power help

[cj13]

I have wired my enclosed with 4 110 outlets. for now I wired a male plug to the end of my run, and have it pluged into a power strip. when I get to the track or camp ground I just run a cord from the power pole to the power strip. everything works but I have to unplug a few things if I want to use the microwave and ac at the same time. I want to be able to use the 30amp power offered at most camp sites, so can I use the 30amp to 15amp cord they sell at camping world to power the micro and ac?

[jwhite]

Most of my camping I use a Honda 2000 and I will turn off the AC to take a shower or use the Microwave so I have got used to doing it that way.
But when I have power I use 2 drop cords and use one to run the AC and the other to run everything else,.
My electric is simple, I bought the largest power strip that contractors use from lowes it was about 50.00 it has a heavy duty 15ft cord and it has lighted switches so you can turn it off that way.
I have never had it trip off yet,?

[cj13]

thank you, I did buy an extra cord just for the the ac til I figure out the 30amp. I got one of the 30 amp male to 15 amp female plug adapters.However now Im thinking I need to wire the trailer for 30 amp to be safe, but Im no electrician and want to make sure I do it right so I will be seeking and searching for the correct way to do it.

[jjvw]

There is usually two power outlets in a campground supply box. I use an adapter plug on the 30A to power a power strip for the ac. I plug another power strip in to the 15A receptacle for every thing else. In the winter it is used for a heater and electric blanket.

[cj13]

thanks I will try it that way this weekend .

[8ball_99]

Your better off just setting your trailer up to run off a 30 amp outlet.. IMHO plugging a 15 or 20 amp cord into a 30 amp breaker with an adapter isn't a great idea.. Your cord will melt long before you ever trip the breaker. Get a 30 amp RV cord. You can buy an extension cord at walmart and just cut off the female end and wire it into either an RV converter (my choice) in your trailer or a small breaker box with room for a couple of breakers.. They make small sub panels or even hot tub boxes. Either can be bought at lowes or homedepot.. Run the cord to the box stick you a couple of 15 or 20 amp breakers in there. Run your AC off of one and the other stuff off the other.. If you use 20 amp breakers all your wiring in the trailer should be 12 gauge.. Even doing that though you might not be able to run everything at once. Depends on what all you have.

[hankaye]

cj13, Howdy;

I agree with 8ball_99. Half steps only cause larger problems down the road...

hank

[cj13]

Thank you 8ball, Im taking you advice and wiring the trailer for 30amp,( well trading out labor with a buddie who has a bike he he wants to get running) til then Im just going to stay away from using the 30amp to 15amp cord all together.The camp site has two 15/20amp plugs in the box and I will use one for the ac and the other for the little stuff.We are heading out tomorrow for the weekend.
Thanks again for all the advice,The members of this site have helped me so much and given me some great Ideas.

[jjvw]

Sorry, I should have noted that my ext cord and ac wiring are 12 ga. My ac outlets are all in the front and less than 5 ft from the power block. All the lights are 12V so we can boondock. A battery charger and the 4 outIets have their own power block and power cord. The 1000 btu air conditioner is plugged directly into its own 20A power block and 12 gauge ext cord which I can plug into a 30 amp outlet with an adapter when a second 20A plug isn't available.
Plugging into 30 amp power doesn't melt wires unless you are actually drawing 30 amps thru an undersize wire. Having only the AC plugged into the 30A outlet won't draw that much. Even adding a bunch of appliances, your still limited to 20 amps by the power block breaker and can not draw 30 amps.
We have since sold the trailer to buy a larger one, but the adapter and AC were not included for safety sake.