30 amp service

[dave and ginny]

We have stayed at a couple of state parks where we could only get 30 amp service. I tried using a "wish bone" adapter but it only trips the circuit breaker. When I use just the 30 amp side, the inverter doesn't work so the batteries aren't being charged although most of the 110 plugs do work.

Has anybody else had this problem or is my trailer wired wrong?

 

[mhs4771]

Dave does everything work when connected to a 50 amp service? If it does it sounds like there's a problem with you 30 to 50 adapter. A 30 to 50 adapter should take the single hot lead from the 30 amp service and tie it to both hot leads of the 50 amp plug.

 

[BradPAjax-REDW]

Dave,

Do you have a genny... if so check you did not trip one of the 2 breakers... we had that issue this summer and only half the unit was powered up.

 

[dave and ginny]

Dave does everything work when connected to a 50 amp service? If it does it sounds like there's a problem with you 30 to 50 adapter. A 30 to 50 adapter should take the single hot lead from the 30 amp service and tie it to both hot leads of the 50 amp plug.

I think the "wish bone" type of adapter is bad. I'll go out and see if anybody in this area has an adapter.

 

[dave and ginny]

Dave,

Do you have a genny... if so check you did not trip one of the 2 breakers... we had that issue this summer and only half the unit was powered up.

Evey thing works when I fire up the genny

 

[BradPAjax-REDW]

ok... if all fine with genny then you must have a bad adapter.

 

[dave and ginny]

Yep...I called "Go Go Gadget" and he agreed. We found an RV dealer in the area we are staying in and he sold us an adapter that fixed the problem. Now everything works but the fireplace which I had anticipated.

 

[mhs4771]

Dave, there is no reason the Fireplace shouldn't work. We were on 30 amps last weekend and ran our Fireplace most of the weekend.

 

[dave and ginny]

Dave, there is no reason the Fireplace shouldn't work. We were on 30 amps last weekend and ran our Fireplace most of the weekend.

Thanks for the information.....I found a tripped circuit breaker.

 

[UNDRPSI]

Dave I had the same problem with my wish bone adapter. But I have a surge protector and it wouldn't let any power into the coach. I was able to plug into both sides of the post that weekend and got through it. Bought a 50amp to 30 adapter and it worked great. I just cant run both ac's. I dont think the wish bone adapter is wired for both sides of electric on the 50 plug. I think that each side of the wish bone has only 1 hot side to the 50 amp plug. The 30 to 50 amp adapter plug is probably split and has a hot go to both sides of the 50 amp plug. I'm not a electrician but thats what I think is happening.

 

[Bob Morley]

At the risk of getting into hot water - as an retired degreed EE and journeyman electrician I offer this: if your RV is wired for 120/240 50 amp service then both sides of the 50 amp service could be used internal of the RV and through protective devices such as circuit breakers. If the RV is wired for 30 amp 120 volt and one should use a 50 amp to 30 adaptor then only one side of the 120/240 service, at the post will be used by the RV. In my travel trailer (being replaced next month with a Redwood 36RE) I will use my 50 amp to 30 adaptor whenever 50 service is available as the 50 amp breaker, at the post does not trip as frequently as the 30 amp breaker does. The RV is still internally protected and the power cord wire gage is good for the 50 amp (makes for a very heavy cord set!!).

Now I am in hot water!!

 

[mhs4771]

No hot water as you are 100% correct. We have done the same with our TT, used the 50 to 30 dog bone just to give a little extra. And congrats on you pending new baby (Redwood that is).

 

[Campers-THOR]

One pilot to another. Welcome. Thanks for the info