with 30 amp shore power cords, so I naturally have a 30 amp RV box on the side of my pole barn. Now I'm brand new to a Class A and it's 50 amp cord. I just ordered a dog bone adapter to convert the 50 to a 30, but what I'm wondering is, do I lose half of my MH power? Or does it all power up and I just cant use both A/C's?

you'll have 30-amps to play with, all A/C appliances will work but only 30-amps worth at a time.

30a is 3600 watts, 50 amp is 12,000 watts.Two air conditioners will be marginal and allow about nothing else if it even works. Fridge and water on propane and give your battery an hour+ to fully charge first. Otherwise yes all items are available for use to the limit of 3600 watts. For near continuous use it is best to limit to 24 amps (80%).

You ran on 30 amp before no difference now, manage your power usage.

Everything will work but you won't have as much power (amps) to play with. Turn too many things on at the same time and the breaker feeding the barn will trip.

JimInMich wrote:Or does it all power up and I just cant use both A/C's?That pretty well sums it up. With a 30 amp supply you get one leg at 30 amps or 3,600 watts of power. With a 50 amp supply you get two legs at 50 amps or 12,000 watts of power. With a 30 to 50 dogbone, both 50 amp legs in the MH will have power but will have to split the 30 amps or 3,600 watts.

50 amp female to 30 amp male shore power cord question

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 05, 2016
Opion 2. Everythign gets power but yes. Only one A/C and you may have to restrict use of Microwave and ELectric water heater at same time as well.

Do it, usually about half the summer and 2/3 of the winter myself.
parkmanaa
Explorer
Oct 04, 2016
Guess I am too self-centered. We use our Class A (50 amp) MH for guests, sometimes for up to a week.
Would not want to try to explain each time how they need to manager the power.

I'll get my nose out of it now......................
JimInMich
Explorer
Oct 03, 2016
parkmanaa wrote:
usersmanual wrote:
parkmanaa wrote:
Is it not possible to run a second 120v line (different phase), from your service panel to that 30 amp receptacle on your pole barn, then install a regular 50-amp receptacle?
I predict you will not be happy in the long run "managing" 30 amps for a 50-amp MH. Also I predict you will get tired of changing that 30 amp breaker due to it becoming weak from frequent tripping.

On contrare 30 amps is plenty much unless your living in it in summer while trying to run two roof AC units and other stuff to boot
so no you don't need 50 unless(like I said)

If you are so happy with 30-amp service to a 50-amp unit, why have 50 amps at all? Guess I am too 'do-it-myselfer'. Unless that pole barn is a long, long way from my service panel I would change it to 50-amp if I had to run new wiring and conduit.

If I dont need the use of both A/C's at the same time, I dont need 50 amps. I have better things to do with my time and money at this point. Maybe next year, but unless I see the need to stay in the MH during a hot summer ( at home ), I see the 30 amp service as enough to do it's job.
usersmanual
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
parkmanaa wrote:
usersmanual wrote:
parkmanaa wrote:
Is it not possible to run a second 120v line (different phase), from your service panel to that 30 amp receptacle on your pole barn, then install a regular 50-amp receptacle?
I predict you will not be happy in the long run "managing" 30 amps for a 50-amp MH. Also I predict you will get tired of changing that 30 amp breaker due to it becoming weak from frequent tripping.

On contrare 30 amps is plenty much useless your living in it in summer while trying to run two roof AC units and other stuff to boot
so no you don't need 50 unless(like I said)

If you are so happy with 30-amp service to a 50-amp unit, why have 50 amps at all? Guess I am too 'do-it-myselfer'. Unless that pole barn is a long, long way from my service panel I would change it to 50-amp if I had to run new wiring and conduit.

kind of a dumb question really.Pretty obvious why one needs 50 amp under normal circumstances
what I opined about was unless your actually using the motor home at this location and require 50amps then 30 amps is already more than ANYONE needs for storage purposes
that was and is my point I was making
parkmanaa
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
usersmanual wrote:
parkmanaa wrote:
Is it not possible to run a second 120v line (different phase), from your service panel to that 30 amp receptacle on your pole barn, then install a regular 50-amp receptacle?
I predict you will not be happy in the long run "managing" 30 amps for a 50-amp MH. Also I predict you will get tired of changing that 30 amp breaker due to it becoming weak from frequent tripping.

On contrare 30 amps is plenty much unless your living in it in summer while trying to run two roof AC units and other stuff to boot
so no you don't need 50 unless(like I said)

If you are so happy with 30-amp service to a 50-amp unit, why have 50 amps at all? Guess I am too 'do-it-myselfer'. Unless that pole barn is a long, long way from my service panel I would change it to 50-amp if I had to run new wiring and conduit.
hanko
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
usersmanual wrote:
parkmanaa wrote:
Is it not possible to run a second 120v line (different phase), from your service panel to that 30 amp receptacle on your pole barn, then install a regular 50-amp receptacle?
I predict you will not be happy in the long run "managing" 30 amps for a 50-amp MH. Also I predict you will get tired of changing that 30 amp breaker due to it becoming weak from frequent tripping.

On contrare 30 amps is plenty much unless your living in it in summer while trying to run two roof AC units and other stuff to boot
so no you don't need 50 unless(like I said)

if your circuit is run in conduit, than yes you can pull in an additional wire. you could change the plug to a 50 amp plug, but if its #10 wire which Im sure it is you could only fuse it at 30 amps with a two pole breaker
mpierce
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
Use only ONE big item at a time.
AC
Microwave
water heater, if electric
charger, IF you run the batteries down, it will draw a lot at first
JimInMich
Explorer
Oct 01, 2016
Thanx for the replies. I'm used to a TT with 30 amp service, so it wont be a problem knowing the limitations of 30 amp in the MH.
rk911
Explorer
Sep 30, 2016
anconn wrote:
Basically it means you can only run one roof air conditioner at a time. Every thing else is the same.

only if the MH is not equipped with an energy mgmt. system. if it is you can run both but not much else.
DrewE
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2016
Two Jayhawks wrote:

No you won't lose half of your MH power the entire coach should have power you just have less to work with. 30 amp is plenty for storage or even staying in as long as you know what everything in the coach requires power wise. If you were at a CG with a 50 amp hook up & you tested with a milti meter the two hots would make 240 volts. After you plug your adapter into your 30 amp outlet the two hots on the four pin end will only be 120 volts.

The voltage from hot to hot with an adapter will be zero volts, since they're connected together. The voltage from hot to neutral will be 120V, but that's also true with a proper 120/240V 50A connection.