Power cord adapter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 72
From: Springfield
Power cord adapter
While not a towing question I was hoping this would be the place to ask and get an answer in decent time. My 50 amp cord was stolen from my 5th wheel, I was given a 30 amp cord from my uncle. I don’t have twin AC units in my camper which from my understanding is the main purpose of the 50 amp. I really don’t feel like spending the $100 minimum to buy a a new cord so I was hoping I could cut the old 30 amp end off the cord I was given and wire on a 50 amp end? Is this remotely ok and if so how would I go about hooking the wires up? The camper end is twist lock as is the 30 amp cord otherwise I’d use a readily available adapter.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 20
The 50 amp circuit has four conductors. Two hot legs, a neutral and a ground. This is how the circuitry in your trailer is wired. The 30 amp cord will only have three conductors, as it only has one hot. You won't be able to use that 30 amp cord without doing some re-wiring or using adapters. I
f you don't understand to circuitry I would recommend biting the bullet and getting the correct cord. If you miswire the new cord you might damage some things in your trailer.
f you don't understand to circuitry I would recommend biting the bullet and getting the correct cord. If you miswire the new cord you might damage some things in your trailer.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 72
From: Springfield
Definitely hoping someone speaks up with experience. The factory 50 amp twist lock only has 3 terminals, the same as the 30 amp. I’d buy an adapter if I could find one less than the cost of a complete cord. I checked and the one I saw was over 100 for just the adapter.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 20
Definitely hoping someone speaks up with experience. The factory 50 amp twist lock only has 3 terminals, the same as the 30 amp. I’d buy an adapter if I could find one less than the cost of a complete cord. I checked and the one I saw was over 100 for just the adapter.
The 30 amp twist lock receptacle lacks the contact on the side, hence only three wires. I have RV'd for 25 years and full-timed for 11, with both 50 amp and 30 amp trailers. And I have wired both types of outlets. Is that experienced enough for you??
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 72
From: Springfield
While that is enough time, I bet there is someone that has done what I’m wanting to do. The adapters are doing the same thing I’m wanting to do, no reason I can’t do it unless someone tells me otherwise.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 20
Good luck to you...
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 72
From: Springfield
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
The OTHER obvious thing is that if you are faking the system by trying to use a 30 amp wire in a required 50 amp circuit you will either cause a fire or melting the 30 amp cable when you attempt to use over the 30 amps the RV was wired for. You must have 2 air conditioners or other reason your RV was made to requite it to have a 50 amp system. Buy the correct cable for your RV and be done with it. Why screw around to save a few bucks and possibly kill someone ?
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 451
Likes: 41
From: Carstairs Alberta Canada
Just an FYI, and I might be wrong as I am not a licensed electrician, 50 amp RV is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually 2 30 amp services going to your trailer not straight 50amps, that is why you can not just connect the dots and rewire a plug, I have seen electricians do it wrong that were not familiar with an rv 50amp circuit.. Also when you say you do not need 50 amps unless you have 2 A/C that is also not true, you can easily use more then 30 amps in your trailer just by having your hot water tank, fridge, and 1 a/c on at the same time.
