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AP
Inverness , Fl. U.S.A
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Joined: 06/06/2001
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I have a question that maybe some on this forum has the answer to .
I've seen those outlets listed in the camping world catalog that is supposed to be used when you want 50 amp service and the campground only has 30 amp. It has 2 cords , 1 that plugs into the 30 amp outlet and the other plugs into the 20 amp outlet.Then you plug your 50 amp cable into the outlet box and you're supposed to have 50 amp service.
Has anyone every used this outlet and does it work as claimed?
Thanks
Alan ,Lora & Fur Buddies, Enjoying Life
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NORM WADDELL
PENSACOLA FL 32514
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Joined: 11/16/2000
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I have not used one, but they should work IF
the 20A and the 30A receptacles are fed by
different circuit breakers. Assuming these
breakers and their circuits share the load in
a 30A/20A way (very unlikely) they will supply
50 Amps at 115 Volts (NOT LIKE THE 50A AT 230
VOLTS SUPPLIED BY A NORMAL CAMPGROUND 50A CIRCUIT,
WHICH IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 100A AT 115 VOLTS).
This use of the 30A and the 20A in parallel would
not be approved by anyone who knew anything about
electricity. It parallels the two breakers, and
they are not approved to be paralleled. A short
circuit might produce enough current so that
they, although opening, could NOT interrupt the
flow of current, causing a fire or worse.
Additionally, if the 20A breaker is a ground fault interrupter (GFI) type, the connector will
not work.
I do not recommend using those things.
L NORMAN WADDELL
30 FOOT ALLEGRO
SATURN TOAD
WIFE AND 2 DOGS SUGAR BEAR & COCO BEAR
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great dane
borrego springs ca.usa
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Joined: 05/04/2001
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AP.
Norm`s decription tell it pretty well and all the 20 amp.receptacles I have seen at rv. parks are the (GFI)type,you better think twice before spending about 50 bucks.
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 12/07/2000
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Norm:
Before people get the wrong idea: a 50 amp circuit for a motorhome only uses one leg of the circuit so it is a 50 amp. 120 volt circuit not a 100 amp, 240 volt.
SARMAN explains it much better than I did!! I was going to rewire my board and break the circuits as Newmar does when you factory order the 2000 Heart inverter. I had a 2500 Heart installed by CW and found that I could run everything off the inverter, something that shouldn't be done and can't be done with the factory wiring setup. They add a second 30 amp box and wire one leg of the 50 amp to it, then they put both air cons and the convection/microwave into it.
*This Message was edited on 31-May-02 11:01 PM by Deen*
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BurmaShave
Arizona
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Joined: 09/26/2001
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Anyone who has 'smoke' in his user name is not to be trusted around electricity !!! :}
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Satman
McLoud, OK, USA
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Joined: 11/28/2001
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Alan,
I am going to add some more information to the mix, so here goes.
1. 50 AMP service at a campground or elsewhere is a 220 volt circuit with two hot wires, one neutral wire and a ground wire (hence the four conductor plug that is used on 50 AMP service). Each leg (hot wire) should be rated for at least 30 AMPs at the breaker panel.
2 The RV breaks this 220 volt circuit into two 110 volt circuits at the breaker panel inside the RV.
3. Our previous MH had 50 AMP service and I installed a Heart Interface inverter in a permanent configuration so I had to decipher the wiring prior to wiring the inverter into the breaker panel. What I found was two 110 volt circuits that fed the RV. One leg (a 30 AMP breaker) fed all appliances, the front ac unit and all ac outlets in the RV. The other leg (a 20 AMP breaker) fed only the rear ac unit. Also the generator had a 30 AMP breaker on one leg and a 20 AMP breaker on the other leg. I can't state that all RV's are wired in this manner but ours was.
Now to get to the box you spoke of, yes it works well but there are some qualifications:
1. It will not work if there is a GFCI circuit involved (Trips the GFCI circuit)
2. If both the 30 AMP and 20 AMP circuit are on the same line/breaker and it is only rated at 30 AMPs, you will more than likely trip a main breaker somewhere in the campground (voice of experience).
3. Assuming that they are on different circuits and have ample circuit breaker capacity, it will work.
4. Understand that in some old campgrounds you run the risk of causing problems because of lack of capacity.
Yes it work and works well but you have to be judicious in using it. I have had some limited success but too often I run into GFCI circuits that preclude its use.
As Smoke stated, the most success you can have is if you find two 30 AMP services back to back, then you can be aussred that it will work, only problem here is that the other 30 AMP service is usually another campsite that may be needed by another camper.
So to sum it up, yes it works as advertised but you need to read the fine print that comes with the directions. I always prefer to find 50 AMP service if available even if I have to pay extra. Hope this helps clear the air.
Dan & Vonieta Stogner
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Cummins 400 HP, ISL
2014 Honda CR-V Toad
1 Westies, Millie
Think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived.
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havasufun
Big Bear Lake, Ca (Snow Summit)
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Joined: 03/13/2002
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If the park provides a 20 amp and a 30 amp separate service to the pedestal they would have a 50-amp outlet on it also. Here is what you do.... Use the camping world adapter/cheater only plug the 30 amp into your pedestal plugs then the 20 amp side into your neighbors with an extension cord (when they are not looking). I think you can get away with using your pedestal if you do not exceed 35 amps total.
Lots of luck
Paul
2004 Alfa See Ya Gold 40' 400 ISL, Hummer H3 Toad,Ram 1500 4X4 Quad Cab Toad, 24' Hallmark Cargo Trailer, 20' Carson Toy Hauler when we need the extra room.
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Satman
McLoud, OK, USA
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Joined: 11/28/2001
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Paul,
What a sneaky guy. When I'm out camping I'm going to keep an eye out to make sure you're not parked next to me and using my 20 AMP service. You evidently understand how these boxes work well enough to figure out every possible angle that will work. Have a Super day!
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closed
Denver ,Colo
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Joined: 07/18/2001
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The CG we're in now is a Branson Mo. They ahve their 50a outlet locked unless you pay for 50a. They also have GFI (great ____ inconvenience) on their 20a outlet so cheaters can't be used. I fabricated my own "cheater" from parts bought at Home Depot for about $30. It worked fine the one time I needed to use it. If 50a is available and I have to pay for it I'll pay. We used to refer to such devices as "kludgies" in the Navy and i avoid them when i can.
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Firevet2
Standish, Ca.
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Joined: 03/24/2002
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I have been told that if you use a 30 amp. pigtail on your 50 amp. rig you will be fine if you don't use both ac units at once....true?
Steve & Jan
99 Alpine
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