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Old 01-10-2017, 07:39 AM   #1
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30 Amp Home Supply challenges.

Just realized that our new 17B trailer due at the end of the month will require a 30 Amp power supply to plug in to at home and we don't have one. Adding one would require a fair degree of effort, because it means adding a new circuit to the main electrical panel, adding a receptacle to the outside wall of the house, as well as a 50 foot run of the appropriate gauge cable extension cord as the only convenient external wall to the electric panel is nowhere near where the trailer will be stored.

Thinking about the power draw of the systems that the trailer uses, the only two high power users would be the water heater and the AC. As our trailer does't have AC and we wouldn't be using the trailer's water heater at home, the only power being used would be to keep the batteries charged, for lighting or maybe the fridge just prior to taking off for a trip. I am thinking that maybe to avoid a huge effort to install a receptacle, I could somehow construct an electrical cord with a 30 amp female plug at one end, that plugs into the 15 Amp receptacle that I currently have where the trailer will be parked when not being used.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I recognize that this is probably not ideal, but might work as a reasonable alternative.

Thanks Much.

Chris
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Old 01-10-2017, 07:44 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Chris & Patricia View Post
Just realized that our new 17B trailer due at the end of the month will require a 30 Amp power supply to plug in to at home and we don't have one. Adding one would require a fair degree of effort, because it means adding a new circuit to the main electrical panel, adding a receptacle to the outside wall of the house, as well as a 50 foot run of the appropriate gauge cable extension cord as the only convenient external wall to the electric panel is nowhere near where the trailer will be stored.

Thinking about the power draw of the systems that the trailer uses, the only two high power users would be the water heater and the AC. As our trailer does't have AC and we wouldn't be using the trailer's water heater at home, the only power being used would be to keep the batteries charged, for lighting or maybe the fridge just prior to taking off for a trip. I am thinking that maybe to avoid a huge effort to install a receptacle, I could somehow construct an electrical cord with a 30 amp female plug at one end, that plugs into the 15 Amp receptacle that I currently have where the trailer will be parked when not being used.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I recognize that this is probably not ideal, but might work as a reasonable alternative.

Thanks Much.

Chris
Hi Chris, they sell just what you're looking for at Walmart or Camping World. Also available on Amazon.
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Old 01-10-2017, 07:45 AM   #3
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You do not need 30 amp, I'm using a 15 amp outdoor receptacle and have been for past 6 years. I leave the trailer plugged in 24/7. Other than the a/c there is no issue and I have used the a/c occasionally. Make sure it is a GFCI outlet with a cover, I use a 10' extension w/and adapter. like one of these https://www.amazon.com/NU-SET-dogbon...15+amp+adapter
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Old 01-10-2017, 07:51 AM   #4
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ETI will (or used too) supply you with a 30 to 15 amp adapter for the end of your cord. If not you can get one at Wal-Mart.

It will look something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-55223-1...amp+rv+adapter
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Old 01-10-2017, 07:54 AM   #5
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Whew - this question prompted me to check the electrical panel in the basement. I learned that we have the capacity to add a 30 A circuit in the garage, using existing lines (two conductors, 40 A per conductor).

We don't have AC in the house, but on the rare occasion when it is >35 C and we are not camping, we're likely to retreat to the trailer for its AC.
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Old 01-10-2017, 08:00 AM   #6
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Or pick up one of these for about $5.00 next time you're at Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Road-Powe...apter/16817350
But that leaves your camper's 30 amp cord exposed to the elements when in use.
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Old 01-10-2017, 08:17 AM   #7
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I use a 30amp ext. cord with adapter for 20amp plug. You can buy the 30 amp cord from Walmart or Amazon for $30- $50 bucks. Then i take it with me when camping, just incase. Carl
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Old 01-10-2017, 09:32 AM   #8
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Or pick up one of these for about $5.00 next time you're at Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Road-Powe...apter/16817350
But that leaves your camper's 30 amp cord exposed to the elements when in use.
Unless I'm missing something that is the wrong adapter. You need 30 amp female (to accept the trailer plug) to 15 amp male to plug into the extension cord end like the one Kountrycamper linked above.
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Old 01-10-2017, 09:37 AM   #9
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ETI will (or used too) supply you with a 30 to 15 amp adapter for the end of your cord.
I got one when I picked up our trailer on Black Friday. It's in use right now.
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Old 01-10-2017, 09:46 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
You do not need 30 amp, I'm using a 15 amp outdoor receptacle and have been for past 6 years. I leave the trailer plugged in 24/7. Other than the a/c there is no issue and I have used the a/c occasionally. Make sure it is a GFCI outlet with a cover, I use a 10' extension w/and adapter. like one of these https://www.amazon.com/NU-SET-dogbon...15+amp+adapter
Please make sure the outlet is GFCI as Jim indicated above. Be sure to test it! The electric water heater element burned out and failed hot-to-ground on our trailer which electrified the frame. Coupled with a damaged ground prong on an extension cord and plugged into a regular outlet the trailer was allowed to operate and my father became the ground path and was shocked on the stabilizer. As soon as the trailer was plugged into a GFCI outlet it would trip which is exactly the protection it is supposed to afford and tells you that something is wrong. Anyone that says it is normal for a trailer to trip a GFCI outlet is not correct. I think the water heater element failing as it did is a strange exception but weird stuff can happen with electricity nonetheless.
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Old 01-10-2017, 09:46 AM   #11
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Unless I'm missing something that is the wrong adapter. You need 30 amp female (to accept the trailer plug) to 15 amp male to plug into the extension cord end like the one Kountrycamper linked above.
You are correct. I clicked on the wrong image. This one should be the correct one. On sale for $2.79.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Road-Powe...Y1cV4hiHoceqBY
We're all talking about the same thing....
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Old 01-10-2017, 09:49 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Kountrykamper View Post
ETI will (or used too) supply you with a 30 to 15 amp adapter for the end of your cord. If not you can get one at Wal-Mart.

It will look something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-55223-1...amp+rv+adapter
That's right, Tom. Ours came Standard from ETI in April '16.
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Old 01-10-2017, 09:54 AM   #13
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You are correct. I clicked on the wrong image. This one should be the correct one. On sale for $2.79.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Road-Powe...Y1cV4hiHoceqBY
Thanks for clarifying. Didn't want Chris blindly ordering from your first link and standing there excited to plug in only to find he had the wrong adapter. If ETI is supplying these adapters now with a new trailer then it sounds like he doesn't need to worry.
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Old 01-10-2017, 10:19 AM   #14
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If ETI is supplying these adapters now with a new trailer then it sounds like he doesn't need to worry.
Not certain, but I think it is just when you get a starter kit. At least that was the case in 2009.
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Old 01-10-2017, 10:29 AM   #15
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Is there a one-piece cord that goes from 30 amps to 15? I used an adapter but had it near the trailer and exposed to the elements, so it might be better to get a 30 Amp cord and then put the adapter at the inside end (in the garage or a covered outdoor receptacle.) I hadn't thought of that before but it makes sense.

I guess this is what I need but with a longer cord.
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Old 01-10-2017, 11:21 AM   #16
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If you have the removable power cord option, you can purchase a Marinco twist lock to 15 amp adapter, or, make your own for less. I carry one I made as a way to keep a spare Marinco twist lock connector (sometimes hard to find on the road) as well as a way to use a standard extension cord when plugged into a 15 amp receptacle. If you make your own, the cord can be as long as you wish - I'd use at least a #12 cable.
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Old 01-10-2017, 12:04 PM   #17
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Thank you to all that responded, I knew that it wouldn't take long to get an answer. Some of you guys must live on the forum 24/7!

We in Canada can't always shop on Amazon or Walmart US websites, however, a quick search on Amazon.ca revealed a similar product can be had cheaply. However, I will e-mail ETI to see whether anything is included on delivery or with the starter kit.

PS, it seems that any question always generates useful comments for others too, so no question appears to be a dumb question!

Chris Young
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Old 01-10-2017, 12:09 PM   #18
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North Shore RV is just down the hill from you, and so is Walmart. No guarantee Walmart will have the adapter, but NSRV will.
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Old 01-10-2017, 12:15 PM   #19
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North Shore RV is just down the hill from you, and so is Walmart. No guarantee Walmart will have the adapter, but NSRV will.
Thanks, I keep on forgetting as I was aware of them from previous days of towing a tent trailer. As to Walmart, I wouldn't really expect them to carry anything in the way of RV supplies, Canadian Tire might almost be a better option.
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Old 01-10-2017, 12:18 PM   #20
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Walmart does have a small section of RV stuff in the Automotive area.
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