30A hook up, need inlet ideas

[dh]

I did the math, and between the AC, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and all those other goodies, I'm going to be pulling right around 18 amps. I'm having a hard time finding a 30A inlet that doesn't cost $180. I like the twist lock style, but again, $180. I do not like the standard RV set up with a pig tail. Any ideas? How have you guys done it?

[eamarquardt]

Here are a couple of options. The ebay one looks like what I had on my boat. Never had a problem and it was connected out in the weather 24/7 in a salt water enviornment.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... Receptacle

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/30-AMP-B ... 439c3eede7

Hope this helps.

Gus

[bobhenry]

2 cords ....

a $4.00 adapter ( rv section at Wally world ) allows you to use the higher amperage rv hook up with a good 12 gage extention cord use this direct to your heavy hitters and plug the standard 15 amp into the trailer shore power.

We were using two 1500 watt heaters at the 2nd shivaree in 09
( 12 degrees and a constant 35 MPH wind ). We had to utilize both outlets to be able to power them.

here it is ................

[dh]

Good find Guss, Thanks!

BTW, that first one is an outlet

[eamarquardt]

Good find Guss, Thanks!

BTW, that first one is an outlet :lol:

One outta two is .500 average. If I were playing baseball I'd be a star!!!!

Quit yer beetching!

Cheers,

Gus

[Shadow Catcher]

There are sources for the 30A shore power plugs and cords that are not budget busters and they are standard. I remember one incident with a plug in rain that some one in the forum that could have resorted in a fire not just a fried plug.

[dmckruit]

I went to Home Depot and bought a 30 amp plug and some heavy gauge 30 amp wet location wire. I wired the plug with the wire to the electrical box. Then I went to Walmart and bought the 30 amp extension cord (I think its 25 feet long (it was like $20). I run this cord through the service outlet in the teardrop and connect it to the plug in the electrical fuse box. The other side runs to shore power. When I am at home and need electrical service for something I use an adapter like those shown a couple posts above. They make two types. I use the one that connects into the electrical plug from the fuse box, but has a male 120V end to plug into the end of a regular 3 prong extension cord.

[dh]

I haven't been able to find any of this stuff locally. HD and Lowe's have the outlets, but no inlets. Even the specialty electronic suppliers shrug thier shoulders. I have one camper dealer who sells a twist lock set up, but only sells the SS version, and wants $180 for the plug and cord. I like the $40 plug, and I can pick up a $40 cord, and still save $100.

[dh]

I went to Home Depot and bought a 30 amp plug and some heavy gauge 30 amp wet location wire. I wired the plug with the wire to the electrical box. Then I went to Walmart and bought the 30 amp extension cord (I think its 25 feet long (it was like $20). I run this cord through the service outlet in the teardrop and connect it to the plug in the electrical fuse box. The other side runs to shore power. When I am at home and need electrical service for something I use an adapter like those shown a couple posts above. They make two types. I use the one that connects into the electrical plug from the fuse box, but has a male 120V end to plug into the end of a regular 3 prong extension cord.

[wannabefree]

This may save you a few bucks. Did you add up everything to get to 18A? If so, you can probably manage with a 20A service. People rarely run everything at once. If I add up everything in my house I would need a 600A service, but 200A does fine, with margin to spare. Figure out what is likely to be on at the same time; AC, micro, and a couple lights maybe. Then add a little margin.

[eamarquardt]

I have tripped a 85 amp 240 volt circuit breaker with my TIG machine. I guess I won't be taking it camping! I doubt I or anyone else will miss it.

Cheers,

Gus

[dh]

I can easily see full usage at breakfast. Bacon in the microwave, toaster toasting, coffee maker going, all lights on, AC still running, tv on...

[Shadow Catcher]

I hate being stabbed by inflated prices but I also do not like the prospect of trying to make do. The best price a quick search came up with for the 30A inlet is http://www.adventurerv.net/marinco-easy ... -2728.html You can probably do better.
One thing to remember is that you can run a couple of conventional extension cords to the power pedestal to power things like AC unit or microwave.

[bobhenry]

I can easily see full usage at breakfast. Bacon in the microwave, toaster toasting, coffee maker going, all lights on, AC still running, tv on...

Let's see : At breakfast I am stoking up the campfire. The bacon is in the cast iron skillet on the fire. The coffee is sharing the campfire in the perculator right next door. The toast is sun tanning itsself near the fire on a little wire rack, the only light is the pink / orange sunrise that is greeting me, the cool morning breeze is all the AC I need and who in the hell watches TV when the birds and crickets are having their morning concert. Maybe ya should stay home cause what you are describing sure ain't camping.

[dmckruit]

Buy a connector like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xil/R-100669948/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

and a small length of wire to hardwire this connector to the electrical box on the trailer.

Buy one of these extension cords:


http://www.adventurerv.net/amp-extension-cord-p-7098.html

and a cable hatch:

http://www.adventurerv.net/cable-hatch-p-7932.html

you should be able to find the last two at walmart.

I run 30 amp to the main fuse box. I have two 15 amp and one 20 amp breaker. The 20 amp runs the air conditioner and exhaust fan. One 15 amp runs the refrigerator and an extra outlet, the other 15 amp runs the tv outlet and battery charger. I haven't had a problem exceeding elecrical demand. (Of course I don't run every thing on the tear at once either). But I have had the refrigerator, air conditioner, exhaust fan, tv, and dvd player running at the same time without any problems.)