50 amp airstream

[Watson]

We are picking up our new AS next week that we ordered. And I would like to ask a question about the 50 amp service the AS has. The AS is a 28' flying cloud with two ac units. Therefore it needed a 50amp service. My question is it ok to use an adapter to plug into 30amp service if that's what's available at the campsite? I do know that I would only be able to use one a/c when plugged into 30 amps. I don't want to damage anything. Thanks in advance

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Watson

My question is it ok to use an adapter to plug into 30amp service if that's what's available at the campsite?

Absolutely.

[OTRA15]

Ditto to Protagonist, but is it appropriate to tell the campground about this?

[n2916s]

Heck, at some of the old Forest Service campgrounds out west, you might be plugging into 20 amp. No AC at all but everything else will work.

Think of volts as the water pressure. Stays the same (hopefully) regardless of load.

Think of amps as the water flow. 50 amp is a fire hose, 30 amp is a garden hose, 15 amp is a soda straw - imagine filling a 50 gallon drum with each of those hoses.

So, as your supply shrinks, so should your demand. If you ever end up with 15 or 20 amp, it will help to leave the reefer on propane as well as the water heater if it is dual propane/electric.

Have fun out there,

Mike

[dkottum]

I wish voltage would remain constant. During times of high current draw like air conditioners and heat pumps (some moho's have four on top), especially in older campgrounds, the high current load will cause a drop in voltage. This morning at 29 degrees outside and the campsites busy, our voltmeter read 111 volts (120 volts normally during the day) inside the trailer with our Dyson space heater and electric blanket on.

At that voltage and the campground wiring already overloaded, it does't matter much whether you have 30 amp or 50 amp cables, the power available will be reduced. You will probably see a voltage drop in your own system when putting demands on it.

[extiger]

My trailer is 50 amp. I carry 2 50 to 30 amp adapters (one is a spare). For storage I have 50 to 15 amp adapter that plugs into an extension cord. I also have a 30 amp adapter for use with my Honda Generator. As previously noted, use whatever electricity is available and manage what you run in the rig.

[paiceman]

Ours is 50AMP - I carry a 50-30AMP 12" adapter and a 50-15AMP adapter. I also carry a 25", I think, length of 30 AMP power cord and 50' of 15 AMP power cord. If stopped for the night and know nothing is going to be used, ie microwave-hair dryer the 15AMP goes in. Otherwise 30AMP and then I never run the Hot Water Heater - Microwave and or Haridryer at the same time and when those are off, the A/C one unit, usually the back one. Otherwise the BIG BOY gets hooked up and then everything can run at once.

As stated by others prior it's not an issue for the campground at all. NOW for a little trick a guy showed me there is an attachment for 30AMP plugged into the campground and attached to it is a 15AMP which also plugs in to the campground gives you approximately 45 AMPS. Campgrounds don't really like these but they work.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Watson

We are picking up our new AS next week that we ordered. And I would like to ask a question about the 50 amp service the AS has. The AS is a 28' flying cloud with two ac units. Therefore it needed a 50amp service.

Good choice. I have the two A/C units and the 50a service also.

My question is it ok to use an adapter to plug into 30amp service if that's what's available at the campsite?

Yes, people do it all the time.

I purchased a 30a cord and use that instead of an adapter. I recommend that. The cord is much lighter and easier to handle, and using it saves wear and tear on the extremely expensive 50a cord. Mine is like this:

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...g28BoCmCLw_wcB

Although I think I paid less than that.

I do know that I would only be able to use one a/c when plugged into 30 amps. I don't want to damage anything. Thanks in advance

Typically, you can in fact run both a/cs on 30 amp service as long as you shut off everything else in the trailer, including the fridge and converter. It will only work if the campground voltage is good. I remember doing it at the Minnesota Airstream park once on a really hot day. The park has good electric wiring but it was installed before there were any Airstreams with 50a service, so the sites are all 30a.

I modified my breaker panel to add a meter that shows volts and amps, which has helped tremendously in coping with campgrounds with doubtful power.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...0v-119935.html

[Cispook]

Great info. Txs for sharing.

[FCStreamer]

I would also recommend a good surge protector. I picked one up from Progressive Industries. PT-50C. Plus a 50-30 amp adapter. So I could use the protector in a 30 amp connection if needed.