Power

[gerryball]

My questions is- does the AC unit work as well if we are hooked into 30amp shore power instead of 50amp shore power? I know that you can't run both on 30amps but wasn't sure if one ran as well on 30amps. I usually carry only my 30amp cord(and use adapters) instead of the 50amp because the 50amp is hard to coil up and store. I was told that the 30amp cord will still deliver 50amps to the trailer but might get a little heated if you are drawing power over a long period of time.

Thanks for any help.

[jh.xsnrg]

First, for safety, who ever told you that 50A across the 30A cord is okay, is well, not okay It would turn the cord into a "glowy bit", and start to smell really bad before things really go down hill. The 30A cord should only be used in the 30A socket on the pedestal, or any lesser (20A, 15A) plug with an adapter. A 30A cord should never have a 50A plug end installed on it unless it also has a 30A breaker right next to the 50A plug end.

Now the other question, one AC will run without problems on a 30A circuit, two will also run if you do not have anything else running with them, or at least not much. The real current draw happens when the compressor starts, and uses quite a spike. If you want to run 2 on 30A regularly, you should look at a device like a MicroAir Easy Start, which will greatly reduce the start-up current draw.

[huntr70]

You can everything on the coach off of 30 amp.

You have to be more selective, as you only have 30 amps to play with. You already know you can't run 2 a/c units on 30, but also think about the water heater on electric, the microwave on the same time as a/c, and curling irons/hair dryers. They will most likely trip a breaker somewhere.

[gerryball]

Thanks for the info. I'm wondering, why do they make a 50A male to a 30A female adapter? At my house I have a 50A plug with a 50A breaker wired from my main box. So by using the 50A to 30A adapter to a 30A cord is a bad idea. My 30A cord does not have a 50A plug wired to it. Everything goes through the adapter.

Some time back when we had our old trailer we were at a RV that only had 50A service so they loaned me a 50A/30A adapter.

I sure do not want to melt things down or even worse burn things down.

Again thanks for the info

[geotex1]

If you are not consciously monitoring your electrical demand, you really should stick with a 50A cord to ensure your safety and the safety of others around you. Adapting down has it's time and place and requires conscious use so as to not become a fire hazard. Have you considered investing in a cord reel to help you handle the 50A cord? They are available with motors too. Also, shorter cord lengths might be an option, and you can have a cord made that uses a higher strand count, and therefore more flexible wire to make a cable that has more flex. For whatever reason, the industry built around RVs uses lower grade cords whereas you can find much higher quality in the marine realm and also for heavy generators.

[jh.xsnrg]

Thanks for the info. I'm wondering, why do they make a 50A male to a 30A female adapter? At my house I have a 50A plug with a 50A breaker wired from my main box. So by using the 50A to 30A adapter to a 30A cord is a bad idea. My 30A cord does not have a 50A plug wired to it. Everything goes through the adapter.

Some time back when we had our old trailer we were at a RV that only had 50A service so they loaned me a 50A/30A adapter.

I sure do not want to melt things down or even worse burn things down.

Again thanks for the info

It is okay to plug a 30 amp camper into a 50A plug because the 30A camper has a 30A breaker in it. Ideally you would want the breaker to also protect the cord, but any dead short will still trip the 50A breaker, so for the most part it is okay.
It is the same concept of plugging a 1200w toaster into a 15A circuit. The toaster is made to draw only 10 amps (10A*120V=1200)*, even though the outlet can supply more.

The problem is if you have a camper made to draw 50A and you are using a 30A cord plugged into a 50A socket. Your 30A cable becomes the fuse.

* yes for those that know electricity, the 1200 is VA not W, but I picked a resistive load so power factor is near 0

[gerryball]

Ok thanks. Next question. Can I have the 50A breaker taken out and have a 30A breaker put in it's place using the same 50A female plug. Then use the 50a to 30a adapter?

[Wicked ace]

Ok thanks. Next question. Can I have the 50A breaker taken out and have a 30A breaker put in it's place using the same 50A female plug. Then use the 50a to 30a adapter?

You could, but you would need to be conscious of the spare wire in the cable from the inlet to the panel. It would be oversized but that's a good thing.
As far as the outside wall connection it's better practice and safer to replace the male socket. A 30 amp is the same size and screw hole dimensions so it's a direct swap.
https://www.amazon.com/Furrion-43186...YDBCNWP3SGWYX1

[geotex1]

Ok thanks. Next question. Can I have the 50A breaker taken out and have a 30A breaker put in it's place using the same 50A female plug. Then use the 50a to 30a adapter?

Possible - yes. However, I don't know about California, but this won't pass Code here and no licensed electrician will do it.

If you're willing to spend that kind of money for a conversion, I have to ask again why not purchase a more flexible, 50A cord? Seems like you are talking about this for use at your residence too, so maybe a shorter cord as well? Let me point you to Glendinning. They make all of the power umbilicals for luxury coaches and 5th wheels.

[Jerryr]

Ok thanks. Next question. Can I have the 50A breaker taken out and have a 30A breaker put in it's place using the same 50A female plug. Then use the 50a to 30a adapter?

If your going so far as replacing the 50 amp breaker with a 30 amp double pole why not instead replace the 50@/240 breaker with a 30a/120 and replace the receptacle with a proper 30 amp TT-30R RV Receptacle? That eliminates the 50 to 30 adapter.

If at a later time you buy a 50:amp trailer it can easily be converted back to a legal 50a/240 circuit.