NorthernLimits
Michigan
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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Ok, this is what I have on the camper.
And on the other end of the cord is a 4 prong thing like this...
Now am I reading it right that the camper is wired for 240v?
Then there is a dog bone adapter that takes the 4 prong to a 3 prong that looks like this...
Is that above still for 240v? Can I plug it into my 240v plug in my garage that looks like this...
Last question...what exactly am I getting with all the stupid adapters and it plugged in like this to 120v? I know the AC doesn't turn on but it's also snowing and 20 degrees out.
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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Joined: 11/30/2000
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Going from 50 Amp RV to 30 Amp Dog. Bone to 20 Amp power cord. You get 110 V .
I would not plug into that outlet if it is 220/240.
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008 Type C
Ford Flex SEL 2010
There is no B+
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mockturtle
WA
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I'm no electrician but I think if you plugged into your 240 garage outlet it might fry everything in your camper system.
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
6.8L Ford V-10 Engine, E450 Chassis
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
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NORM WADDELL
PENSACOLA FL 32514
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Joined: 11/16/2000
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Here's a start on your answers
The four prong male plug shown is for 220 Volt as follows:
The round prong is a ground and does not normally carry current.
The middle prong is a 'neutral', and the other two prongs normaly
feed it as a 'return' path (I know it's AC, but forget that for now)
The other 2 prongs are 220 volts apart........BUT, the loads in your
RV are probably wired to connect between ONE of those wires and
the neutral, for 110 volts.........110 volts from each outer
prong (wire) to the neutral (center)
When you use an adapter to a 3 slot receptacle, which is 110 volts
ALL the wires in the RV are connected to ONE 'hot' wire
You can (try to) run everything, but you are limited to the
breaker size on the campground supply........probably 30 Amps.
With a 220 volt 4 slot campground supply you get TWO circuits
of 110 volts, EACH fed by a 50 Ampere breaker......MUCH MORE
current available....100 Amps, not 30 Amps.
If you use adapter to get to a normal house receptacle, you
will be limited to 15 or 20 Amperes (depending on the house
circuit breaker)......
L NORMAN WADDELL
30 FOOT ALLEGRO
SATURN TOAD
WIFE AND 2 DOGS SUGAR BEAR & COCO BEAR
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john&bet
North Vernon,in.
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I am an electrician. PLEASE DO NOT plug your camper into your garage welder outlet. If you want more info please feel free to PM me.
2004.5 Dodge 2500ctd Quadcab. Lariamie, 3.73, auto. pure stock
2005 Montana 2955 5er
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Dutch_12078
Great Sacandaga Lake, NY
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If you think of your 4 pin RV service as two 50-amp 110-volt circuits sharing a common neutral, which is how it's typically used in most RV's, rather than a 240-volt service, then maybe it will make more sense to you. The 4 pin to 3 pin adapter simply allows you to plug into a 30-amp 110-volt outlet for use in campsites that do not have 50-amp service. Since it only has a total capacity of 30 amps though, the use of multiple appliances in your RV is restricted.
Dutch
1995 Coachmen Catalina 322QBXL
F53 chassis, 460 V8, TST TPMS
Quadra Bigfoot EZ Levelers
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/Blue Ox baseplate
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NorthernLimits
Michigan
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Makes sense now.
So it's really not 240, just looks like it.
Now I have to figure out how to get a 30 or 50 amp, 120v plug in my garage.
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mockturtle
WA
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Most of us just get a 30 to 20amp adapter to plug into home outlets. Make sure if you use an extension cord it's rated to carry 30amps.
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Brent and Gina
Arkansas
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mockturtle wrote:Most of us just get a 30 to 20amp adapter to plug into home outlets. Make sure if you use an extension cord it's rated to carry 30amps.
I'm not an electrician either, but is that necessary? Wouldn't the 15/20a breaker on house flip if too much current is drawn by the RV? This would seem to me that a regular 20a extension cord is fine. You know, adapt down from 50a to 30a to 20a extension cord. I've used a smaller extension cord somewhat regularly, but I don't use anything but lights in the RV (mostly). If I'm wrong, then let me know 'cause I've been a bad, bad, boy.
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mockturtle
WA
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All I know is that we once used a 20amp cord and, when we ran the A/C in the RV the cord plug got so hot it partially melted. Using a 30amp extension we had no problems.
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