Can You Plug a 30 Amp into a 50 Amp Adapter Safely?

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Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Ted Mosby

Camping in an RV is as excited as it sounds. You are expecting creature comforts, modern appliances, and convenient electronics. And for all of that, you will need to connect your RV with a power source.

But, it isn’t as smooth as it seems – you might run yourself in a situation where you do have not the sufficient power required by your RVs Amp.

Sometimes you travel to a campground where you see only a 50-amp outlet while your RV is 30-amp. So, there will be questions in your mind that will surround you.

What to do now?

Can I hook up a 30 Amp RV to a 50 Amp adapter safely?

Should I change the campground?

Do I have to spend the whole trip without power?

Well, don’t worry. Some adapters make it easy for you to plug your 30 amp RV into a 50 amp plug, connect it to a generator if there is one, or plug it into a home outlet.

In this article, I will discuss everything related to this that you want to know.

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Can You Plug a 30 Amp into a 50 Amp?

Yes, it is possible to plug a 30 Amp into a 50 Amp adapter safely using a 50-amp setup. But for that, you will need another adapter. These special adapters do not usually come with an RV, but you can buy them from an RV store, electrical store, or a sizeable automotive store.

However, if you don’t want to waste your time finding it, you can quick internet search for a 30 amp to 50 amp adapter. Moreover, if you are sitting at a campground and they have an RV supplies store, you can get it from there, which may cost you a bit more than a distant store.

Here is my recommendation for the Best 30 Amp to 50 Amp Adapter for your RV

 

Once you have the adapter, you have to plug the adapter into the RV before connecting it to the live power post. The electricity that you will get from the adapter will be only 3,600W.

This electricity power would be enough for you to run your RV air conditioner on low, some lights, and a phone charger.

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How do 50 amp and 30 amp RV Adapter Work?

Before you opt for a suitable adapter, it would be best to know a bit of their background about the electrical system you are going to deal with. If you have an RV, you will either deal with 30-amp or 50-amp RV service since your RV will need one of them.

A 30-amp plug consists of three prongs. It includes a neutral wire, a 120V wire, and a ground wire, and is suitable for RVs with lower load requirements. While on the other hand, a 50-amp adapter consists of four prongs. It includes a neutral wire, two 120V wires, and a ground wire.

30 Amp vs 50 Amp Difference

These adapters generally come with a 120V, 50-amp male plug, and a 30-amp female outlet. To utilize the power, you just need to take the 30-amp cord of your RV out and then connect it to the female adapter’s socket. After that, you have to plug the male adapter into the 50-amp outlet of the campground.

Doing this in reverse while the power is on, you might blow a fuse in the system.

Difference Between 30 Amp and 50 Amp Service

30 Amp vs 50 Amp Difference

Besides a 30 amp and 50 amp RV adapter’s physical differences, there is another difference, and that is they both provide electricity in different ways.

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As mentioned above, a 30-amp RV adapter consists of three prongs, while a 50-amp RV adapter consists of four prongs (an additional 120V wire). This configuration means the 30-amp is suitable for RVs with lower power needs while the 50-amp is used for RVs with higher power requirements.

50-amp RV adapter allows larger RVs to run air conditioners, refrigerators, and other popular electric appliances at once.

Can You Hookup a 50 Amp to a 30 Amp Adapter?

Just like you can hook up a 30 Amp RV to a 50 Amp RV, it is also possible to hook up a 50 Amp to a 30 Amp adapter using an adapter. To do that, you have to plug the female end to your RV and the male end into the power pedestal.

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It is worth noting that when hooking up a 50 Amp to a 30 Amp adapter, you will not be able to get full power if you don’t use a 50-Amp receptacle. It means you will be limited to run some limited appliances that, too, with caution.

In other words, if you have an RV that is equipped with two air conditioners, you might be restricted to running only one of them. So, to avoid such a situation, it is a great idea to always keep a 30-amp adapter with you when you are at a campground.

What is Better? A 30 Amp or a 50 Amp?

Comparing 30 amp and 50 amp to know what is better entirely depends on how much power you need when you are at a campground. Converting the Wattages to Amp means you will need to multiply them by voltage. For instance,

  • 30-amp x 120V = 3,600W

Similarly

  • 50-amp x 120V = 6,000W

With a 50-amp shore power socket and 50-amp conductors, means you will get 12,000W that you can use.

Which RV to Generator Adapter Should I Use?

To hook up 30 amp or 50 amp RV into a generator, you should use an adapter that is made exclusively for this purpose. Generator plugs consist of both three prongs and four prongs. It means you will be required to make sure the adapter you are using is suitable for the generator’s plug style.

However, these styles have nothing to do with whether the RV cord is 30-amp or 50-amp. When opting for a generator, it is a must to ensure that it is capable of handling enough power that your RV needs. Some RV to Generator adapters that I recommend include,

Best 30 Amp RV to Generator Adapters

1. Comco Power Grip Adapter: CAM55272 (Three Prongs)

 

2. Mighty Cord Dogbone Adapter: A10-G30330VP (Three Prongs)

 

3. Mighty Cord Dogbone Adapter: A10-G30430VP (Four Prongs)

 

4. Comco Power Grip Adapter: CAM55382 (Four Prongs)

 

Best 50 Amp RV to Generator Adapters

1. Comco Power Grip Generator: CAM55412 (Three Prongs)

 

2. Might Cord Dogbone Adapter: A10-G30350VP (Three Prongs)

 

Can I Connect My 30-Amp RV to Home Adapter?

If you are not at a campground, you can still use your RV. Your kids can host a sleepover in the RV. It could also be used if you want to have some time alone, read a good book at a peaceful place, or work from home to complete your office tasks without any distractions.

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In any of the scenarios stated above, you will need to have electricity in the RV. If you have never played with the power before, I suggest you call a licensed and professional electrician. They will get the job done for you at a reasonable price.

Tips to Make the Most out of a 30 Amp Adapter on a 50 Amp Adapter

Here are a couple of tips that you can consider to get the most out of a 30-amp adapter on a 50-amp adapter.

1. Use the Generator

If you have a larger RV with you, chances are it will be equipped with its own onboard generator that is intended to handle the low power. If you are at a campground, they might have rules about running generators, especially the ones that run too loudly.

If the park allows you to run your generator for an hour or two, you should use that time wisely and turn on your AC to full before you turn off the generator.

2. Use Limited Appliances

Some RVs have a lot of appliances that need electricity to run, which means the biggest power draw of your RV. If possible, you should run only those appliances that are necessary.

3. Use Propane

Most of the RVs come with two-way refrigerators that use gases and special fluids to replicate evaporation effects. It means you can use either propane or electricity. If you want to save a bit of electricity, make sure to set the refrigerator to run on the propane.

Wrapping Up

That is all about how to hook up a 30 amp RV to a 50 amp adapter. I’ve discussed everything in detail, and I sincerely hope that this post will be useful for you.

For further queries, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

FAQ

Is it safe to hook up your 30 amp RV to a 50 amp adapter?

Yes, it is safe to hook up your 30-amp RV to a 50-amp adapter by using a 30-amp to 50-amp adapter.

Is it safe to hook up your 50 amp RV to your home outlet?

Yes, it is possible to hook up your 50 amp RV to your home outlet. However, I don’t recommend this for an extended period of time. If you want to hook up your RV with your home outlet, you should consult with a professional electrician.

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About Ted Mosby

I am Ted Mosby from Cleveland, Ohio. I am a Freelance Architect. I live in New Jersey, USA right now and I take my RV every alternate weekend. I own a Forest River Berkshire XLT Diesel 45A Class A Motorhome. As I am a Freelancer I can work anywhere so most of my work is done inside my camper remotely.