50 amp to 30 amp and 20 amp Adapters

[kdanielson]

Hi,

I have a new 2016 Thor Miramar that has a 50 amp service. I see that there are adapters available to convert the 50 amp to 30 amp and even to 110v 20 amp.

Is converting to these services as simple as buying the adapters? or is there more to it?

(I'm new to the RV world...)

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by kdanielson

Hi,

I have a new 2016 Thor Miramar that has a 50 amp service. I see that there are adapters available to convert the 50 amp to 30 amp and even to 110v 20 amp.

Is converting to these services as simple as buying the adapters? or is there more to it?

(I'm new to the RV world...)

It depends on what you want to use in the RV. Before you can use either adapter safely, you or someone needs to calculate the total current that will be drawn by all the devices you wish to run simultaneously. Then that current must be compared to the capability of the circuit you are going to plug into. You must also check the current handling capability of any additional extension cords that might be involved.

Ken

[kdanielson]

Thanks for the info Ken,

So, if I understand what you are saying... I can buy an adapter to 'physically' connect to either a 30 or 20 amp service, but when connected, I need to make sure that I don't exceed the limit of the specific service. i.e. if I'm connected to a 30 amp service, I need to manage what I turn on so that I don't exceed the 30 amps... correct?

Another related question:

Is the 50 amp service I have in my coach 230V / 50 amp? or is it 110V / 50 amp?

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by kdanielson

Thanks for the info Ken,

So, if I understand what you are saying... I can buy an adapter to 'physically' connect to either a 30 or 20 amp service, but when connected, I need to make sure that I don't exceed the limit of the specific service. i.e. if I'm connected to a 30 amp service, I need to manage what I turn on so that I don't exceed the 30 amps... correct?

Another related question:

Is the 50 amp service I have in my coach 230V / 50 amp? or is it 110V / 50 amp?

That is what I am saying, I get paid by the word.

If you have any 220 appliances, I am not smart enough to know what happens then. I'd just be guessing.

I'm passing on the last question. Sooner or later someone who knows more than I will come along. You however, have generated enough interest in me, that I am going to do some research. My only experience with 50 amp service is to plug in a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter so I could plug my 30 amp RV into it.

If I'm not helping much, at lest I'm Keeping your post active.


Ken

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by kdanielson

Is the 50 amp service I have in my coach 230V / 50 amp? or is it 110V / 50 amp?

It is 240V/50amp in that there are two 120V legs that if you measure across them you'll get 240V. Your RV, however, should not have any 240V appliances.

Typically 50A service uses one 120V leg to power all of the systems in the RV and one A/C unit. The other 120V leg powers the 2nd A/C.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

It is 240V/50amp in that there are two 120V legs that if you measure across them you'll get 240V. Your RV, however, should not have any 240V appliances.

Typically 50A service uses one 120V leg to power all of the systems in the RV and one A/C unit. The other 120V leg powers the 2nd A/C.

Thanks for clearing that up.

I am guessing that the 30 amp adapter will feed both those legs in parallel. Am I correct? (or just 1)?

Ken

[TurnerFam]

we use these adapters quite often on our 50a coach - no issues. matter of fact, right now it is sitting in the driveway with the 50-30, 30-20a adapters all in place, plugged into an extension cord to the house residential 15a circuit outlet.
I have the inverter/charger on, keeping the batteries charged, and several fans on for the summer time heat escape, as well as the fridge.

yes, it is about electrical draw management - so I also set my Charger 'Shore Power' setting on my Magnum panel to only 5a, since this is the maximum amount I want the Charger to use to keep the batteries charged while parked, leaving the balance of the power for the other items.

no, I don't believe that 30a service is divided due to the fact that it is only ONE hot leg, and it is only a single breaker, though others may weigh in on this...

[gentilebrian]

Yup. Just get a 50 to 30 adapter then a 30 to 20.
It's very important to get a good 12 gage extension cord. Also the longer the cord the harder it is to pull power threw it so if you only need 25' just get a 25' not a hundred. Keep the ac off. The rest should be fine. If you try to pull to much you can feel the cord get warm.

[JamieGeek]

Yeah I believe the 30A -> 50A adapters only power one leg.

[Chance]

Try a forum search on this subject. It's been a while so I may not recall details correctly, but it seems someone wrote that their motorhome had a power management gizmo that automatically connected both 50-Amp legs to the 30-Amp's single leg.

I'm not even sure if that was correct, or whether it's available on all 50-Amp motorhomes. I think it may have had to do with not all generators being able to produce 240-Volt power.

[Hooligan2]

When a 30-50 amp Adapter is used with a 50 amp Service, the single 30 amp leg is connected to both of the 50 amp legs by the internal jumper in the plug.

50 amp service provides 50 amps on each of the legs, 100amp total. 30 amp service is a single leg at 30amps.

Complete discussion of RV electrical is available here: FTLS - Electrical Distribution

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Hooligan2

When a 30-50 amp Adapter is used with a 50 amp Service, the single 30 amp leg is connected to both of the 50 amp legs by the internal jumper in the plug.

50 amp service provides 50 amps on each of the legs, 100amp total. 30 amp service is a single leg at 30amps.

Complete discussion of RV electrical is available here: FTLS - Electrical Distribution

Thanks a lot for the link.

Ken