50 amp vs. 30 amp cords

[Slufoot733]

WOW, this is our first 50 AMP unit and that 50 AMP power cord is a beast! We have ONE air conditioner and most times 30 amps is adequate. I'm thinking about adapting a 50 amp twist plug to a 30 amp adapter so I can use the 30 amp extension cord to supply my power needs (when feasible). This way I could plug into the 30 amp receptacle at the post and not exceed the cords rating. Safety first you know. Has anyone done something like this before? If so how well did it work out for you? Any suggestions for or against this idea?

Thanks,

Kevin

[OntMont]

You can buy such adapters at Camping World and similar places. There are at least two options, one is to just buy and adapter and use it with the normal 30amp extension cord, another is to buy a 30 amp cord with the 50 amp adapter at one end. Many years ago, I bought this latter type, and use it all the time. It is a yellow Marinco brand cord. Very flexible and easy to handle. Cost a bit more, but it is one purchase I never regretted. Also, keep in mind that the connectors on power cords are a weak point from an electrical point of view. The more you can avoid them, the better your power supply will be.

[richfaa]

Kevin..BeaverFalls, PA.Home of Joe Namath. We are from New Castle, PA.... The 50 to 30 amp adapter can be purchased most anywhere..wallmart for example. Yes that 50 amp cable is a bear but the camper is 50 amps and there is a lot of stuff to run in there so we use the 50 amp cable.

[BB_TX]

I bought this 30 amp cord with a 50 amp connector. At the time, it was on sale for about $110. Oh so much lighter and easier to handle than that big black beast. Would basically be the same as using a short adapter and a 30 amp extension.
I use the 50 amp if in hot weather and we expect to be using the AC (only have one), microwave/convection, washer/dryer, electric water heat, etc or any combination simultaneously. Otherwise, I just use the 30. Have only tripped a 30 amp pedastal a couple times and that was running the AC, microwave, and dryer at the same time.

[racerjoe]

On Ebay I found a couple of vendors that sell the 50-30 adapter for about $75.00. Do a search and you will get a few to come up

[greener]

We bought a ready made adapter cord that goes from 50 amp at the trailer to 30 amp at the post side. They`re kind of pricey but you can make your own if you`re handy with electrical cords.

[Slufoot733]

Great info everyone, thanks. I'll look into these options.

[TLightning]

I opted to just get a 50 amp extension cord...never can tell when you might need all 50 of that power. Got it on sale here: http://rvwholesalers.com/

[RickW]

I have a 50A to 30A dogbone connector. Plug it in to the trailer and then use a 30A extension cord. Use it all the time if we don't need to run the A/Cs. Much easier to handle.

[mhs4771]

I had a 30 amp cord with a bad receptacle left over from my previous TT, just cut off the end and installed a 50 twist lock with the locking ring and use it all the time at the stick house because I only have a 30 outlet on my pole. The 50 amp twist lock is pricey, but it bets the heck out of using adapters.

[richfaa]

Remember now that the "50Amp " is really 50 amps per leg so you have 100 amps available. With 30 maps you got 30 amps..thats it.

[davefleck]

I removed the 50 Amp end from 50 Amp cable and bought 50 feet of 10/3 SOW and installed it along with a 30 Amp Male end. That 50 Amp cord is a beast especially with the cable they use.

[racerjoe]

I think the point that you are missing is a lot of these are just weekend campers,like us, and a lot of the places to park only have 30 amp service. The trailers are set up for 50 amp,so what else can you do? At this point it is just a matter of convenience.

[richfaa]

If there is only 30 amps one has no choice.We have the pigtail and use it when necessary. These big units have all the goodies that use a lot of power nowdays. We have more than once seen more than 30 amps total drawn on the two legs on the 50 amp service. It is important to make sure the power is properly distributed. Example you don't want both A/C's on the same leg. We note that with mimimum usage like tv on, couple of lights and what ever is running in the backround we will see maybe 3 amps on leg one and 1 or 2 amps on leg two (per our PT 50C.) so with 30 amp service you are already using 3 to 5 amps which leaves you 25 or so to use. A/C 10+ coffee maker 10+ Wife decides to turn on the hair blower....lights out...

[exav8tr]

We have two cords, the anaconda 50 amp and the garter snake 30 amp. We always use the 50 amp when we have 50 amp power and the 30 amp if we do not. We have pigtails, dogbones and adpaters for any combination of power. We also use the Hughes Autoformer where ever we park. It is the 50 amp one and we usually need two pigtails when parked in a 30 amp space. We USUALLY remember to turn off the AC when using the microwave when on 30 amp power, If not, a trip to the power pedestal is in order. Just remember to lighten your electrical load when reseting the breaker. I have found that electricity can be very persnickety....A dead microwave and a dead analog TV can attest to this.....

[ols1932]

We also carry 100 feet of 15-20 amp cable for those times when we can park near a relative's home that might, just might have an outside receptacle. works for us.

Irv

[KDS MONY]

I prefer to use the 50 amp cord regardless of whether or not we use 30 or 50 amp at the pedestal. Basically for two reasons, one I always put our portable surge protector in the line and secondly there is less resistance through the 50 amp cord than a same length 30 amp cord and in a marginal voltage situation with high draw there will hopefully be less problems for your electrical devices to deal with voltage drops. Best wishes, Jay and Kathy

[jimc]

With a single AC, I found no need for the 50 amp cord unless I wanted to run the AC, microwave, HW heater, and fireplace at the same time. So, I got 25' (should have gotten 30) of #10 flex cable at Lowes, a 30 amp dryer plug, and a 50 amp male connector from Northern Tool (considerably cheaper than CW - $30 I think from Northern for the plug). I never use my 50 amp, and it is a pleasure using the lighter 30 amp. Plus, many campgrounds now are charging more for 50 amp, so I think it has paid for itself over the past 3 years. When you hook up the 50 amp female end, you just have to jumper the two hot sides with a short piece of #10 wire.

[Jdrobone]

Excellent and very accurate logic Jay and Kathy. The more current you use the more voltage you drop on that smaller cable, the more voltage lost on the cable the more current motors seek. Increased current then drops more voltage - downward spiral.
Regards,
Jerry

[Slufoot733]

Thanks all for the imput. I leaned a few things here and I appreciate it. I did get a 25' 30A cord with a 50A plug on the end. I will use this at home and at campgrounds with 30A only, or when I don't expect a heavy draw. But I will watch carefully my power needs and use the big cord when necessary. It's nice to have the option though.