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Old 10-13-2011, 05:15 AM   #1
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1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock , Georgia
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30 amp to 50 amp

I found a 50 amp power inlet I can get very reasonably.
My trailer is 30 amps (a 66 ) and I don't need 50, but can I use the inlet and a dogbone style converter to plug it into 30 amp power?

I would wire just the 30 amp plug in terminals. If this will work ok.
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Old 10-13-2011, 05:29 AM   #2
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You could do that....but is the dogbone plus the 50 amp outlet reall cheaper that a 30 amp outlet?
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Old 10-13-2011, 05:51 AM   #3
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Alan, you can use a 50 amp RV outlet (like from Lowes or Home Depot), and plug your trailer into it, as long as you don't exceed the capacity of the wire and circuit breaker. Also, make sure that the "dogbone" converter is rated for the load. Most of them are only good for 15 amps. 20 max.
Also, if your trailer has a 30 amp power supply, that's 30 amps DC voltage. The converter pulls much less than 30 amps of 110 volts AC. It shouldn't exceed 20 amps.
Be sure your wire from your breaker box to the outlet is proper size. Usually #14 is for 15 amps, #12 for 20, and #10 for 30, for less than 100 feet of wire length. Don't just put in a bigger breaker!!
Hope that helps.
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Old 10-13-2011, 05:54 AM   #4
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When I told the electrician that we needed a 30a/120v outlet he used a standard plug, (charged $60/job, w/separate breaker), have had no problems using an adaptor.

Bob
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Old 10-13-2011, 06:40 AM   #5
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30 amp circuit needs #10 wire!!

Bob, just for clarification (I'm not doubting the electrician's ability, but I've seen installs that don't meet code). A "standard" outlet is rated for 15 or 20 amps only. If there are two outlets on a single face plate, it's NOT rated for 30 amps! The face plate would have one large rectangle, or two circles. The 15 amp outlet will have just two vertical blade openings, and the ground (makes the "happy face"). The 20 amp will have an additional horizontal slot on the side of one of the vertical blade openings, and the ground.
A 30 amp outlet will only be ONE outlet, in a single face plate. One blade will be vertical, and one blade will be horizontal, plus the ground (makes a "winky face"). There are many more NEMA style plugs, but that's not the point. If your electrician used a standard outlet, and changed-out the breaker to a 30 amp breaker without changing the wire size to #10, then you CAN overload the house wiring. It CAN catch fire!!!!
#14 gauge wire is good for 15 amps continuous duty, #12 for 20 amps, and #10 for 30 amps. ALWAYS have a breaker at, or less than, what the wire can handle. If you don't, the wiring can burn up, and cause a house fire.
If you have any doubts, turn off the breaker, and pull the outlet out of the box (you can leave the wires attached.) There will be a rating on the back of the outlet. If it says 30 amps, then I'm wrong. If it says 20 amps, then change your breaker back to 20 amps (or 15 amps, if it's #14 wire.). Make sure the wire gauge is #10.
If the electrician did all that for $60, send him to my house!!
If not, get your money back!!!!
Just free, life-saving information from an experienced electrical designer.
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Old 10-13-2011, 06:58 AM   #6
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ed,
Thax for the tips, will check the box asap.
BTW 60 bucks was extra 30/120 labor only, added to a contract job for the washer/dryer 220 line.
60 wouldn't even bring 'em to the neighborhood.

Bob
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Old 10-13-2011, 07:06 AM   #7
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Bob, please let me know what you find!
Ed
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Old 10-13-2011, 04:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g View Post
You could do that....but is the dogbone plus the 50 amp outlet reall cheaper that a 30 amp outlet?
yup this one would be and its a stainless steel Marinco

My trailer is all wired up to a 30AMP power cable. I just want to eliminate the cable going directly into the converter and put an outside inlet on.
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