Making my own dogbone

[SLAMMER]

The dog bones that I see for sale or not quite long enough to go from the 50 amp plug into the RV’s tail and give me enough room to plug a 30 amp plug into my generator/inverter. (located on my fold down rear rack/shelf. I want some flexibility to locate it anywhere on the shelf. I don’t want anything longer than 5-6’ in length
So I wanted to make a custom cord about 4-6 feet long so that I can put the inverter Anywhere on the rear fold down rack.
My question is, when I connect the black wire of the 110V leg. (I’m going to delete the red wire as this pigtail will only carry 110V 30 AMPS) using the color coding on the 50AMP twist lock plug. Does it matter which leg (black or red) I put the power into the Trailer. (I have a 2020 328RL) In my past life as a general building contractor it didn’t matter if you crossed red or black. (in residential wiring) Each leg carried 110V. But I’m not sure if the sub panel to my trailer is wired to split AC, microwave on one leg and house outlets Etc. on the other.
Any real life info would save me calling the dealer.

Thank you in advance,
SLAMMER

[flybouy]

If you are asking about supplying your 50 amp trailer with a 30 amp supply, then connect the 30 amp black wire to the 50 amp black AND red wire terminals. The distribution panel in the rv does split the two hot hot legs but there isn't any 220 volt appliances (using both legs). Realize that you will be limited to 30 amps total not the 100 amps (2 50 amp legs) so what you can operate will be limited.

[SLAMMER]

If you are asking about supplying your 50 amp trailer with a 30 amp supply, then connect the 30 amp black wire to the 50 amp black AND red wire terminals. The distribution panel in the rv does split the two hot hot legs but there isn't any 220 volt appliances (using both legs). Realize that you will be limited to 30 amps total not the 100 amps (2 50 amp legs) so what you can operate will be limited.
So to be clear separate the stranded black wire into a “Y” Placing the left side of the “Y” in black lug and the right side of the “Y” in the red lug.
Correct?
Interesting....
Thank you
SLAMMER

[flybouy]

The black wire of the 30 amp plug should connect to the terminals for the black and red wires of the 50 amp plug.

[SLAMMER]

Ohhh, use a jumper!
That works too!
Big help!
Thanks

SLAMMER

[CedarCreekWoody]

I agree with Slammer. An insulated jumper would be a better choice than splitting a cable.

[JRTJH]

I'd question why you'd need to jumper the two legs inside the 50 amp plug?

Essentially, each leg of the 50 amp source provides 50 amps and the 30 amp side of the dogbane will never draw more than 30 amps, so connecting the neutral, ground and only one hot leg will accomplish the circuit requirements without jeopardizing the "upstream electrical system" to which the dogbane will be connected.

This schematic is the way my 50/30 amp dogbane is wired. It works and I've never had any issues with it.

Now, if you're wanting to go from 30 amps to 50 amps, then you'd need to jumper the 50 amp plug legs so you have potential power on both sides of the circuit. There's a difference between a 50/30 amp dogbane and a 30/50 amp one...…

[flybouy]

The OP is going from a 30 amp generator to his 50 amp camper.

[JRTJH]

The OP is going from a 30 amp generator to his 50 amp camper.

Yes, and to "build a dogbone" for that purpose, jumpering the two hot leads at the 50 amp plug is OK....

For clarification for some do-it-yourselfers who may read the thread and think, "I'll build my own 50 to 30 amp dogbone using this method, and then plug that "shorted between the two hot leads" plug into a campground pedestal will be in for a "spectacular fireworks display"....

I wanted to address the difference between a 50 to 30 amp dogbone and a 30 to 50 amp one. (for the novice DIY reading and secondguessing)….

[chuckster57]

If I am reading it right the OP wants to make a dogbone extension cord. Dogbones are usually less than 24" and he is wanting 4-6 feet. Your are correct in that he can tie the 30A HOT line to the 2 50A hot lines so that both sides of the breaker panel will be powered.

[bobbecky]

Typically, the generator end of the cord will be a twist lock outlet, so a 30 amp twist lock male plug will be used for that end. https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-HBL26CM11-Volt-Twist-Lock-Connector/dp/B0000AY83P
Then, on the trailer end, normally that will be a 50 amp RV plug that goes into the trailer receptacle. https://www.amazon.com/Power-Locking-Connector-Replacement-Marine/dp/B077YQ92B4/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=50+amp+rv+plug&qid=1578780556&sr=8-8
Using those two type of fittings will eliminate connecting to a pedestal in a way that would cause a short between the two hot legs. In the 50 amp plug, that would be where a jumper can be used to tie the two hot legs of the plug together from the 30 amp feed from the generator.

[SLAMMER]

Typically, the generator end of the cord will be a twist lock outlet, so a 30 amp twist lock male plug will be used for that end. https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-HBL26CM11-Volt-Twist-Lock-Connector/dp/B0000AY83P
Then, on the trailer end, normally that will be a 50 amp RV plug that goes into the trailer receptacle. https://www.amazon.com/Power-Locking-Connector-Replacement-Marine/dp/B077YQ92B4/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=50+amp+rv+plug&qid=1578780556&sr=8-8
Using those two type of fittings will eliminate connecting to a pedestal in a way that would cause a short between the two hot legs. In the 50 amp plug, that would be where a jumper can be used to tie the two hot legs of the plug together from the 30 amp feed from the generator.
for my Generator/inverter is not a twist lock my Champion 3100 is push plug 3 prong yes this is a 30 to 50 AMP application I also got a 15 AMP adapter to use TV or cool refer before a trip the night before.

[Logan X]

Typically, the generator end of the cord will be a twist lock outlet, so a 30 amp twist lock male plug will be used for that end. https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-HBL26CM11-Volt-Twist-Lock-Connector/dp/B0000AY83P
Then, on the trailer end, normally that will be a 50 amp RV plug that goes into the trailer receptacle. https://www.amazon.com/Power-Locking-Connector-Replacement-Marine/dp/B077YQ92B4/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=50+amp+rv+plug&qid=1578780556&sr=8-8
Using those two type of fittings will eliminate connecting to a pedestal in a way that would cause a short between the two hot legs. In the 50 amp plug, that would be where a jumper can be used to tie the two hot legs of the plug together from the 30 amp feed from the generator.

Thanks for this. I think I’m going to make one to connect to the 30amp twist lock outlet on my generator. 30 amp RV to 30 amp twist lock. Great idea!

[WDPatterson]

Slammer, you're running a 3100 watt (peak) Champion inverter??... remember that that will only work best in cooler weather. You can run one air conditioner, but not much else. It will run your water heater, your refrigerator, and you'll probably have to swap out some other stuff by turning off the water heater.

[SLAMMER]

Water heater and refer when not on shore power will be powered by propane. One AC should be fine 90% of the time given cooler summer elevations. I’m hoping to supplement some of my electrical needs with small 200 watt solar system down the road. Thus preventing the noise from the generator disturbing me and others
SLAMMER

[WDPatterson]

Would this be of any use??

https://www.campingworld.com/two-30-amp-male-to-one-50-amp-female-y-adapter-27l-95720.html

[jimborokz]

I have a Champion 3500 dual fuel and I just use on of these:

GoWISE Power RVA4015 RV Twist Lock Adapter - 30A Male to 50A Female

search Amazon

Then I have a 15' 30A extension. That wire gauge is not too heavy and you can coil it up pretty easy and shorten to 5 or 6'. I've also seen 10' extensions.