Surge protector question: Using 50 amp unit on 30 amp service.

Chuck Richard

Well-known member
Hello All,

Looking for some help from the more experienced group. I was just reading about the NoCal fall rally and the park recommends a surge protector. Unfortunately I can't make the rally but it reminded me of a question. I would like to buy a surge protector but which one. I have the 50 amp power cord but most sites I go to here in Oregon have 30 amp service. If I go for the 50 amp will it work with an 30 amp adaptor? I hate to buy two as the better ones are quite expensive but I also do not want to buy a 50 amp and have it not work at the 30 amp sites. Hope someone with good electrical knowledge or just experience can help.

Thanks
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
Chuck,

There are a few popular brands of surge protectors and autoformers. I believe most of these will function fine on 30 amp service. I have a 50 amp Hughes Autoformer. Recently, I used it with a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter cable for a week and it worked fine.

Jim
 

htneighbors

Unbelievably Blessed!
Go ahead and cough up the bucks, Chuck! What's another couple hundred dollars? :D :D

A 50A Surge Guard like this one: 50A Surge Guard, is designed to trip when discovering a "miswired pedestal". Since a 50A surge guard is looking for (2) separate 120V circuits, I believe a 50A rig with a 30A adapter would fall into this category. :)
 

geeksrus

Well-known member
I've used my 50amp SurgeGuard with 30amp service using an adapter... you just have to watch that you don't overload the 30amp service that is now going to your unit.

In one park, we kept blowing the park's breaker but that was because they had crappy electrical service.

EH!
 

jmgratz

Original Owners Club Member
I use a Progressive EMS PT50C. I bought it several years ago. I recently used it at a campground in Mystic Lake Casino Minnesota and it tripped. It would not reset but it saved my rig from damage (probably a over-voltage spike). When I got to the Escapade one of the owners of Progressive EMS had a booth. I took it to him, he checked the device and found it to be defective. He replaced it with a brand new device without question. I have used it on both 30 and 50 amp and believe the one time it tripped the spike was so severe it destroyed the device not my RV and in that instance paid for itself. I would recommend the Progressive EMS. For more info check out http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_pt50c.htm
 

Chuck Richard

Well-known member
Thanks everyone, looks like a 50 amp protector is in my future now I just need to review all of your links and pick one.
 

Peteandsharon

Well-known member
I also use the portable 50 amp surge protector from Camping World with the locking hasp. It has done its job well in the brief time I have used it. I would only add one caveat. The pigtail which comes out of the surge protector and plugs into the park's outlet is exceptionally short. It's difficult to explain but because of the short pigtail and the bulky nature of the surge protector, it hangs at an odd angle from the outlet. The surge protector does not hang straight down from the box and tends to try to pull out of the receptacle. This has been the only drawback that I have experienced. I have looked with no success for a very short extension cord with a 50 amp male at one end and a 50 amp female at the other.
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
Not that it's better but the Hughes Autoformer sits on the ground and has about a 2 foot pigtail. Used in only 6 CGs this far and 1/2 at 30 amp recepticles. So far so good :)
 

TXBobcat

Fulltime
I had a smiliar problem. I wanted to protect my Bighorn 3400RE from power problems. So I purchased the 50a portable Surge Guard. Here is where I purchased mine. There are some other options also..
http://www.tweetys.com/index.asp?txtSearch=surge+guard+50&PageAction=PRODSEARCH

I use the http://www.tweetys.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6758

I also found that the upper pigtail is to short to use in some Shore Power also. I looked at a lot of places to find a 50amp short extension. I happen to find this 18" extension.
http://www.shoprvparts.com/product.do?no=18325F

I also found another product but I don't remember the URL. It was a web type strip of material that you put between the male and female plug that lets you grab the connectors and pull them apart...

Hope this helps..
 

Peteandsharon

Well-known member
Thanks Bob,

If I am reading it correctly, this should be exactly what I am looking for. Just to be 100% sure, the 50amp one is 50 amp male on one end and 50 amp female on the other???? I ask this because it looks exactly like a 50 amp to 30 amp connector that I already own. Thanks again. Pete
 

Chuck Richard

Well-known member
Thanks Pete, more good info. I sure like the transformer Jim has but mighty expensive for a part timer. I have seen replacement cord ends but not sure where you could buy the cable to make up a short lead.
 

TXBobcat

Fulltime
Pete
Yes... That is a 18" Extension for a 50amp service. It is not a 50 to 30 adapter.
I looked a long time before I found that one..
Hope it helps you.. If you would like to see a picture of it let me know..
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
Chuck,

You should be able to find the cable you need by the foot at most of the building centers. I think it is 10 gauge 4 conductors.

Jim
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
Thanks for that update Dave. I was going by what I recall marked on the jacket of the 50 to 30 amp adapters that I have. I can see how the 50 amp cable would need to be heavier to carry the 50 amp load.

jim
 

RoLintwo

Member
we have a 50 amp and it works just fine on 30 amp sevice.
Be sure to secure your serge protector to the post or it could go missing.
Keep Smilin All
Roy
 

Peteandsharon

Well-known member
Thanks again, Bob. I went ahead and ordered that 18' extension last night. I think it's exactly what I need. I'm still not sure why they would design the surge suppressor with such a short connector. Even 4 more inches or so would have made it perfect. Oh well. Take care.
 
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