I need info on generator power.

[skennedy6009]

I have a older generator that I want to use sometimes to power the Airstream but I need to make a cable that will change the old style 4 wire Generator plug to a 3 wire (30Amp) or 4 wire (50amp) RV plug. I have a L14-30p for the generator plug that has a ground, two hots, and a common. I think this wiring would be 220v using a 14-50R plug 2 hot, 1 common and 1 ground (50 amp RV plug) or I can use 3 wires 1 hot, 1 common and 1 ground for 30 amp plug TT-30R. I would just leave one hot on the Gen plug and cut the other wire. I think would be 120v 30amp wired this way. My question is when I hook up my Airstream to a 50 amp service at a camp ground is that 220v/ 110v on each leg? Will the 50 amp 4 wire 220v rv plug fry the airstream? Thank for your time.


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[wulfraat]

Is your generator 240v?

There are plenty of standard adapters you can buy and use off the shelf, do you shouldn't need to build your own.....

Recommend an EMS / surge protector while you are at it

[r carl]

What does your camper plug look like?

[skennedy6009]

I have a 50amp Plug on the Airstream, and I have a 30amp dog bone. I can plug into any of the female ones I posted. My question is at the camp ground where you plug into does the 50amp plug have 110v on both legs.

[skennedy6009]

I have a Surge protector.
but thanks for your imput.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by skennedy6009

I have a 50amp Plug on the Airstream, and I have a 30amp dog bone. I can plug into any of the female ones I posted. My question is at the camp ground where you plug into does the 50amp plug have 110v on both legs.

Yes a campground 50A outlet carries 120v on 2 separate legs. L1 and L2 are both 120v. Feeds 2 sides of your panel.

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by skennedy6009

I have a 50amp Plug on the Airstream, and I have a 30amp dog bone. I can plug into any of the female ones I posted. My question is at the camp ground where you plug into does the 50amp plug have 110v on both legs.

Yes. It’s wired as two hot leads, one neutral, and safety earth (ground). 120 volts from each hot to neutral

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by skennedy6009

I have a 50amp Plug on the Airstream, and I have a 30amp dog bone. I can plug into any of the female ones I posted. My question is at the camp ground where you plug into does the 50amp plug have 110v on both legs.

While research 30 and 50A campground service I came across this diagram. The scenario on the right is a 50A plug with 30A service.

Good advice from Wulf to use an off the shelf adapter but add protection like a Progressive EMS that will not allow power to your trailer unless it passes tests for proper wiring and voltage. Cheap insurance when compared to the alternative.

I use a short 30A extension from our Champion Dual-Fuel generator to the 30A-50A dog bone that came with our Airstream to the Progressive 50A EMS.

[drbrick]

I also agree with Wulf - Amazon has every kind of adapter and cord you can think of

[xyzabe]

A surge protector will only provide protection for a high spike. An EMS will protect against, surge (spike), high voltage, low voltage, improperly wired source, hot skin (poor or lack of grounding from source) and more. There is a BIG difference. One will protect what's plugged into it and the other can save your trailer and/or life.

You can purchase portable (plug into supply source) or permanently mounted (in trailer) which protects it from theft. More than once, my EMS saved me from hot skin (shock) and poorly wired pedestals at campground. Hot skin protection is very important if you have a pet. It they are on damp ground, getting into the trailer and touch metal on the trailer at the same time, they can get a shock or electrocuted. You could also feel the tingle of current or, if the issue is bad enough, get a major shock.

A surge protector will only protect what ever is plugged into it (TV, DVD, etc) and nothing else. It will not protect you and yours from any electrical issues.