OK, I did it. I ran over the power cord moving my coach 20 feet and bent up my reel fairlead. Since apparently no one makes a spring-driven reel anymore, I'm going to convert to a Glendinning reel. I've searched the forum, but haven't found this topic covered. Can anyone help? Do I have to take apart the utility compartment wall to connect the 120v pigtail? Where can I find adequate power(15amp) to supply the motor? Will I have to remove the hose reel to make the change?
Reelcraft makes spring loaded reels. I just had one put in my coach last week.
This looks like the one in our coach, but it says only rated for 30 amp. Possibly can be upgraded with different cord?
http://www.reelcraft.com/catalog/product_search.aspx?search=L%205750%20103%204&category=cord-power
Don't feel too bad, Brett. Foretravel did the same to mine. Anyhow, like Jeff said, you can get a nice replacement from ReelCraft or for not that much more money, go for a powered reel. Re getting to the cord, if it's like our 99 and 95, yes, you have to get into that wet bay. Sounds like a good project. Take photos if you get a chance.
jor
The one in the link only has three conductors, so I doubt is has four sliding connections for a 50 amp cord. Isn't the one in your coach 50 amp?
I put a Glendining power cord reel in our coach, but since it didn't have one to begin with, probably not similar enough to your set up to be much help Brett. I also put in a Gendening hose reel as well. The only way they would both fit in the available width was to modify the power cord reel to mount the guide rollers on the other what would have been the backside in the original configuration and flip the reel around. Also did something similar to the hose reel. This was so the motors of both would be facing each other, and by mounting the cord reel on a shelf and hanging the hose reel from a bracket attached to the partition, the motors bypassed each other. Otherwise, there just wasn't enough space to have them both. Perhaps you have more space in your coach than we do...
Don
Yes, I checked Reelcraft first thing, and it is only for 30 amp or less.
When FOT added my powered retract cord reel, they went to the breaker in the bay just forward of the wet bay that was already there and labeled for a cord reel. Ran the 12V wire across the top of the bay and into the wet bay to the reel.
Take a look behind the white CB panel cover and check your wiring diagrams. You may already have a dedicated breaker available.
Rich
Thanks, Rich, I'll look but I don't think FT offered a powered reel in '99. I'll have to cross my battery compartment to get to the CB panel.