30 Amp Power Cord? - Montana Owners Club

BB_TX · 07-10-2009, 05:29 AM

We frequently go to a campground in Colorado that only has 30 amp hookups. At 8,600+ ft, never need AC even in July/August so that is not a problem. But that 50 amp cord is a bear to put out and take up, especially when it is cold.
What is a good source to get a 50-30 pigtail adapter and a 30 amp power cord at a good price?

Ozzie · 07-10-2009, 05:40 AM

Try Tweety's...I love that place...

http://www.tweetys.com/rv-electrical-adapters.aspx

bncinwv · 07-10-2009, 05:40 AM

Best prices I have found is at Tweetys.com. They will match any internet price if you give them the address. I am not affiliated with them, but I will say the service was excellent.
Bingo

Ozzie · 07-10-2009, 05:42 AM

It wouldn't hurt to try Camping World too...I was in their store last weekend and saw some good pricing on adapters.

Jolu · 07-10-2009, 06:00 AM

Bill,
I use one of these. If I need 15amp for any reason I just plug in a 15amp adapter to the 30amp.
As Ozzie mentions Tweetys has the best price. I paid about $90 for mine at CC. Right now I think they are over $100 at CC.

http://www.tweetys.com/rv50to30ampadaptor.aspx

BB_TX · 07-10-2009, 06:30 AM

Thanks for the tips.
Looks like the 25 ft 50 to 30 power cord is cheaper than buying an adapter and separate 30 amp power cord.
The storage facility where I keep the Monty has 15 amp hookup, so that will make that easier also.

bncinwv · 07-10-2009, 06:39 AM

That is what I have exactly, and use it as you describe. 15 amp adapter to use at stickhouse, and a pigtail adapter to use it with our Kipor generator.
Bingo

BB_TX · 07-10-2009, 06:54 AM

I checked Camping World and found the same cord on sale for $99.99. About $20 less than Tweety's. Never hurts to check all options.

tim43 · 07-10-2009, 08:18 AM

I bought the 30 amp cord from Walmart and got the 50 to 30 dog bone, or is it leg, from Camping World.

Art-n-Marge · 07-10-2009, 08:23 AM

Make sure you the 50 amp connector to 30 amp cord is the molded yellow style with the really nice strain relief. I have a black one and the black connector separated from the exterior cover and now I have to buy new connector ends (about about $50 a piece).

Go for the best quality at the onset. In fact, if you can find it, look for a 90 plug at the RV connection to minimize stress.

bullroc3 · 07-11-2009, 05:15 AM

I have a question on this adapter that I hope someone can answer.

Is the 50 amp female end a twist lock? The male plug on my 2005 Montana is a twist lock.

I like the locking ring idea.

kjchamberlain1 · 08-30-2009, 06:01 AM

I don't know if this will answer your question but we ran across the same problem with the 50 amp wire we got with our camper in cold weather the wire was hard to bend, so we were talking to a welding guy and he told us to purchase welding electrical wire by the foot, called 4 in 1 and then my husband added the 50amp male and female ends just like the original. You can get the 50 amp male and female ends at a Camping store and the welding wire can be picked up at a welder shop it is sold by the foot we got 50ft. It was well worth it. Now when we go camping in cold weather that wire is so bendable and easy to pick up and store away.
I just don't know why Keystone didn't think of this.

Tom S. · 08-30-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by kjchamberlain1

I don't know if this will answer your question but we ran across the same problem with the 50 amp wire we got with our camper in cold weather the wire was hard to bend, so we were talking to a welding guy and he told us to purchase welding electrical wire by the foot, called 4 in 1 and then my husband added the 50amp male and female ends just like the original. You can get the 50 amp male and female ends at a Camping store and the welding wire can be picked up at a welder shop it is sold by the foot we got 50ft. It was well worth it. Now when we go camping in cold weather that wire is so bendable and easy to pick up and store away.
I just don't know why Keystone didn't think of this.

Welder wire is flexible because it is made up of a lot of very fine copper wires, whereas the wire in our cords is single strand. The outer coating is also very soft, but that makes it more prone to cuts, while the coatings on the regular power cord are a lot more durable and will take a ton of abuse. Power cords get stiffer in cold weather because of the coverings, not because of the wire. The reason Keystone doesn't offer it is probably cost. Stranded wire is more expensive, and by the time Keystone wrapped it in a durable sheathing, it would probably be just as stiff. especially in colder weather. I tried to coil our power cord in 20 degree weather at Yellowstone and it was real #^&%$%(@!

tspoon · 08-30-2009, 12:45 PM

this is what I use for $ 65 and a 30 amp cord from wallmart.
http://www.adventurerv.net/parkpower...er-p-2722.html

farmboy · 08-31-2009, 02:30 PM

Actualy proper sized welding cable is samler in awg wire size than the #6 wire used in normal rv cable. Also the outer covering is very tough. I used welding cable all the time to wire up standby generators to the auto switch gear. A whole bunch easier to handle than normal wire and could use a smaller wire size due to diferent ratings per national electric code.

Bill-N-Donna · 08-31-2009, 11:51 PM

We are using the 30 amp also. I found it a lot easier to pack and un-pack the cord away. I don’t know of any reason that we would need a 50 amp unless on a real hot day you are using so much power the cord might get somewhat hotter. Of course we only have one AC and I believe that if you have two A/c’s that is where the 50 amp is needed. We also use a W/D combo and we use the electric heater in the water tank. I’ve not had any problems so far using the 30 amp but I am keeping a watch to see how warm the cord gets.
.

BB_TX · 09-01-2009, 04:46 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by kjchamberlain1

...........he told us to purchase welding electrical wire by the foot, called 4 in 1 and then my husband added the 50amp male and female ends just like the original. ...........

I assume you are talking about the power cord for a welder. Welding leads are large single conductor wires rated for 100 amps or more, depending on the welder. But the power cord (on my welder) is only a 3 conductor cord.
My welder power cord (on a Lincoln tombstone) is rated for 50 amps, but is only about 5' long. Don't know if it is large enough gauge to carry 50 amps for 25' or so. And the insulation is not all that thick and not protected by an outer sheathing.

NCFischers · 09-01-2009, 05:13 AM

The wire will easily carry the 50 amp load for 25 feet and a good deal more. The voltage drop is insignificant at that distance.

Sinterior · 09-01-2009, 10:42 AM

Hi, several years ago I bought a 30amp cord with a 50amp twist lock trailer plug, no pig tail from Camping World. I foget what I paid for it, but it was sure a LOT cheaper than in Canada, and it's so much easier to use when you dont need 50amp service.

Sinterior · 09-01-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by BB_TX

Thanks for the tips.
Looks like the 25 ft 50 to 30 power cord is cheaper than buying an adapter and separate 30 amp power cord.
The storage facility where I keep the Monty has 15 amp hookup, so that will make that easier also.

That's it exactly.

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