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Can I Safely Plug a 50 Amp RV Into 30 Amps?

by Elaine Overby
(St Augustine, FL)

How to Plug a 50 Amp RV Into 30 Amps

How to Plug a 50 Amp RV Into 30 Amps

I have a 2002 Tiffin Allegro Bus. It is rated for 50amp service use. If I volunteer at a Park which only has 30 amp service will this damage my motor home's systems and/or appliances?

ANSWER: The good news is: Yes, you can safely plug your 50 Amp Motorhome into 30 Amp Electrical Service. All you need is a 50 amp female to 30 amp male electrical adapter (also known as Dog Bones) that will allow you to plug directly into 30 amp shore power at a campground. Using 30 Amps will not damage your RV.

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OK now for the bad news, in most cases when your 50 amp RV is plugged into 30 amp shore power you will have some limitations on how many appliances you can run at one time. If your RV is equipped with 2 Air Conditioners, you may only be able to run one Air Conditioner unit at a time. If you try to use both AC units at the same time you may pop the shore powers 30 amp circuit breaker.

On some newer model RVs that have more energy efficient AC units you may be able to run two units on 30 Amps as long as you do not attempt to run other electrically demanding appliances such as a microwave, hair dryer, electric heating element for a water heater, etc.

The video below shows how to properly use Dog Bone Adapters to step down to 30 Amps or even to 15 or 20 Amps.



Here
are the 30 Amp to 15 or 20 amp Dog Bone Adapters mentioned in the video.

Some newer RVs are equipped with an Energy Management System (EMS). EMS is a system that automatically controls the appliances in your RV to stay within the power that is available to your RV. If you are using your AC on a 15 or 30 amp circuit it will turn off (shed) other appliances so that you do not trip the circuit breaker on the power source.

Some of these Energy Management Systems can even be programmed to start your RV's generator to provide additional power so that you do not trip a circuit breaker. One thing to keep in mind is that not all RV campgrounds allow generators to be used because it can disturb other RVers.

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The bottom line is the only way you will know for sure how well your motorhome will function on 30 amps is to plug it into 30 amps and see if both air conditioners will run at the same time and what other appliances you can or cannot run at the same time and then you will know for sure if you can be comfortable in your motorhome when it is plugged into 30 amps.

I hope that this information has been helpful.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Comments for Can I Safely Plug a 50 Amp RV Into 30 Amps?

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starstarstarstarstar 		heat n lights
by: steve leanos

I got a pop up camper n I need heat n lights
What do I need my camper has a 30 amp cord on it should I install a 30 amp fuse breaker or step down to a 20 amp dog bone
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		50 amp service to 30 amp RV
by: Anonymous

Nobody seems to have covered the 50 amp service to 30 amp RV question. Obviously there are adapters available for this but is it healthier for the RV to have a little more power available than what it needs as long as that 50 amp power runs through the 30 amp RV breakers properly?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		50 amp rv service to 30 amp
by: Anonymous

I have a 50 amp service on my rv and when there is only 30 amp service at the campground I use an adapter. The problem is I have burned one pole on the 30 amp plug twice. I can not figure out why the circuit breaker doesn't trip if overloaded before the plug burns.
Thanks
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		not good for breaker box
by: Anonymous

You might be able to run your RV with a dog bone plug but the bad news is that it can damage the breaker box at the campground. The wiring for a 50 amp in the box is a lot heavier wire then a 30 amp. I've seen melted wires and buss bars in the breaker box.
The wire and breaker will heat up then the RV with the 50 amp will leave. When the wire and breaker cools down it becomes become brittle and when the next RV comes in the problems happen. My advice as a campground owner is to plug into the proper outlet.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Using a 50 amp in a 30 amp RV Park
by: Hubie


Progressive Industries 50 Amp - 30 Amp Compact Adapter

I have been in some older parks where you could not use a dog bone adapter due to the limited space or a weather protector lid and that is when i get out my grounded adapter that is only 2 inches thick and will fit any box. Check amazon for the well built adapter.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		30 amp to 50 amp service
by: Anonymous

Can I saftely plug my 30 amp trailer to a 50 amp service with an adapter?? What would be the consequences ??
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		50 amp to 30amp
by: meatman

What happens to your 50 amp surge protector, when running on 30? Will it hurt your surge protector?

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