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11-07-2010, 07:47 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 351
M.O.C. #10119
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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.
__________________
DPAM
2017 GMC Denali diesel, crewcab, 4x4, regular box.
2010 Montana 3150RL- Moving to Montana Package , Hickory Edition Package, wet bolts
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11-07-2010, 08:10 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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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.
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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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11-07-2010, 08:39 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Oakland
Posts: 887
M.O.C. #5811
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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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11-07-2010, 09:07 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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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!
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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11-07-2010, 09:59 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 351
M.O.C. #10119
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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.
__________________
DPAM
2017 GMC Denali diesel, crewcab, 4x4, regular box.
2010 Montana 3150RL- Moving to Montana Package , Hickory Edition Package, wet bolts
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11-07-2010, 11:53 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Grand Blanc
Posts: 2,508
M.O.C. #5965
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Our 50 amp EMS unit works on both 30 and 50 amp boxes with no problem.
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11-07-2010, 01:05 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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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!
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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11-07-2010, 03:28 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,053
M.O.C. #5091
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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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11-07-2010, 04:02 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ft. Smith
Posts: 981
M.O.C. #116
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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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