Step down in amps
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10568
Printed Date: 01 Jul 2025 at 1:55pm
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Topic: Step down in amps
Posted By: rawest50
Subject: Step down in amps
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 5:12pm
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Is it possible to step down fro a 50amp circuit to a 20 amp? ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Replies:
Posted By: eye95
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 5:42pm
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The amps of a circuit are simply a maximum before the breaker trips. If you somehow hook a 20A circuit to a 50A supply, you risk an overload. Any such connection must at least have a 20A fuse or breaker built into it. ------------- <0> 2017 178 The "eye-Pod" 2011 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 6:08pm
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You can plug in something that draws anywhere from .00001A to 50A. No issue as far as needing a "step down" As long as whatever you are plugging in is properly wired for it's load and purposes, no issue. Your television, which draws like 1A is plugged into a 15 or 20A circuit in your living room. NOW.. if you are talking plugging a TT into a 50A TT receptacle, the big issue is how the plug is actually wired. But adapters are made to go up or down, in plug orientation. ------------- |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 6:37pm
I agree. If the only circuit protection is the breaker on the pedestal you will have wires safe for 20 amps potentially exposed to 50 amps in case of a short circuit or even an overload. This is a potential fire hazard. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2017 at 7:12am
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It would help if the OP gave some info on what and why, he was trying to do. A sub panel is possibly the answer, but.. again.. we are mostly guessing. Since it's a TT forum, I sort of assume, the question relates to TT power pedestals.
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2017 at 8:01am
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If the 20 amp cord is plugged into the pod (50 to 20 to 30?) then at least there is some protection in the fuses onboard the pod. Still an under protected connection. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2017 at 10:19am
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Our pod came with a 30-20 amp adapter, so that we could plug the 30-amp cord into a 20-amp outlet. No big deal; if you go over 20 amps, you're done. OTOH, if you have a 30-50 amp adapter (that would allow you to plug your 30-amp cord into a 50-amp outlet, there would be a couple of issues. First, the cord is designed for 30 amps. So it would theoretically be possible to draw more current than the cord is designed for. However, there are also breakers in the pod that prevent more than 30 amps in the first place. All things considered, if all you want to do is plug into a 50-amp receptacle, I think you can do this as long as you are aware of the "potential" for an overload on the cord. I'm pretty sure the circuit protections inside the pod would prevent an overload. Besides, the pod is meant to run on a 30-amp circuit. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2017 at 10:40am
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I agree. You're going to blow a main in the pod if you use over 30 amps. That will happen way before you melt the cord from the power pedestal. How many amps come off the power grid? More than 200 in most places. A 50 amp breaker at the pedestal is going to trip if you use more than 50 amps, just like the pod main breaker will flip if you use more than 30 amps. For that matter, the 15 or 20 amp breakers on inside circuits will trip if you use more than 15 or 20 amps on them. Doesn't matter how many amps are on the pedestal. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |