Plug for 30 to 50 amp

[LinDens]

Is there a device to plug into a 30 amp circuit with a transformer to step it up to 50 amp? We are looking at an RV with 50 amp service and we go to RV campgrounds that only have 30 amp service.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Linda

[DSDP_Don]

"RoyB"......great diagram as to how 50 amp systems work and how the dogbone adapter works.

"LinDens"....Here's something we do....We often camp at State and County parks with only 30 amps. We have the cheater box described above that allows you to plug into either two 30amp circuits or one 30 amp and one 20 amp circuit. This only works at a few campgrounds.

The better solution was that I wired an extra outlet into my bathroom and living room on a separate circuit from the coach. The wiring runs out to a 20' extension cord that is connected/stored in my power bay. Almost every campground where I have stayed with 30 amps always has a 30 amp and 15/20 amp outlet. I plug in the 15/20 amp cord in and use the outlets that I added for a space heater in the living room and blow dryer in the bathroom (not at the same time). This frees up power for other things in the coach, since my DP has some large power demands. (I didn't add a separate circuit breaker since the outlet at the pedestal is protected).

Others also wire their rear A/C to a switched second cord for hot weather.

[time2roll]

30 amp = 3,600 watts
50 amp = 12,000 watts

As long as you can manage on 3,600 watts the adapter will do fine.
Otherwise you need 50a.

[2ndhom]

enblethen wrote:
I would not waste the money!
Buy a good dogbone 30-50 amp adapter.

Second the motion!!

[AllegroD]

On 30 amp you can run 2 major items and a few small draws, simultaneous.

[LinDens]

Thanks everyone. Question answered.

Linda

[wa8yxm]

As others have noted just use the basic dog bone adapter (30 amp plug on one end 50 amp outlet on the other.. Or there is another one that is 1' long has a 30 amp RV plug (TT-30) and a 50 amp marinco outlet to plug into the RV's outlet.

50 amp service is 120/240 volt (2 legs 120 volt each basically a 240 volt transformer output center tapped).

However less you have an all electric rig, and possibly even if you do, NOTHING in the rig needs 240 volt with the possible exception of an energy management system, and it only needs it to detect when you are on 50 amps so it knows to "Stand down" and let everything work at once.

The 30 amp service is just 1/2 of the 240 volt (one leg) service so it is 120 volt. What the dog bone does is feed the same 120 volts at 30 amps to BOTH legs on the 50 amp outlet.. This is safe, and it works well, and in fact is how I am connected as I type this.

There is no need for a transformer.

There is, however a very strong reason to NOT USE any kind oftransformer.

Effiency

Use the dog bone and you get 30 amps peak, about 27 amps continuous.
Use a transformer and you get 27 amps peak, about 24 continuous due to losses (10%) in the transformer.

[Busskipper]

This is the easy solution;

Wal*Mart 30 to 50 amp plug

BOL,

[Bobbo]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
A transformer can raise or lower the voltage, but the maximum current is limited by the source at its rated voltage. A 30 amp outlet will only allow up to a 30 amp draw, not matter what you connect to it.

What he said^^^^^^^^^^^

[Old-Biscuit]

Get the 30A to 50A adapter

Plug the 30A male plug into power pedestal...then plug your power cord into the 50A female end.

One of these....

[Executive45]

If I read your post correctly, you are trying to get 50amp service to your coach from a 30 amp service pedestal. There are adapters that tie TWO 30amp plugs into a 50 amp and one that tie a 30amp and 20amp together to a 50amp. The first has two 30AMP MALE plugs to a 50AMP FEMALE plug and the other has a 30AMP MALE plug, 20AMP MALE plug and a 50AMP FEMALE plug. I think either of these are what you're looking for. That said, the 30/20 will NOT work if the 20amp receptacle is GFCI protected. New codes require that but if you go to older CGs they haven't been upgraded yet. They are not welcome in a lot of campgrounds also. Some specify you can be asked to leave with no refund if caught using one.... below is a link to one sold by Camping World and another form RVwholesalers...Dennis


Twin 30 to 50 adapter

15/30 to 50amp adapter

[RoyB]

This is a typical RV 50AMP 120VAC Distribution setup.


This is how the RV 30A to 50A adapter is wired. NOTE the two HOT legs are shorted together so that both banks of the 50A distribution have a 120VAC power source.


Roy Ken

[imgoin4it]

For the most part (qualifying statement) you can do most everything with the RV on 30 amps as you can with 50 amps until you grt to summer hot temps and need to run air conditioning. At that time you will probably be limited to one acnd'r with the hot water on gas. All in all not a big deal. You can get the adapter at most Walmart stores also.

[wolfe10]

All correct. All you want is a 30 amp male to 50 amp female adapter. In the adapter, the single hot in the 30 ties to both hots on the 50 amp end.

It will limit what you can run, and limit it more than most think at first glance. 50 amp RV service is actually TWO 50 amp hots (look at the CG breakers and you will see duplex 50's).

So, when going from 50 to 30, what you can run drops from 100 amps total available to 30 amps total available.

[Dutch_12078]

A transformer can raise or lower the voltage, but the maximum current is limited by the source at its rated voltage. A 30 amp outlet will only allow up to a 30 amp draw, not matter what you connect to it.