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Old 09-14-2018, 07:32 PM   #1
Jetfixer03
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Rookie power pedistal question...

Ok, stupid question. ..
We've camped about 15 times in our little 19 footer, but next week will be the first time ever we're camping with electrical hook up. (I'm giddy to have unlimited juice!) The campsite we've reserved shows 50 amp, we have 30 amp. I called and to ask if the pedistal had 30 and 50 plugs, they said they did. He didn't sound 100% sure, had to ask a co-worker. Im just curious, what % of the time do sites with 50 amp service have dual plugs vs needing an adapter?
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Old 09-14-2018, 07:47 PM   #2
flybouy
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Most of the time the pedestal will have a 50 A, a 30A and a 20 or 15 A outlets. If you plan on camping primarily in campgrounds then purchasing a 50A to 30 A dog bone adapter can be worth the investment for several reasons. Here's one that's pretty inexpensive https://tweetys.com/flat-wire-adapter-50-30-amp.aspx
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Old 09-14-2018, 07:53 PM   #3
bobbecky
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From our experience, most of the time when there is 50 amp outlets, there is also a 30 amp outlet. I'm sure there are exceptions, and if you are worried about it, a 50 amp to 30amp dogbone adapter should be on your rig. You might also want to carry a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter also, just in case you are parked at your house or at a friend or family's house and just need power for lights or just the fridge.

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Campe...ter+for+camper

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Dogbone...ter+for+camper
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Old 09-14-2018, 08:03 PM   #4
Jetfixer03
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I can see it being a definte must have, for example if the 30 amp plug was damaged. I do already have the 15-30 adapter for when I'm at home. I feel like I'll be living high on the hog with a hook up though. Concreat pad, nice level picnic table...God bless America!
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Old 09-15-2018, 06:18 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetfixer03 View Post
I can see it being a definte must have, for example if the 30 amp plug was damaged. I do already have the 15-30 adapter for when I'm at home. I feel like I'll be living high on the hog with a hook up though. Concreat pad, nice level picnic table...God bless America!
I most always use the 50 amp male to 30 amp female adapter at campgrounds because the 30 amp receptacle at the pedestal is sometimes worn out (arcing/poor contact).
This has been mentioned in other threads/posts on this forum.
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Old 09-15-2018, 07:32 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Jetfixer03 View Post
I can see it being a definte must have, for example if the 30 amp plug was damaged. I do already have the 15-30 adapter for when I'm at home. I feel like I'll be living high on the hog with a hook up though. Concreat pad, nice level picnic table...God bless America!
Be aware that using the 30 to 15 amp adapter decreases you available amperage by 1/2 so don't try to run the air conditioner, electric hot water, or other heavy amperage appliance on 15 Amps.
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Old 09-15-2018, 08:32 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
Be aware that using the 30 to 15 amp adapter decreases you available amperage by 1/2 so don't try to run the air conditioner, electric hot water, or other heavy amperage appliance on 15 Amps.
Agree, "bout all it's good for is running the converter to keep the batteries charged.
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Old 09-15-2018, 09:25 AM   #8
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If you don't have a surge protector/ems GET ONE ASAP to protect all the electronic equipment onboard from aging faulty park pedestals. YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID at some point. Mine has saved us numerous times.
If you have 30 amp rv get a 30 amp, hardwired or portable,.
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Old 09-16-2018, 08:43 AM   #9
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The hard wired is very nice, but I'm glad I bought the portable since we traded trailers!

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Old 09-16-2018, 12:13 PM   #10
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To be more accurate, the adapter doesn't decrease the current, the same 30 amps is available whether you run an adapter or not.

It is up to the consumer to make sure you keep your current draw below the 15 amps as attempting to draw more than that will cause the adapter to overheat and melt and hopefully pop the 30 amp breaker before the fire spreads too far
If a 30 amp trailer is plugged into a 15 amp adapter which can only fir in a standard 15 amp outlet then where are you getting the 30 amps? The 15 amp breaker for the outlet will be the limiting factor. Now if it's plugged into a 50 amp adapter then the caper's 30 amp breaker will be the limiting factor.
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Old 09-16-2018, 12:25 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
If a 30 amp trailer is plugged into a 15 amp adapter which can only fir in a standard 15 amp outlet then where are you getting the 30 amps? The 15 amp breaker for the outlet will be the limiting factor. Now if it's plugged into a 50 amp adapter then the caper's 30 amp breaker will be the limiting factor.
You're right, somehow with all the discussion of adapters etc I got stuck in my head on a 30amp x 15amp(115v) adapter. My thinking probably reinforced by my experience when using a 115v, 20amp receptacle on my generator and one of those 30/15 amp adapters....melted more than one.
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Old 09-16-2018, 12:34 PM   #12
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Typically if you are plugged into a 15 amp outlet, the breaker for the 15 amp outlet will trip well before you get close to 30 amps.
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Old 09-16-2018, 01:39 PM   #13
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Jetfixer03, Howdy;

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetfixer03 View Post
Ok, stupid question. ..
We've camped about 15 times in our little 19 footer, but next week will be the first time ever we're camping with electrical hook up. (I'm giddy to have unlimited juice!) The campsite we've reserved shows 50 amp, we have 30 amp. I called and to ask if the pedistal had 30 and 50 plugs, they said they did. He didn't sound 100% sure, had to ask a co-worker. Im just curious, what % of the time do sites with 50 amp service have dual plugs vs needing an adapter?
Well, the only stupid question is the one that's not asked. All the rest are good'uns.

Been livin' in this 30 amp. Cougar for almost 7.5 years now. Several parks some
new others (including present), not so new nor so fancy-schmancy. The newer
ones and those that bill themselves as GLampering oriented will most likely
have the newer pedestals with the 50/30/20 set-ups. choose what ya need and go for it.
Others, Older not so likely to be in a spending race with the others in the area
will have one or the other, like where I'm parked. It used to be a mobile home
park/court/whatever, anyway the owner split the sites in half and now it has
alternating 30 & 50 amp sites. Mine is a 50 amp. site but I've got a dog-bone
connector
and have had zero problems from it for 3 years now.
I'll agree that testing it prior to hooking up is always a good idea and your wee-bity
19 footer should have almost zero problems.

I run an oxygen concentrator, an oscillating fan, A/C and my fridge on ac full time in
the heat of Summer (Southern N.M.). At times, when I want to microwave something,
I turn off the A/C (highest draw), then nuke the crap outta whatever then continue with
the A/C. Not any problems yet (touch wood).
As mine is only a mere 11' longer then yours I don't think you'll have as many
problems as you may think.

Enjoy the camper, address the problems as the occur, there shouldn't be many
and they should be (hopefully), spread very far apart.

hank
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