30 amps vs 50 amps @ Rv parks

[ColoradoLady]

Why do RV PARKS have 30 amps or 50 amps electrical connections for trailers? So, with my BAMBI, I require a 30 amp connection, I think. If I go to an RV park that only has a 50 amp available, what do I do!? Do I need a 50 amp adapter? Will it hurt my BAMBI?

[HowieE]

It is an evolutionary thing.
The first offering of electricity that campgrounds offered was 15 amps. That was for those who did not have a Coleman lantern and could not find their pants in the morning in the tent. Next came 20 amps for the first trailers with air conditioners. Then came 30 amps for the boxes that had air conditioning and electric hot water heaters. Now we have 50 amps for those who have 2 or more air conditioners, 2 or more 50 in. tvs, electric base board heaters, and of course a hair dryer.

[dznf0g]

Yes you need to carry an adapter for these circumstances....and no it won't hurt your Bambi.

Like this one. Shop for your favorite style and price.

http://www.amazon.com/NU-CORD-50M30F...amp+rv+adapter

[txtwin]

Yes on the adapter, and no it won't hurt your trailer as long as the pole is correctly wired. You just won't blow your fuse if you go over 30 amps draw. Every day you plug items into electrical circuits that are rated for higher than their actual draw (for example, your hair dryer that Howie mentions above ).

[eubank]

Kind of depends on where you like to go. Up here in high country, the need for 50 amps is pretty low, so we've not bothered to go switching bunches of sites over to that direction. Even in those cases, though, the box includes both a 50 and a 30.

There will be some high-end parks around that try to appeal to a higher-end crowd and may offer only 50 or 100 amps, no 30 amps. If your intent is to visit one of these, then your best bet is to get yourself one of the adapters. Here's the doo-dad on Amazon, but you'll be able to pick one up at lots of places:

http://smile.amazon.com/Camco-55175-...amp+rv+adapter


Lynn

[dznf0g]

Sometimes, Lynn, it's not a choice. I have only needed mine a couple of times while pulling off the road for a quick overnight and the only spots available were 50Amp only.....A/C was needed to sleep. The first time, I got to buy my adapter at an inflated price at the campground store. I now carry it always and have had to use it again.

[cwf]

Welcome! As stated, the more power you "need", the higher / bigger the AMPs. Our 34' AS was 30 Amp when built from 1999 till 2013 when I purchased and became caretakers #3.

We immediately realized one AC would not be a complete solution for "Texas Summer". That meant AC#2 and I had to improve the elec service from 30 to 50 AMPs in order to "operate" both simultaneously.

The bonus... My wife can run both TV for grandkritters, both ACs, the Microwave (MW), coffee pot, mixer, hair dryer, curling iron and water heater... And no breakers "Pop"!!!!! Momma happy!

Now, I can "camp" with no electricity.... Or running water... Heck I could even sleep "out", But it does act on my allergies a bit...

So, I try to keep the bedroom AC temp above 40 degrees when she isn't looking and pretend to be "upset" over the extra stuff.... Yup, I'm just a guy....

[KJRitchie]

Don't most 50 amp posts have the 30amp connector also? I've never found one that didn't.

[mimiandrews]

I have seen one 50-amp only connector in my very limited experience with campgrounds. Having the adapter saved our trip that time. Our first site there was 30-amp, but it was wired incorrectly and we refused it. Only alternative was this 50-amp only site. Fortunately we had the adapter and it worked out OK.

[halftimer]

If you go to Alaska take your 15 amp adapter they don't have thirty that I found.

[GeocamperAS]

The 50 to 30 amp adapters mentioned should only be used if your camper has a 30 amp MAIN circuit breaker.

[Phoenix]

We stayed at a Washington State Park on the coast last year, and the campsite had both 50 and 30 amp sockets. However, the 30 amp was corroded; and the contacts were burned so badly that they had sprung and had no pin retention. Consequently, our shore power connector wouldn't stay plugged securely in the socket.

We were about to see if we could move to another site, when I remembered I had a 50-to-30 amp "dog bone" that was purchased at Walmart years ago and never used. I checked the 50 amp socket in the post, and it was brand new and looked like it had never been used.

So, that dogbone finally came in handy by saving us the hassle of moving to another site.

[moosetags]

In our fairly extensive camping experience, we have found 50 amp only connections twice.

Also, all should be aware that at the Teraport sites at the Mothership, there is one electrical box that is shared by two sites. These boxes have one 30 amp and one 50 outlet. If you are second to arrive and the 30 amp outlet is already in use, you will need a 50 to 30 adapter. If two 50 amp Airstreams show up at the same power pole, it could create a problem.

Brian

[LucasS]

I've only been to two parks that only had 50 amp and 110 outlets and (surprise, surprise) they were both Motorcoach resorts. I remember talking to people about 100amp hookups not being too far off in the figure. I need 50 amp to run my 2nd AC. I also cannot sleep when it's too warm (1sf world problem much?) so I get pretty miffed when I show up to a park that advertised 50amps with nothing over 30 to be found.

[switz]

That 50 amp park outlet reflects potential power. Your trailer should have a 30 amp main breaker. Thus the most power your trailer can access is limited by your 30 amp main breaker.

The 50 amp to 30 amp adapter cord only uses power off of one leg of the two associated with 50 amp service.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Don't most 50 amp posts have the 30amp connector also? I've never found one that didn't.

Usually, but not always.

[Ron A]

Originally Posted by switz

That 50 amp park outlet reflects potential power. Your trailer should have a 30 amp main breaker. Thus the most power your trailer can access is limited by your 30 amp main breaker.

The 50 amp to 30 amp adapter cord only uses power off of one leg of the two associated with 50 amp service.

I was wondering just how it (dogbone adapter) worked, your last paragraph turned on the light bulb for me. I now understand. Though I may be plugged into 50 I am only using 30 (power off of one leg of the 50). Seems elementary but took a moment for me to understand it. Thank you.


Ron
2015 Sport 16'
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[dcasr]

Yes most campgrounds have both 30 and 50 amp plug-ins, and as mentioned sometimes the 30 amp has been shared with a neighbor or is inoperative, but some campgrounds have posts for mostly motorhomes and if you wind up at one of those you'll need an adapter. I carry a box of adapters, and most recently had to use one at the Terraport when my neighbor who shared the post had already taken the 30 amp. The old Boy Scout motto applies, Be Prepared.

My project for next year is to convert my 29' 1990 Excella from 30 amp to 50 amp. Does anyone know where the U-tube video is that shows how?

[Rich W]

[QUOTE=dcasr;1657930]Yes most campgrounds have both 30 and 50 amp plug-ins, and as mentioned sometimes the 30 amp has been shared with a neighbor or is inoperative, but some campgrounds have posts for mostly motorhomes and if you wind up at one of those you'll need an adapter. I carry a box of adapters, and most recently had to use one at the Terraport when my neighbor who shared the post had already taken the 30 amp. The old Boy Scout motto applies, Be Prepared.
QUOTE]

We were at the Terraport last month and saw that you had to share the power post. We also found that our stinky slinky wouldn't reach the sewer connection. That's the first one we've ever encountered. The 'tank trap' bar kept us from backing up any further.

I carry 50-30, 15-30 and 30-15 adapters. I use the last one if there are only 50 and 30 amp plugs and I need to plug in an extension cord. Came in handy at Cabelas in Sydney, NE when we were tent camping.