30 Amp Question

[biggjc]

I have a question that will probably seem idiotic, but here goes. I am booked at a campsite that offers 50 amp service. My motorhome has a 30 amp plug-in. Can I
use a 50 amp to 30 amp pigtail type device without worry? I see them for sale for approx $20 , but want to make sure that I am Ok doing this. Many Thanks.

[Cummins12V98]

Spend the money and buy the YELLOW CAMCO with "D" handles for ease of separation and long term durability.

[IndyCamp]

2112 wrote:
I always use my 50A adaptor when I can. Many times the 30A pedestal receptacles are in poor shape while the 50A looks new.

Me too.

Any time I am at a site that has both, I use my adapter and plug into the 50A.

[Hank_MI]

Veebyes wrote:

williamp321 wrote:
WalMart has the pig tails.

Would they be in the meat freezer section?:h

Pickled, in a jar on the shelve.

[Veebyes]

williamp321 wrote:
WalMart has the pig tails.

Would they be in the meat freezer section?:h

[wa8yxm]

IN addition most 50 amp boxes contain both 30 and 20 amp outlets in addition to the 50.

Where I'm parked you can use both 30 and 20 amp all day no tribble. but if you try to use the 50 and one other ... You can trip your site breaker back at the park servie panel.. Each site has its very own feed all the way back to the main.

(Actually this is a very good way to wire an RV park).

[rockhillmanor]

imgoin4it wrote:
Only once in nearly 15 years of RVing have I encountered an RV park that had only 50amp service and no 30amp outlet available. That was in Alaska near fairbanks.

There are a lot of CG's thru out the US now that have pull thru sites for the big coaches that only have a 50 amp shore station.

If you don't ask for those sites one would not know that they are only 50 amp.

If park is full and those sites are open they will park you in those sites no matter what type of coach you have. I tow and always 'ask' for those sites and yup most of the time they only have 50 amp. :C

[RoyB]

Always nice to have the adapter on hand to use. Most everyone uses the 30AMPS receptacles and alot of them don't look very good connection wise...

The 50AMP Receptacle next to is usually as clean as can be...

I got mine from WALMART... Looks like this...



This is a diagram showing how it works... Notice that it only taps into one HOT side of the 50AMP Service for you to use... Although you have 50AMP service available to use your trailer 30AMP breaker will keep you from using more than than 30AMPs otherwise the trailer 30AMP breaker will trip.



Roy Ken

[Us_out_West]

imgoin4it wrote:
Only once in nearly 15 years of RVing have I encountered an RV park that had only 50amp service and no 30amp outlet available.

Not once....never been anywhere where it was just 50amp at the pedestal.

Just 30amp or less...yes.

[imgoin4it]

Only once in nearly 15 years of RVing have I encountered an RV park that had only 50amp service and no 30amp outlet available. That was in Alaska near fairbanks.

[CavemanCharlie]

Yes,

Often the 50 amp receptacle will have seen less use and be in better shape.

A surge protector is cheap insurance no matter where you plug in.

[JoeTampa]

To simplify, the major difference between 30a and 50a is the amount of current that each can provide to your RV. If your RV has 30A service, it will/shouldn't draw more than 30A, and can be plugged into the 30A without fear of tripping the breaker by drawing too much current.

50A service will (should!) have thicker wiring to handle larger current loads, and so should the wiring going to a 50A trailer. Therefore, you can plug into 50A service (with the appropriate plug adapter) since you won't be needing/using the increased current capacity anyway.

The same - it should be clear by now - is not necessarily the case going the other way; i.e. a 50A RV plugging into 30A service. The 50A RV *could* try to draw more than 30A, which should cause the breaker to trip. My trailer - with 50A service - doesn't draw more than 20A with the AC on and the compressor running, so I can use 30A service if needed. That's not true for many 50A rigs, however.

[2112]

I always use my 50A adaptor when I can. Many times the 30A pedestal receptacles are in poor shape while the 50A looks new.

[2oldman]

biggjc wrote:
I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but didn't want to be that guy who fried all of his electronics. Thanks again to all!

Amps don't fry, volts do, which is why a good surge guard is recommended by many.

[biggjc]

Thanks for the quick reply's! I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but didn't want to be that guy who fried all of his electronics. Thanks again to all!