30 Amp to 50 Amp Cord Adapter

aero3113

I bought this adapter last year end of season and forgot about it. We went to a marina yesterday that asked if we had one, I didn’t have it with me. Luckily they had one 30 amp slip left. Just checking if I bought the correct adapter needed?

Liberty44140

Yep looks like a nice 50 amp (dock) to 30 amp (boat) converter 

aero3113

Liberty44140 said:

Yep looks like a nice 50 amp (dock) to 30 amp (boat) converter 

Thanks @Liberty44140 !!

Ian

Isn’t that for a 220V feed - 2 hot, and earth and the metal ring is neutral?

aero3113

@Ian looks like you’re right. I have to look in my basement later, I might have another one that I bought. Maybe it is in my transom locker 😂.

aero3113

I just checked my “Buy Again” cart on eBay and saw this. I did buy one, just have to find where I put it! 

Liberty44140

The plug in your first photo, and the plug in the eBay photo, look to be the same?

aero3113

Now I think @Liberty44140 is correct, I just took a closer look and the male prongs are correct for 50 Amp. 🤷🏻‍♂️

aero3113

Liberty44140 said:

The plug in your first photo, and the plug in the eBay photo, look to be the same?

Yes, but it’s a different brand then the one that I have in my hand!🤷🏻‍♂️😂

YYZRC

@aero3113 you should do boudoir photos. That connector looks huge!

aero3113

YYZRC said:

@aero3113 you should do boudoir photos. That connector looks huge!

😂

Grahamu

In Canada that adaptor is not CSA approved because you are no longer 30 amp protected at the shore power pedestal. 

Liberty44140

I have a 50a (250/125v) to two 30a connectors so that I can plug both of my 30a inlets in to one 50a dock outlet and run both A/C units while traveling (was a must have traveling in Michigan). The 50a side is identical to your drawing above where the X and Y prongs are more of a pronounced L than the one in your picture. 

But if I recall when I was researching yours without the Ls on the 50 side will still work fine as it will plug in. I think yours is just 125v or 250v only, not dual as it would be with the L 

LaRea

Yes, any 50->30 adapter has an additional layer of risk.  Suppose your boat's wiring gets damaged, and your 30-amp cord suddenly starts drawing 40 amps of current.  A pedestal with a 30-amp outlet will trip immediately.  A 50-amp breaker won't trip, so it could start a fire.  

aero3113

Why do some marinas have 50 amp?

Dream_Inn

aero3113 said:

Why do some marinas have 50 amp?

Because the larger boats use them.  The Rinker 420 has twin 50 amps (because it has 3 AC units, Washer/Dryer, & an oven).

Liberty44140

Yea any boat I see over 40’ these days are usually 50a. We went to one club on our trip last summer than regularly gets 70’ - 100’ boats and it had 100a hookups 

Grahamu

LaRea said:

Yes, any 50->30 adapter has an additional layer of risk.  Suppose your boat's wiring gets damaged, and your 30-amp cord suddenly starts drawing 40 amps of current.  A pedestal with a 30-amp outlet will trip immediately.  A 50-amp breaker won't trip, so it could start a fire.  

If a fire did start I doubt your insurance would cover it. The adaptors are not UL/CSA
approved. I pretty sure Marinco stopped making them for that reason.

tonystoy

Crazy that you are bringing up this topic. I am taking the boat up to Cedar Point in two weeks and had to order this exact same connector! I’m hoping I got the right one, but it looks to be the same. Supposed to be delivered tomorrow 🤞🏽

Liberty44140

Grahamu said:

LaRea said:

Yes, any 50->30 adapter has an additional layer of risk.  Suppose your boat's wiring gets damaged, and your 30-amp cord suddenly starts drawing 40 amps of current.  A pedestal with a 30-amp outlet will trip immediately.  A 50-amp breaker won't trip, so it could start a fire.  

If a fire did start I doubt your insurance would cover it. The adaptors are not UL/CSA
approved. I pretty sure Marinco stopped making them for that reason.

Not sure about Canada but Marinco sells 50 to 30 and dual 30 to 50 widely in the US. West Marine carry’s their entire line of eel and standard converters. The boat should have two 30a breakers, one at the inlet and again one on the board, that would need to both fail for a fire. Insurance would cover it. 

But I agree with LR that you are taking the dock breaker out of the equation so yes a little more risk putting the boats two breakers as the fail safes. I wouldn’t use a 50 to 30 all summer at my home dock, but they are a necessity for any long range travel. 

Liberty44140

tonystoy said:

Crazy that you are bringing up this topic. I am taking the boat up to Cedar Point in two weeks and had to order this exact same connector! I’m hoping I got the right one, but it looks to be the same. Supposed to be delivered tomorrow 🤞🏽

I’m sure you’ll be fine but if not don’t worry they will rent you one

Grahamu

On the 342 FV the transom inlets are connected to 30 amp breakers plus the panel but the port side inlets are only protected by the panel breakers. I have a 50 to 30 adaptor, which I made, but only use it when I am onboard.

aero3113

@Grahamu same with my 330 but it’s the port side that has the 30 amp breakers plus the panel breaker. 

Liberty44140

I always assumed that the rear breakers for shore power on my 342 covered both port and rear inlets…. depending on which inlet the automatic switch considered live (06 had an automatic transfer between rear and port inlets)…. Could have been a poor assumption though. Never traced it…

aero3113

@Liberty44140 , I thought I had a picture of the backside of the breakers but can’t find it. Next time I’m in the engine compartment I’ll take a look at the wiring.

aero3113

 Three wires going to it @Liberty44140. Im pretty sure it’s only for my port plugs. The starboard plugs are close to the panel so the extra breakers aren’t needed.

Liberty44140

Got it.... well then if using a converter while traveling I'd stick to the inlet with the pre panel breaker. 

aero3113

Liberty44140 said:

Got it.... well then if using a converter while traveling I'd stick to the inlet with the pre panel breaker. 

Agree 

tonystoy

I think I’m all set!

aero3113

Looks the same @tonystoy ! 👍🏻👍🏻

Cableguy Greg

The reason one side has an additional breaker is that ABYC specs are that there is to be a breaker within X amount of feet from the shore power inlet on the boat. The one closest to the panel is within the parameter and the other side isn't, so that is why it has an additional breaker to meet the parameter. I am not sure the distance. I thought it was 5 feet, but I could be wrong.