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Old 09-14-2017, 12:41 PM   #1
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Connecting 50 amp Classic to house service

I've had the 30 amp service for our 25' FC hooked up via a dogbone to a 20 amp service connection on the exterior of my garage. No extension cords are involved; just the 30 amp cable and the adaptor. This has worked great for providing power to the trailer lighting, a battery maintainer, and even on a few occasions to run the 15000 BTU AC. I've measured voltage at the trailer with the AC running and it's never fallen below 118 volts.

We have a 30' Classic on the way which has, of course, 50 amp service. I want to use my 20 amp garage circuit to power the same kind of usage in the Classic that I have with the FC; I'm not looking to have anyone live in the trailer or run a bunch of stuff at one time.

I thought I'd get a 50 amp to 30 amp adaptor, and then connect the 30 amp to 20 amp dogbone to that to access to my garage service. Any problems with this plan?
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Old 09-14-2017, 12:57 PM   #2
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Why not just bite the bullet, upgrade the wiring, and put a correct 50 amp outlet on the outside wall? Is the breaker panel nearby? That way you would have full use of the new AS.

Seems like a less dangerous solution, although this layman cannot identify the exact risks with the multiple adapters "solution," except maybe some melted/fried cords or adapters.

Good luck!

Peter
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:08 PM   #3
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Peter, that would be an ideal solution, although expensive, as my current electrical panel is full and significant rewiring would be required. Given the minimal electrical load I want to support (I don't even really need to run AC) I was hoping the adaptor solution would work as it has for the FC. I've already "bitten the bullet" on the new trailer, new truck, and driveway re-do. Another bite of the bullet might cause lead poisoning!
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:14 PM   #4
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I thought as much. We run our FC20 off a 15-amp circuit just to keep the batteries charged and fridge cool, so your plan is probably do-able. I just don't feel competent to give it a green light.
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:18 PM   #5
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I have 50A and connect to my house 15A all the time. You are fine. Just use a 50->30 and a 30->20/15 adapter as you've cited.

With 20A you can even run one of your ACs.

Simply avoid the following so as not to overload your 20A circuit...

> don't run both ACs at the same time
> don't run one AC and the electric hot water tank heater at the same time
> don't run the AC and the microwave at the same time
> don't run the electric hot water tank heater and the microwave at the same time

.. otherwise kickback and enjoy 20A shore power at home...

PS - The worst thing that would happen is that you trip your 20amp breaker if you accidentally overload the circuit. no biggie.
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:34 PM   #6
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Note that there are two power legs for 50 amp service. The usual 30 amp to 50 amp adapter may connect the two power leads to the trailer breaker panel together.

In the for what it is worth department, RV 50 amp service has two 120Vac legs at 50 amps for 6,000 watts per leg, 30 amps = 3,600 watts at 120Vac, 20 amps = 2,400 watts at 120 Vac and 15 amps = 1,800 watts at 120Vac.

We have issues running the main A/C when on 30amp (using a combining adapter for the 50 amp power cord) service. The rear A/c works just fine.
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:34 PM   #7
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Thanks, wulfraat. It seemed to make sense that using the adaptors would work with the restrictions you mention but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something.
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:45 PM   #8
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We have issues running the main A/C when on 30amp (using a combining adapter for the 50 amp power cord) service. The rear A/c works just fine.
I don't.

I can run either front/rear AC on 15, 20 or 30amp service.

My adapter 30->50 adapter bridge the hot legs so both legs on the 50A inlet are hot.
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:48 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz View Post
Note that there are two power legs for 50 amp service. The usual 30 amp to 50 amp adapter may connect the two power leads to the trailer breaker panel together.

In the for what it is worth department, RV 50 amp service has two 120Vac legs at 50 amps for 6,000 watts per leg, 30 amps = 3,600 watts at 120Vac, 20 amps = 2,400 watts at 120 Vac and 15 amps = 1,800 watts at 120Vac.

We have issues running the main A/C when on 30amp (using a combining adapter for the 50 amp power cord) service. The rear A/c works just fine.
Just out of curiosity, do you know why you have issues running the main AC using a combining adaptor? Does the 50-30 amp adaptor restrict power to less than the 3600 watts you would normally get from a 30 amp circuit? Or does the main AC require more than 3600 watts?
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Old 09-14-2017, 01:50 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by wulfraat View Post
I don't.

I can run either front/rear AC on 15, 20 or 30amp service.

My adapter 30->50 adapter bridge the hot legs so both legs on the 50A inlet are hot.

Which adaptor do you use? I was considering this one on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BUQOGI...=2ZNOH6PIGDHU5
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Old 09-14-2017, 02:05 PM   #11
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Our 2017 Classic when home is connected to a 110 service at our storage facility. I have a surge protector on it and adapters to run 30amp cord to the 110 plug. We run the refridge before a trip and before a trip in winter we turn the Alde on to keep the trailer heated and also use the Alde when we drive with the tank heaters also on.

Works fine.

Bud
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Old 09-14-2017, 02:22 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Which adaptor do you use? I was considering this one on Amazon:



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BUQOGI...=2ZNOH6PIGDHU5


Not sure - came with my 2017 trailer - supplied by colonial airstream. Not sure what brand but can check later in the day when I fetch the trailer for a trip this weekend.
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Old 09-14-2017, 02:25 PM   #13
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Connecting 50 amp Classic to house service

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeinca View Post
Just out of curiosity, do you know why you have issues running the main AC using a combining adaptor? Does the 50-30 amp adaptor restrict power to less than the 3600 watts you would normally get from a 30 amp circuit? Or does the main AC require more than 3600 watts?


It sounds like his adapter does not deliver 2 hot legs to the trailer. So items hanging off the leg that is not hot (like the front AC) don't see any shore power.

Adapters themselves do not restrict current.
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Old 09-14-2017, 03:26 PM   #14
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Not sure - came with my 2017 trailer - supplied by colonial airstream. Not sure what brand but can check later in the day when I fetch the trailer for a trip this weekend.
Thanks. That would be great. I'd rather not have to deal with the situation you describe below.

Quote:
Originally Posted by wulfraat View Post
It sounds like his adapter does not deliver 2 hot legs to the trailer. So items hanging off the leg that is not hot (like the front AC) don't see any shore power.
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Old 09-14-2017, 03:35 PM   #15
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. . .
I can run either front/rear AC on 15 . . . amp service.
. . .
Really? Have you installed the Easy/Soft Start add-on for both A/C's? What size BTU are they?

Thanks,

Peter
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Old 09-14-2017, 04:36 PM   #16
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Really? Have you installed the Easy/Soft Start add-on for both A/C's? What size BTU are they?

Thanks,

Peter


Yup - I've installed an EasyStart on both the 13.5k and 15k ACs
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Old 09-14-2017, 04:58 PM   #17
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Just checked my 30->50 adapter that I got from colonial is a no-name ... other one (15->30) is camco....
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Old 09-14-2017, 05:00 PM   #18
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running off 110

we have a Classic 30. we keep it in a building about 40 minutes from our home. There are 15 amp circuits in the building that we are allowed to use. What i do is plug the Classic into the 15 amp circuits while in storage to keep the batteries topped off and I run a small fan, from one of the 110 v outlets to keep the air moving in the unit.

Once I move the unit to my home (I cannot keep it there too long because of deed restrictions), I have a 50 amp female connector in my garage, for another purpose, but the coach plugs in just fine. With that we can get the fridge up to temp prior to departing and, if we desire (which we do in Florida) use both A/C units prior to departing on a trip.

But the 110 does fine for everything else. We use a dog bone, in between which is a surge protector. AS power cord > surge protector> dog bone> 110 extension cord> 110 outlet. Works fine.
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Old 09-14-2017, 05:22 PM   #19
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Just checked my 30->50 adapter that I got from colonial is a no-name ... other one (15->30) is camco....
Thanks for checking. I've e-mailed an inquiry to Camco requesting information on their 55185 PowerGrip 30M/50F adaptor that is offered on Amazon. As is typical for the Amazon customer Q&A section, 4 responders say that both legs of the 50 A plug are hot and 1 says no.
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Old 09-14-2017, 05:29 PM   #20
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Thanks wulfraat for the feedback.

Mike you could also email Colonial's parts department:

http://www.colonialairstream.com/air...mes-parts.html

. . . with a link to that photo's URL:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...p;d=1505429889

Good luck,

Peter
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