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Old 08-16-2014, 12:13 PM   #1
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RIG power cords

Is there a problem when I have a 50 amp cord that will not reach rig that I plug a pig tail to reduce it to my 30amp cord than plug another pig tail into my 30amp cord so as to increase back to 50 amp so i can use my 50 amp cord to reach my rig.

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Old 08-16-2014, 12:22 PM   #2
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No problem other than you will be limited to 30 amps due to the adapter.
And since you will limited to 30 amps the extra length should be no problem.
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Old 08-16-2014, 12:45 PM   #3
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Thanks Bill
I asked them at the dealership and they said no you cant. My jaw dropped as i know ive seen it done putting 30 and 50 amp cords to reach a rig. So I came to real experts here. They also claimed it would damage the rig. So unless anyone has and cons. I will be backed up 20 ft and plugged in.

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Old 08-16-2014, 01:22 PM   #4
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Just remember what your actual amps are.
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Old 08-16-2014, 01:24 PM   #5
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Right on the amps will only have 30Amp
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Just remember what your actual amps are.
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Old 08-16-2014, 01:48 PM   #6
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And remember, that will be 30 amps on one leg that is then split to both the 50 amp legs into your your rig. If you see yourself getting into that situation often, you would be wise to purchase a 50 amp extension cord if you desire full electric service to your rig.
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Old 08-16-2014, 02:36 PM   #7
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I don't even bother to take my 50 amp cord with me. I have only one AC and don't need it.
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Old 08-16-2014, 04:32 PM   #8
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I have wondered why Montana places the power in on the back of the 5'er why not place it on the side where most campground hook up are thus not needing a extension cord at all my keystone toy hauler has it on the side. The 50 amp cord is heavy enough a second one just adds to the frustration.
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Old 08-16-2014, 07:38 PM   #9
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I always say, you have surge protector on RV, you have some protection from power issues. I will tell you my 3750 does not like 30 amps. I have finally learned the combinations that work when connected to other than 50 amps. Personally I have never had issue with power at back of RV.
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Old 08-17-2014, 03:27 AM   #10
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I won't stay where I can't get 50amp. I would stay in a site with no sewer hook up and 50amp before staying in a site with 30amp and sewer hook up. Probably one out of ten or twelve CG's we have visited I have had to drag out the 50amp extension to reach the back of the coach.
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Old 08-17-2014, 04:19 AM   #11
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I have a 50amp extension cord and after several years of never having a use for it had a pigtail made so I can sub it for my regular power cord should it have a problem or be stolen.
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Old 08-17-2014, 04:46 AM   #12
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If you use a "pig tail" to reduce the fifty amp shore power to connect a 30 amp cord then another "pig tail" to connect to the fifty amp cord and then to the unit you are creating a possible over current situation on the 30 amp cord. The circuit breaker at the shore power will be 50 amps! Regardless of all else you are then capable of asking your 30 amp cord to carry up to 50 amps.

50 amp and 30 amp cords are different in more ways than just the amperage rating. The adapters (pig tails) do more than just change the connectors to allow connecting the other type cord. Your best bet would be to plug the thirty amp cord into the shore power 30 amp receptacle and then use a "pig tail" to allow your rig to connect to that cord. Or better yet, buy a 50 amp extension cord. Even the addition of the 50 amp extension cord could reduce available voltage if you are using many appliances at once. Talk with an electrician --one that knows RV's and they can give you the particulars on voltage drop and the "adjustments" the adapters make.

When all is said and done, it is always best to use the shortest shore power cord possible AND plug into an outlet with no greater amperage rating than the smallest rated cord you are using.

There is a very long discussion on this subject elsewhere in this forum. Find it and read it. It is a bit confusing because there are so many different ways of saying the same thing and some of the statements are not totally accurate but there is a lot of knowledge shared there.

Good Luck
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Old 08-17-2014, 06:40 AM   #13
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When parked at home we have always just run a regular extension cord from the house (15Amp) to the trailer. Probably about 50-60'. Have recently read where this might cause problems due to the long run of a small gauge extension cord. Now I am putting an adapter on the house receptacle directly on to our 30amp RV extension cord and then put a pigtail on the 50Amp cord to the receptacle on the trailer. Still only starting out with 15amps but with the heavier gauge extension cords I shouldn't be losing amperage. We only use this set up to keep the battery charged and run the fridge to cool it before trips.
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Old 08-17-2014, 11:50 AM   #14
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Hi

The key word there is “pig tail”.

If you are talking about the unit you purchase at CW or some other RV supply store that looks like and is commonly called a “dog bone” the no you can’t.

The reason is the “dog bone” crosses Line 1 and Line 2 it should trip the circuit breakers on a 50-amp service.



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Old 08-17-2014, 11:55 AM   #15
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So, this makes me wonder: If one isn't running both A/C units at the same time, why would one need 50 amps ever?
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Old 08-17-2014, 01:54 PM   #16
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I ran a 30 amp outdoor receptacle to my house back patio. My '13 3400rl is plugged into it as I type this, using a dogbone adapter to my 50 A umbilical. Both A/C units are running non-stop right at this moment cooling my rig down from 97 degrees a while ago. So, it seems 30 A is plenty for BOTH A/C units at once. No electric water heater going of course. In fact, other than the inverter, there is nothing else running. Not sure how much wiggle room is left to power up anything beyond the A/C units
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Old 08-17-2014, 03:38 PM   #17
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Mine stays plugged into a 30 amp service with that dog bone and my 50 amp power cord at the house......and have run it on a 50 amp power cord then a dog bone then a 30 amp power cord to reach a distant power pole.....works fine... but I never tried to work both AC's on it like that......guess it would worked since I have run the AC and water heater on it,,,,
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Old 08-17-2014, 11:53 PM   #18
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Hi

The OP is talking about using a “pig tail” to reduce the 50 amp cord to a 30 amp cord then using a “pig tail” to go back to a 50 amp outlet.

A 30 amp cord is only 3 wires.

If the OP is using the adapters similar to the one I pictured then he would trip the circuit breaker on the supply end of the cords because the 30 amp adapter crosses Line 1 and Line 2. That would be a dead short to the 50 amp supply outlet.

If the OP is using a “pig tail” he has made up himself then he would have combined the neutral and the ground leads and uses the 30 amp cord natural wire for one of the lines in both “pig tails” at both ends of the 30 amp cord. This is not a good idea either.

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Old 08-18-2014, 04:07 AM   #19
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Mark N.

So, this makes me wonder: If one isn't running both A/C units at the same time, why would one need 50 amps ever?
In our rigs, it's not just the AC. The frig, microwave, hot water heater and washer dryer (if you have one) can all cause the breaker to trip on the post if they come on in combination with an AC unit starting up. Not to mention the 20amps the big TV and Satellite system can draw. Having been there and done that managing your power use on 30amp can be a challenge in hot weather.
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