50 amp to 30 amp?

RagingRobert · 09-21-2023, 08:01 AM

I'll be taking/plugging into a big rig 50 ft/50 amp campsite with my 30 ft/30 amp average rig in a few weeks for our Thanksgiving

I have one of those 50-30 amp adaptors but just making sure there's not an over powered issue...seems like there could be

I'm getting fed 50 amps when all I should eat is 30

Pretty sure there's not an issue with the hairdryer/heater/toaster oven working like never before

I'm no electrician, but I'm thinking this could blow up my surge protector/panel

I'm hoping it's a simple case of there's 50 amps available but I'm only allowed to use 30 thanks to breakers and fuses

wiredgeorge · 09-21-2023, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagingRobert

I'll be taking/plugging into a big rig 50 ft/50 amp campsite with my 30 ft/30 amp average rig in a few weeks for our Thanksgiving

I have one of those 50-30 amp adaptors but just making sure there's not an over powered issue...seems like there could be

I'm getting fed 50 amps when all I should eat is 30

Pretty sure there's not an issue with the hairdryer/heater/toaster oven working like never before

I'm no electrician, but I'm thinking this could blow up my surge protector/panel

I'm hoping it's a simple case of there's 50 amps available but I'm only allowed to use 30 thanks to breakers and fuses

The 50 -> 30 adapter cable pulls in one leg so you will be on 30A power using it. Use a good EMS (always toss this in). By the way, punctuation works as well as

Cheesehead4Life · 09-21-2023, 08:33 AM

I’m confused. I’m reading two different things. Are you a 30 amp rig plugging into a 50 amp pedestal? I don’t see as many campgrounds like others on this forum. But any place I’ve been that has 50 amp service also has had 30 amp plug in the same elec box.

Martian · 09-21-2023, 09:05 AM

Not to worry! Circuit breakers will make sure you do not pull 50 amps. With electricity, it is not how high the supply is but what your breakers are designed for. Don't make it complicated. Plug in and enjoy.

TXiceman · 09-21-2023, 09:47 AM

As noted, the 50 to 30-amp dog bone connects to one leg of the 50-amp plug. The circuit breaker in the pedestal is still 50-amp, but your rig is still protected by its own 30 amp breaker.

This may be helpful to understand RV power.
https://www.rvtechmag.com/electrical/chapter3.php

RagingRobert · 09-21-2023, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the reassurance's and the grammar lesson...

@3 yes, the last site had both 50&30 amp connections but this big rig site apparently has only the 50 amp so the dog bone is required. Please don't asked why it's called a dog bone

Jnscall · 09-21-2023, 02:56 PM

We just bought a 50 amp service traile and plan on using a dog bone to connect to a 30 amp service. I've been reading its ppssable to do so . Any thoughts out there about that.

Bandito · 09-21-2023, 05:58 PM

@Jnscall, you should be fine as long as you limit your electrical use. That means only one AC unit at a time and if you need the microwave on too, be sure that there aren’t any other large electrical draws like a fireplace running at the same time. Though you would be very unlikely to run an AC unit and a fireplace at the same time, right??

coop341 · 09-21-2023, 07:50 PM

Since as you stated your trailer is wired for 30 amps. Your trailer will not draw anymore amperage on a 50 amp connection than it would on a 30 amp connection.

RagingRobert · 09-22-2023, 01:49 AM

@7...make sure you get the right dog bone, yours will plug into a 30 amp receptacle...the one I have plugs into a 50 amp...you probably knew that right

Amazon has them for around $20 Canadian. Anyway, why is it called a dog bone?

**JRTJH** · 09-22-2023, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagingRobert

@7...make sure you get the right dog bone, yours will plug into a 30 amp receptacle...the one I have plugs into a 50 amp...you probably knew that right

Amazon has them for around $20 Canadian. Anyway, why is it called a dog bone?

Use your imagination, I'm sure you'll see the resemblance....

dutchmensport · 09-22-2023, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesehead4Life

I’m confused. I’m reading two different things. Are you a 30 amp rig plugging into a 50 amp pedestal? I don’t see as many campgrounds like others on this forum. But any place I’ve been that has 50 amp service also has had 30 amp plug in the same elec box.

You've never been to some of the Indiana State Parks then, have you? Whitewater State Park still has only 30 amp hook ups. There are a few more that have only 30 amp hook ups.

In addition, we've been some campgrounds that had ONLY 50 amp receptacles too. It's not an issue for us if it's only a 50 amp receptical, but in our past when we had 30 amp travel trailers, it was. So, even to this day, I still carry 50 to 30 amp, and, 30 to 50 amp adapters. I also always carry my 50 amp Progressive portable EMS and our previous 30 amp Hughes Autofoamer, because .... when you travel you just never know what kind of situation you're going to end up at.

For the OP. You are perfectly fine plugging in your 30 amp camper into a 50 amp campground electric pedestal as long as you are using the adapter.

50 amps is still 120 volt. You will be using only 1 leg of the 2 - fifty amp sides of the campground hook-up. Both sides (both legs) are on their own fifty amp breaker (100 amps total). You are using only 1 side. And, you will only be using, at a max, 30 amps of that 50. If YOUR camper exceeds the 30 amps in usage, the main breaker in your camper will trip. That's all that will happen. The campground pedestal still has 20 more amps to go before it will trip.

Feel free to use the adapter and don't worry about anything. You'll be fine.

For your situation, a 30 amp EMS is a good thing to always use. I use a Hughes Autofoamer (30 amp) when we don't have 50 amp outlets. I also have a 50 amp Progressive EMS. Both are portable and I'm never hooked up to shore power without using one or the other, depending on available 30 or 50 amp.

RagingRobert · 09-22-2023, 12:11 PM

Yes @11, I see the resemblance if I really use my imagination

Lets all make sure we don't let our dogs chew on them

ToddCarey · 09-24-2023, 10:22 AM

You are fine to plug into the 50 power. Your distribution panel in your RV will have what is called a "main breaker", which is your case will be a 30 amp breaker. It is code mandated to be there to protect your panel from an overcurrent situation.

RagingRobert · 09-24-2023, 12:19 PM

Thanks Todd...enough assurance already

Tell me though, what do I do to keep the dogs away?

David_F · 09-28-2023, 08:16 AM

I don't see where anyone let you know if that is your exact adapter then you have the wrong 30A female on it. The prongs should be vertical not angled. I don't want you to get to the campground and not be able to connect.

RagingRobert · 09-28-2023, 08:41 AM

In my situation the plug in pedestal at the site is 50 amp only...my RV and plug is 30 amp...so I'll need the dogbone that plugs into the 50 amp and then I'll plug my 30 amp plug into the other side of the bone. Switch up the bone ends if your RV is 50amp plugging into a 30amp...good to have one in your adaptor kit box in case your at a 30amp site.

notanlines · 09-28-2023, 08:45 AM

“ Switch up the bone ends if your RV is 50amp plugging into a 30amp.”
Better give this some thought.

RagingRobert · 09-28-2023, 08:57 AM

Not sure what you mean...I plug the proper dogbone into a 50amp receptacle/pedestal to reduce it and allow me to plug in my 30 amp plug...if his situation is a 50amp plug reducing to 30amp to have some power, he requires the opposite male/female setup no?

David_F · 09-28-2023, 09:11 AM

Sorry on my post you have the correct one, shouldn't be working and reading at.the same time. You are also correct on 30 to 50 I do that at home as I already had a 30a ran for my old trailer.

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