RV Power Needs

Don,

I don't think you're going to find any sort of adapter that will allow you to switch between 20 and 30 amps. The easiest solution is to make up a short cable for that.

I'm working on the assumption here that your travel trailer's 30 amp connection is 120V as well. I've never "plugged in" at a camping location so I don't know. If it is 240V then you have a different kettle of fish all together. You would then have two 120V legs with 15 amps on each. Double-check that before you do anything!!!!!!!!!

The L14-20 is a locking type 20 amp plug that can be purchased in the electrical section of your local Lowes or Home Depot. This is better than the standard 120V plugs because it locks in place to prevent accidental unplugging after you insert it and give it a small twist.

If your travel trailer inverter converts 120V AC to 12V DC for internal use then this should work for you.

At the same store you should also be able to purchase a 30 amp receptacle of the same type that you currently plug your power cable into. Put these two items on each end of a short cable and you should be good to go. I would use 10awg wire minimum, 8awg preferably.

It may be worth noting here that even though you have a 5000 watt generator you can only get 2400 watts (20A x 120V) from either of the receptacles in your generator.

I will leave it to your imagination on how you could make up a short extension cord with two plugs and one receptacle since I've already said enough for someone to start asking questions about my Electrician's License.

Don,

Your best answer would come from the manual that came with your generator or from the manufacture.

Receptacles in your house are commonly 15 or 20 amps as stipulated by the National Electrical Code and they would have 15 or 20 amp breakers in the panel box that would trip if the current went above a certain level. I suspect that your generator would also have some sort of internal breaker that limits each receptacle to 20 amps.

On the L14-20 the "L" indicates "locking" and the "20" part of the code indicates 20 amps so that would be restricted also.

If your generator is placed in a position relative to your trailer where it is unlikely that anyone or anything will walk or fall across the cord then you can use the cheaper household type 120V plugs.

Remember that a gasoline engine will produce carbon monoxide in the exhaust so place it downwind and as far away from trailer windows as possible.

DON'T EVER RUN THE GENERATOR INSIDE THE TRAILER. That should go without saying, but far too many supposedly smart people have died from running generators inside their homes and trailers in the wake of power losses caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Wow.. John you have been great!  Thanks so much.  Let me ask what I hope to be the last question.  When I bought my trailer (used) the seller had the RV plug (male) plugged into an adapter, a short plug, that on one side had the female 30 A diagonal RV configuration, but the male side was just like a normal grounded house plug.  He had the RV plugged into a common household extension cord and that ran the lights. If I understand your advice, then I could use that same adapter, plug the RV cord, with adapter into the 120v/20 plug on the generator and it should work.  All I would need to do is know the WATT usage of each device and dont run anything simultaneously that exceeds the output of the generator?

john,

thanks for the posts on this one, I learned a lot. 

the community section and the forum have been successful because of folks like yourself sharing your knowledge with the RE / Alt-E community.  we appreciate it.

don - good luck with the system.

james - Alt-E staff