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Old 04-20-2013, 07:41 AM   #1
RKassl
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Best way to connect to Less than 30 amps?

We will be traveling through Canada on our way to Alaska in a couple of weeks and have noticed that it is common to have less than 30 amps sometimes 15 to amps at campsites. My question is what is the BEST/Safest way to connect the Monty to the pedestal? I have a heavy duty 30 amp shoreline that I could use an adapter on to attach, or should I use a pigtail adapter right away and then use a heavy duty outdoor extension cord to the connection on the pedestal? I just don't know if the heavy duty 30 amp line would build up too much heat or would the 20 amp extension cord? Or am I just splitting hairs at this point?

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Old 04-20-2013, 07:55 AM   #2
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Because we have a portable 50 amp SurgeGuard, and we always use it, we have always used adapters to go from 15 to 30 to 50 amp connectors. Have had to use a bungee cord to keep them all together and plugged in due to the weight of the SurgeGuard.
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Old 04-20-2013, 08:30 AM   #3
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I've used a 12 gauge extension cord successfully in a pinch. Normally I use my 30-amp cord with a 30- to 20-amp dog bone.

Orv
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Old 04-20-2013, 08:54 AM   #4
Art-n-Marge
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I use the adapter blocks and short cords, too. I have a short cord that goes from 50 amp to 30 amp then an adapter that goes from 30 amp to 15 amp. There are also adapters that go from 30 amp to 20 amp (I'm guessing this is what Orv has)Just be mindful of the gender you'll need. Also be mindful of adding too many long extensions. I think it's a good idea to try to keep the cords and adapters as short as possible. Some power loss may occur the longer the distance.
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Old 04-20-2013, 10:30 AM   #5
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I think we only hit one campground that didn't have 30 amps available. Well, not counting the ones that had NO electricity!
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Old 04-20-2013, 01:42 PM   #6
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Your going to be surprised at how much juice your rig will pull. 30amps will still have you having to be careful about what you are running at the same time.
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Old 04-20-2013, 02:07 PM   #7
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I have a 25' 30 amp cord with the 50 amp conn for the trailer end. Any time we are at a park with less than 50 amps I use the 30 amp cord rather than drag out the 50 and/or adapters. If there is only 15/20 then I do use the small adapter.
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Old 04-20-2013, 02:22 PM   #8
H. John Kohl
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by RKassl

We will be traveling through Canada on our way to Alaska in a couple of weeks and have noticed that it is common to have less than 30 amps sometimes 15 to amps at campsites. My question is what is the BEST/Safest way to connect the Monty to the pedestal? I have a heavy duty 30 amp shoreline that I could use an adapter on to attach, or should I use a pigtail adapter right away and then use a heavy duty outdoor extension cord to the connection on the pedestal? I just don't know if the heavy duty 30 amp line would build up too much heat or would the 20 amp extension cord? Or am I just splitting hairs at this point?

Thanks!
You ask a good question.

The 30 Amp line has larger wire therefore less resistance which = less heat and less loss.
The 20 Amp extension cord has smaller wire and could heat more and have higher loss.

So - If you don't mind pulling the 30 amp cord and plugging it into a 30/20 amp step down plug or dog bone that is the most efficient. Will you ever notice the difference, probably not but that is the electrical answer.
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Old 04-20-2013, 03:02 PM   #9
RKassl
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Thanks John, that is what I needed to know.
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Old 04-21-2013, 12:37 AM   #10
kdeiss
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by H. John Kohl

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by RKassl

We will be traveling through Canada on our way to Alaska in a couple of weeks and have noticed that it is common to have less than 30 amps sometimes 15 to amps at campsites. My question is what is the BEST/Safest way to connect the Monty to the pedestal? I have a heavy duty 30 amp shoreline that I could use an adapter on to attach, or should I use a pigtail adapter right away and then use a heavy duty outdoor extension cord to the connection on the pedestal? I just don't know if the heavy duty 30 amp line would build up too much heat or would the 20 amp extension cord? Or am I just splitting hairs at this point?

I agree this is the way to Go!

Thanks!
You ask a good question.

The 30 Amp line has larger wire therefore less resistance which = less heat and less loss.
The 20 Amp extension cord has smaller wire and could heat more and have higher loss.

So - If you don't mind pulling the 30 amp cord and plugging it into a 30/20 amp step down plug or dog bone that is the most efficient. Will you ever notice the difference, probably not but that is the electrical answer.
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Old 04-21-2013, 05:15 AM   #11
Countryfolks
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I use our long 30A cord. It has the standard 50A connector on RV end and standard 30 male on the other. I use the little 30 to 15 adapter. It worked ok at home before we had the 50 A installed, and on the road. We could run lights and other light loads, no AC, microwave, etc. Our RV draws ~ 2-2.5A when sitting idle [nothing on except the 'hidden' items]. I also use a baggie over joints between any connection of any cables/cable adapters to help prevent moisture, condensate or rain, from shorting the pins/sockets. Learned the hard way.
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