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Old 11-07-2010, 07:47 AM   #1
dpam
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Surge Protection (EMS) Question

We have a 50A electrical system in our Montana 5th wheel, but we seem to use 30A most of the time, so I picked up a 30A adapter & 30A electrical cord. I now want to buy a surge protection system (EMS) and I assume since our trailer is based on 50A I should buy a 50A EMS. My question is:

If I buy a 50A EMS (surge protection) can I simply buy a 50A to 30A adapter and plug the adapter into the EMS and then the 30A cord into the adapter and everything will be okay. I'm wondering that if I plug the adapter into the 50A EMS/circuit and then the 30A cord into the adapter is there risk that the 50A circuit will provide too much power that will damage the cord?

I greatly appreciate your input.
 
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Old 11-07-2010, 08:10 AM   #2
H. John Kohl
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by dpam

We have a 50A electrical system in our Montana 5th wheel, but we seem to use 30A most of the time, so I picked up a 30A adapter & 30A electrical cord. I now want to buy a surge protection system (EMS) and I assume since our trailer is based on 50A I should buy a 50A EMS. My question is:

David and Pat,
Yes I have the 50A hardwired EMS installed and right now the trailer is plugged into 30A. The EMS identified a problem on that system which I had to fix. Definitely go with the 50A so it is there whenever you do use 50 amp service.


If I buy a 50A EMS (surge protection) can I simply buy a 50A to 30A adapter and plug the adapter into the EMS and then the 30A cord into the adapter and everything will be okay. I'm wondering that if I plug the adapter into the 50A EMS/circuit and then the 30A cord into the adapter is there risk that the 50A circuit will provide too much power that will damage the cord?

After reading the second paragraph again, I may be confused.
1. Are you planning on buying the pedestal type EMS or the one like mine installed and permanent mounted in the trailer?




I greatly appreciate your input.

When I run 30 amps I use the 30 amp cord to the 30amp to 50 amp pigtail adapter at the trailer.

If you want to run 30 amp from the pedestal to the trailer I believe you would have to do things a little different. 30 amp from the pedestal to the trailer where you would have a 30amp to 50 amp adapter. Then plug your pedestal 50 amp EMS then a 50amp plug to the 50 amp trailer plug.

I will let an electrician discuss taking 50 amp back down to a 30 amp system.
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Old 11-07-2010, 08:39 AM   #3
nailbender
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If you start with a 30 amp cord, then the 30 amp to 50 amp adapter, the 50 amp EMS and a short 50 amp cord to the trailer connection, you will be good. Do not start with 50 amp EMS then go to a 30 amp cord, it over heat the cord.
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Old 11-07-2010, 09:07 AM   #4
bncinwv
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After hearing about all these cords and adapters, I think I would just get the hard-wired EMS. Oh wait, that is what I did!! Then you could use any cord you wanted to. Just a thought!
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Old 11-07-2010, 09:59 AM   #5
dpam
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I was thinking of buying a portable ems that plugged into the pedistal, but if a hardwired ems will work with both 50A and 30A I guess that might be a better solution.
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Old 11-07-2010, 11:53 AM   #6
boylanag
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Our 50 amp EMS unit works on both 30 and 50 amp boxes with no problem.
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Old 11-07-2010, 01:05 PM   #7
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50 amp hardwired EMS is the way to go. Like Ron Popeil said "set it & forget it". You can use any adapter you want. I use the 50 to 15 amp adapter for home when I power the rig overnight before leaving to cool the refrigerator. Best mod/investment in the Monty yet!
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Old 11-07-2010, 03:28 PM   #8
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On our recent 2 month trip we had to use the 30 amp service at one of the campgrounds. Everything worked fine up until the next stop when the 30 amp cord would not work. Something over heated and melted the female end of the plugin and the cord would not work. Had to buy another new 30 amp cord. Would the surge protector had helped if I had one? We have 50 amp service in our trailer, but several camp resorts didn't have 50 amp service.
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Old 11-07-2010, 04:02 PM   #9
Countryfolks
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If you used a dogbone adapter with the 30A cord it may have gotten water in the connection and shorted. It's happened twice to me. I now put the connection in a plastic bag to protect it from dew/water.
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