50A questions

[bobbyg123]

Hi everyone,

I'm taking delivery of our new 5th wheel on Saturday, and it will be my first time owning a 50A camper.

I do a lot of tailgating where I'm hooked up to my Honda 2000 generator, and there are many sites we visit that only offer 30A power. Given that, I'll no doubt need to pick up some power adapters. My surge protector is also 30A, but GOOD GRIEF, a new 50A surge protector is $300+. :E

Any thoughts on what I absolutely need vs. what I can do without?

Thanks in advance!!

[time2roll]

RobWNY wrote:
Here's the surge protector that I bought. $109 Link
I don't know about out West but in the Northeast, campgrounds are starting to prohibit 50A RV's from staying in 30A sites. Not all but it seems to be the trend. I ran into this problem last summer when I tried to book a site at a KOA near Pittsburgh.

I recommend something with EMS in the model number

[RickLight]

nickthehunter wrote:

Me Again wrote:
OK, here is the deal. If you plug your new trailer into a 50A outlet with neutral missing, you burn up most of your AC devices with 240V across them...

Um No it won't. A missing neutral will not cause an otherwise properly wired 120V device to see 240V.

Take 2 circuits on opposite sides, say 2 AC units. They are both tied to the neutral. When both units are on, without the neutral, the AC units will be in series across 240V. Not quite the same as each unit seeing 240V, but not good!

Edit/ I guess I should add that if the 2 devices are not equal then they won't see equal voltages. Say one is a small light and the other an AC. The AC would see most of the voltage.

[laknox]

RobWNY wrote:
Here's the surge protector that I bought. $109 Link
I don't know about out West but in the Northeast, campgrounds are starting to prohibit 50A RV's from staying in 30A sites. Not all but it seems to be the trend. I ran into this problem last summer when I tried to book a site at a KOA near Pittsburgh.

Be interesting to see what they'd say if all 50a spots were taken and 30a spots were available. Turn them away and leave an empty spot, or take the money?

Lyle

[nickthehunter]

Me Again wrote:
OK, here is the deal. If you plug your new trailer into a 50A outlet with neutral missing, you burn up most of your AC devices with 240V across them...

Um No it won't. A missing neutral will not cause an otherwise properly wired 120V device to see 240V.

[time2roll]

bobbyg123 wrote:
I guess what I should have asked is this. Can I simply use a 50A to 30A adapter and plug into my 30A surge protector?

Yes

[RickLight]

It's very important to fully understand the differences in the systems. A 50A connection is NOT 20A bigger than a 30A one, it's 100A. Confusing right?

A 30A connection will be OFF if the neutral fails.
A 30A connection is 120V and can not give 240V.

If you need more, just ask...

[Me_Again]

RobWNY wrote:
Here's the surge protector that I bought. $109 Link
I don't know about out West but in the Northeast, campgrounds are starting to prohibit 50A RV's from staying in 30A sites. Not all but it seems to be the trend. I ran into this problem last summer when I tried to book a site at a KOA near Pittsburgh.

I do not believe that unit will shutdown on an open neutral if it occurs while in use. It will indicate an open neutral on initial plug in.

The EMS units include this statement:
Accidental 240V Protection.

Chris

[RobWNY]

Here's the surge protector that I bought. $109 Link
I don't know about out West but in the Northeast, campgrounds are starting to prohibit 50A RV's from staying in 30A sites. Not all but it seems to be the trend. I ran into this problem last summer when I tried to book a site at a KOA near Pittsburgh.

[Me_Again]

OK, here is the deal. If you plug your new trailer into a 50A outlet with neutral missing, you burn up most of your AC devices with 240V across them.

I have two trailers with 50amp service and both have hardwired Progressive Industries EMS units with remote panels that I installed myself.

I highly recommend this device.
https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Industries-Hardwired-Electrical-Protection/dp/B003AN1UA8/ref=asc_...

Regarding the generator. PI EMS require a bonded neutral and ground, Honda eu generators do not have that. You take a male cord cap and put a jumper between Neutral(silver) and Ground(green), plug that into one side of the duplex outlet and the trailer into the other. The EMS will be happy and turn on the power.

Did I say that a lost neutral will burn up most or all your AC devices! Yep, but I will say it a second time!!!! A friend had this happen to his America Eagle MH and the repair was 12K+! TV's frig, MW, converter, inverter on and on.

BTW
Using a 50amp to 30amp dog bone does not expose you to the lost neutral issue when you plug into a 30amp circuit on the power pole.

Chris

[DutchmenSport]

Sorry for miss-interpertation. Yes, you can use a 50 amp to a 30 amp adapter and step DOWN to 30 amps:

Here.

Or go the other way from a 30 amp to a 50 amp, but you'll still have only 30 amps. The 30 amp protector will work both ways on shore power:

Here.

There are countless other places you can get these adapters, including Camping World and Wall Mart.

If using a 30 amp service on a 50 amp RV, the secret to success is power management and run as many items as possible on propane or battery.

[bobbyg123]

I never use a surge protector on a generator. As someone else mentioned, when I'm connected to generator power, it's only for low draw usage. Furnace, TV, microwave, etc.

[H__Cramer]

I have read you do not want to use a Surge Protector on a Generator, only on a Land Line.
Out

[enblethen]

Yes, on using the surge protector. Make sure you switch heavy items to propane. Water heater, refer.
Your genset will not be large enough to support AC units.
You will need a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter, Thet is a female 50 to a 30 amp male.

[Bumpyroad]

if you can manage your electricity use to get by on 30 a an adapter will suffice. if you need more, reserve a 50a site. and as stated, a good SP is a wise investment.
bumpy

[bobbyg123]

I guess what I should have asked is this. Can I simply use a 50A to 30A adapter and plug into my 30A surge protector? Out here in the Pacific NW, we rarely need 50A power, as we don't often use the AC when camping.