RV Shore Power Adapters: What to Carry and When to Use Them
A small collection of shore power adapters and cords means you can charge your house battery from virtually any power source in the US. Here's exactly what to carry.
For the full shore power setup: RV shore power setup and 30 amp vs 50 amp RV.
The essential adapters
30-to-50 amp dogbone (~$20–$30)
Lets your 30A van connect to a 50A campground pedestal. You're still limited to 30A/3,600W — the adapter doesn't give you more power, just physical compatibility. Buy one and keep it in your gear bag permanently.
What it looks like: The 30A plug (TT-30, 3-prong) connects to your van's cord; the 50A socket (14-50R, 4-prong) plugs into the campground outlet.
15/20-to-30 amp adapter (~$15–$25)
Lets you plug your 30A shore cord into a standard household outlet. Works at a friend's house, a motel parking lot, any building with a standard outlet. Charging is slow — a 15A household circuit limits you to about 1,800W, so a 30A converter/charger runs at roughly 60% output.
Two variants:
- 15A (NEMA 5-15) to 30A (TT-30): for standard household outlets
- 20A (NEMA 5-20) to 30A (TT-30): for 20A circuits (kitchen/garage outlets) — faster charging
50-to-30 amp adapter (~$20–$30)
If you're in a large RV with a 50A shore system and encounter a 30A-only pedestal. Not needed for van builds (which use 30A inlets) but worth understanding.
Shore power cord
Your van needs a 30A shore power cord — rated NEMA TT-30, 10 AWG, with male plug on one end and female socket on the other.
Length options:
- 25 feet: fine for most campground sites
- 50 feet: better if pedestal location varies; worth the extra storage space
Quality matters: Cheap cords can have thin conductors that heat up under sustained load. Buy a cord rated for 30A continuous from a reputable RV brand (Camco, Southwire, Parkworld).
Household outlet charging (no 30A inlet)
If you don't have a NEMA TT-30 inlet on your van, you can still charge from shore power:
- Victron Blue Smart IP22 or IP67: Has standard 120V plug (NEMA 5-15) — plug directly into any household outlet, run 12V DC output to house battery. This is actually how many van builders start before adding a full shore power inlet.
- NOCO Genius or similar smart charger: Same approach — 120V plug in, 12V DC out.
These don't require a TT-30 inlet at all and are simpler for occasional-use scenarios.
Surge protection
Pair any of these adapters with a surge protector:
- Progressive Industries SSP-30XL (~$70) — inline, fits on your shore cord end
- Hughes Autoformers PWD30 (~$120) — adds voltage boost for low-voltage campground power
What to pack
| Item | When you need it |
|---|---|
| 30A shore power cord (25–50 ft) | Any campground or RV hookup |
| 30-to-50 amp dogbone | Campground with only 50A pedestals |
| 15A-to-30A adapter | Friend's house, motel, standard outlet |
| 20A-to-30A adapter | Kitchen or garage circuit (faster) |
| Inline surge protector | Any campground hookup |