For all of you who do not understand the purpose of the dual 15 amp to 30 amp adapter. In many generators, there are two windings. Each winding produces a little more than 13 amps. (13+) The two winding can be wired to give 13+ amps at 240 volts or wired to give two 13+ amp 120 volt outputs. A RV needs more than 13 amps to run its appliances in most cases. Using one plug will not adequately power the RV. Combining the two 13 amp outputs of the generator with the dual plug will produce 26+ amps. That is plenty to run a RV in most cases.
Another use for the dual adapter is to allow the RV to plug in a normal home duplex outlet. Many homes are wired with 20 amp circuits going to 15 amp outlets. If a RV draws more than 15 amps, using only one 15 amp outlet, the 15 amp adapter and 15 amp outlet will be overloaded. The plug and outlet will get hot. In some cases the single plug adapter will melt after extended use at 15+ amp current draw. Using the double plug adapter will spread the (up to) 20 amp load across two 15 amp duplex outlet. If the RV draws 20 amps, each 15 amp outlet will have 10 amps going through it. That is well within their rating. The outlet and plug will stay cool.
There are many advantages using the dual adapter. It forces the use of heaver 30 amp extensions. This will reduce the voltage loss to the RV. It has a better physical hold to the outlet. It is smaller than a dog bone. The only problem I have had with the dual plug adapter is that many who sees it want to “borrow” it. They seem to forget to return it.
The thing to remember, using the dual plug adapter: It is designed to plug into standard 120 volt duplex WALL outlet. Never use extension cords on the plug side of the adapter. Not using this basic rule, could be unsafe. Plugging the dual adapter into a duplex outlet with two legs of power (220 volts) will pop the breaker immediately. It may spark and make you jump when you plug it in, but usually, will not damage anything. As stated before: It is for 120 volt use, not 220.
wra wrote: It may spark and make you jump when you plug it in, but usually, will not damage anything.
Please define "usually"
Also, what do you think of this idea: "I think I will go deliberately short out a 220V circuit"
While I understand and appreciate all the safety features that proper electrical wiring offers, and while "usually" things are ok, there are "occasionally" electrocutions and fires.
One caution on using the RV30A-15A "DUAL" Honda Adaptor (AMAZON) shown here:
photos from google images
These units were specifically designed for use with Inverter Type Honda, Yamaha, & Kipor generators - This adapter converts the two standard 15/20 AMP outlets to one RV 30 AMP outlet. Both sets of contacts in the receptacle are connected together.
This will not work on those receptacles that are separate outlets. Most standard house wiring receptacles are wired together so you can use one here.
Some generators have the two outlets on the front panel separated from each other as separate 120VAC outputs. This adaptor will not work for this type of setup.
I have been using this adpator for years for my 2KW Honda generator connection to my 30A trailer shore power connection. I set my 2KW generator in the tail gate corner of my truck and when I need to use the generator I just pull it out onto the tail gate of the truck and plug-in the RV30A trailer shore power cable directly to the generator.
This adapter cannot be used to add two 15A/20A circuits together to make a single 30A power source. It is only an adapter from a 15A/20A 120VAC house circuit to the RV30A connection. It is still only a 15A/20A 120VAC service connection.
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
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Also, what do you think of this idea: "I think I will go deliberately short out a 220V circuit"
While I understand and appreciate all the safety features that proper electrical wiring offers, and while "usually" things are ok, there are "occasionally" electrocutions and fires.
Engineers have learned never to say never. There is always an exception. If a person plugs the adapter in normally it will pop the breaker if the outlet is wired to two legs of 120 volt lines. If, in the same case, the adapter is plugged in very slowly and then pulled back slowly, it can draw an arc. In such a case it could leave a black mark on the contacts. If the person puts a piece of flammable material in the arc, it could ignite the material. Such an incident is very improbable unless a person is trying to perform such a task. The adapter has been around a longtime. If there was a problem it would be all over this forum. There have been many mentions of a single plug adapter melting, warping and starting fires. You can make your own decision on which adapter is best.
Seems strange. If you plug into 2 different circuits that are 15 amps each you could have some excitement that you don't want. If something else on one of the circuits shorts then the breaker pops. Since you are on 2 circuits which are wired together as they should not be, the hot one will feed into what ever is left of the shorted side. That could be FIRE WORKS. That is nuts!
Jdog, In the example of the kitchen circuit, as any 240 volt circuit, the circuit breakers must be tandem and connected together. (Kitches circuits are supposed to be dedicated.) If one blows, both are tripped. If you understand how AC circuits are wired, the two hot wires would be shorted together through the double plug adapter, not the RV. The adapter is constructed heavy enough to take the short with no damange. An RV is hooked: hot to common, not: hot to hot. So the short path does not go through the RV. I know many people who do not understand electricity will continue to confuse people on this forum, I wish they wouldn't. I hope that they would keep their far out "what if" theories to themselves, or at least PM me.
These guys are not talking about a 240 volt circuit and breakers. They are talking about 2 separate 110 volt circuits with separate breakers, not tandem 220 breakers. I didn't say the fire works would be in the trailer. ,it would back up to what ever else was on the shorted circuit after the blown breaker because of the two circuits wired together. Think about it!
jdog You need to think about your question. If in the situation of two 120 volt circuits, on the same leg are hooked to the adapter, and one leg is shorted and trips the breaker...The other leg will feed through the adapter and be shorted as well. It will trip its breaker too.
There are many people who can't read the instructions.. or the instructions were not included by the seller...The double plug adapter is for a 120 volt duplex WALL outlet ONLY. Some people will do stupid things, not following directions. Some people would put their finger in an energised light socket. Seldom is it fatal, as the path from hot to common is usually just through the finger. Putting extension cords on the prong side of the adapter is in that catagory.
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