50 to 30 amp cord

[mwilliamsmd]

What is the consensus on carrying a 50 to 30 amp converter in my FC 23D? Seems like cheap insurance for the few times I have only 50 amp service. Thanks

[DKB_SATX]

You never need one, until you do. I bought mine when attending a rally at a civic center that seemed to be set up for the big-moho crowd, all 50A sites with no 30A outlets. I've carried it in the trailer since then. I haven't needed to USE it since then, but it doesn't take up much room and I'll be ready next time.

[msmcv51]

I bought one at the international rally in 2011 and needed it three weeks later at a campground in Ohio that only had 20 & 50 amp plug ins. Last year I was at a county fair ground for a unit rally. The electric boxes had two 20 amp, one 30 amp, and one 50 amp outlets, and the one 30 amp was already being used. No problem, I just pulled out the once used 50 to 30 amp adapter. I have only used it twice in three years, but when I needed it I had it.

[BAB BMRZ]

I was told by a fellow AS person, on our first outing (Space Shuttle launch Feb 2010, tnx again Laura). That I should, when ever 50 amp is available, always use this adapter and to get my 30 amp service. I don't remember his reasoning (cleaner, and/or more stable, or?), but I've done this ever since, and it seems to work fine. Can anyone validate this process for me?

Tnx Lyle & Margie

[HowieE]

There is no validation.

50 amp is just 2 legs of the circuit where as 30 amp is just one leg of the same circuit and 20 is just a 20 amp beaker on the one of the 30 amp legs.

Now if the installer had wired ever 30 amp plug on the same leg throughout the camp ground you would see more voltage while plugged into the 50 if the adapter happened to take power off the unused leg. Likelihood about equal to winning the lottery. Because it would be completely against the code and raise hell with the campground electric meter.

[BAB BMRZ]

Tnx Howie, I guess I can stop doing this.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by HowieE

There is no validation.

50 amp is just 2 legs of the circuit where as 30 amp is just one leg of the same circuit and 20 is just a 20 amp beaker on the one of the 30 amp legs.

I don't think that is right. Each leg of a 50 amp RV circuit should be 50A at 120V.

Now, if the campground has more load than service on that 50 amp leg you will still have a low voltage problem. Using one leg of the 50 amp service is not a panacea and the breaker is oversized for your 30 amp shore power cable.

[NevadaGeo]

Originally Posted by HowieE

There is no validation.

50 amp is just 2 legs of the circuit where as 30 amp is just one leg of the same circuit and 20 is just a 20 amp beaker on the one of the 30 amp legs.

Now if the installer had wired ever 30 amp plug on the same leg throughout the camp ground you would see more voltage while plugged into the 50 if the adapter happened to take power off the unused leg. Likelihood about equal to winning the lottery. Because it would be completely against the code and raise hell with the campground electric meter.

? That makes no sense at all. Sounds like your are talking about 220 volts which has two hot wires versus 120 volts which has one hot wire.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I have used my 50 amp dog bone twice, but wouldn't leave home without it. A lot of 30 amp receptacles are loose or broken in that case the lesser used 50 amp receptacles would be a better choice.

[xrvr]

Robert, good point. I have found loose 30 amp connecters and never thought of using the 50 amp dog bone. Thanks for the idea! Jim