I am running on a 50 amp circuit from my barn. Is there a limit to the length of the power cord? I am around 60 feet with 2 cords now, and would like to extend another 20-30 feet from the outlet, using a third cord. These are the heavy duty type 50 amp cords. Is there a problem with running shoreline cords that far?
Thanks, Mike
Voltage Drop Calculator (https://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html)
Maybe this will help. I think at 60' you're okay. You could always hook it up and use your multimeter to see what you're getting.
Hope it helps, wish I knew more!
It depends on what you call heavy duty. The gauge of the wire is what limits the distance. Don't know if all 50 amp cords are the same.
Depends on how much current you are drawing. I run 200 feet/120V to my jackhammer with no problem but it's a couple of pretty big cords. First 100 feet is a 240V cord #8 wire converted to 120V.
So, check this table and figure it out: Voltage Drop Tables - Cerrowire (https://www.cerrowire.com/products/resources/tables-calculators/voltage-drop-tables/)
Another way would be to fire up both ACs and check the voltage in the coach and see what the loss is from no load to full load. I checked our U300 today with a 50 foot 120V 12 gauge extension cord. With one AC on, the voltage dropped from 118V to 108V. Too much. Bad for the connections, bad for the AC motor. Think 3% would be OK.
Pierce
With all the plugs and sockets you will have contact resistance losses in addition to the wire losses, and when it rains the plugs will get wet and be a shock hazard.
A better solution might be to make up a cable. I made a 100 ft 4 wire extension cord using 6/4 wire. Here are some links. If you hardwire at the barn you will only need the female connector. Or, you could make the cable with both connectors and carry it when traveling.
With 100 ft maybe you can get all the way to the coach and keep the coach plug inside the bay and out of the weather.
Nassau SOOW SO Cord Power wire 6/4 100 FT. HD USA Portable Outdoor Indoor... (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B073ZYJ66K/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Ll0nFb7Q8CS1W)
Amazon.com: Camco PowerGrip Replacement Plug- Transform Your RV Plug Into a... (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PGVZ30/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Ka0nFbJN67FHJ)
Amazon.com: Camco 55353 50 AMP Female Replacement Receptacle: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00192QB9M/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Bc0nFb25PDAHH)
Different things to think about, but if not running roof airs, microwaves, etc you will be fine.
It all depends on how much load you are running. Try it and measure voltage at coach. No limit on length or connections IF you don't run things.
If running loads, use #6 wire in cable and be sure all connections are tight & clean. No problem with 100 or more feet.
Watch the voltage as you apply loads. When the voltage starts to drop don't add any more load.
I am currently on 60' no problems
Again, it is LOAD dependent.
If no high-amp loads, you will be fine.
Want to run roof A/C's, etc, check voltage with the loads applied.
Below 109 VAC says you need better cabling.
If you are in Missouri, you will be using both ACs now, correct? Lots of heat plus high humidity. 3 percent loss with both on should be your target. Other items are fairly minor.
We are getting ready for a trip so needed the AC to work inside so just happened to check it with the cord I usually use to keep batteries charged. Will use Big Bertha cord tomorrow. 104 degrees here today with still hotter conditions for days more. 127 degrees in Death Valley Sunday and Monday.
Pierce
Hmm, let's say your mother-in-law is going to visit and stay in the coach for a week...and will need to be very careful and not run anything that uses too much power...with my mother-in-law this would not fly...ha ha 🤣
Pierce I used our coach in Vegas on the front air at 103 and the chest refer was on. 12.3 and 3.4 for the norcold refer.
Three days. Used an inexpensive 30 to 15 amp final conversion. House had 20amp outlets.
I used a ridgid 10 gauge 100' extension cord.
The adaptors postive leg was blackened and the insulation was slightly melted around it. Trash.
I have a new camco adaptor that I will try from now on.
I have the same ridgid cord in 12 gauge. It's fine wire also.
Ten is the bomb
Open Box - RIDGID 100 ft. 10/3 Extra Heavy-Duty Extension Cord - 10 Gauge | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Open-Box-RIDGID-100-ft-10-3-Extra-Heavy-Duty-Extension-Cord-10-Gauge-/202874766542)
Bob,
Funny you should say that. When I set up the new inverter, I used a dog bone out of a small adapter plugged into the inverter. No juice at the far end. Pulled the adapter out in the sun and one of the legs had melted.
You probably remember the voltmeter above the entry on the U300. I always watch that after I plug into shore power and then after the AC turns on. The meter drops slightly when the AC first comes on but with the small cord, drops like a rock about 3 minutes later when the compressor comes on.
You probably read that we are having a heat wave here. I'm going to back the coach up closer to the garage and use the extension cord for the welder. Rolling blackouts have started now so, like last year, I will feed the house with the U300's generator. But after I turn off the main house panel.
Sure wish that we had SoCal Edison. PG&E is a criminal organization with terrible service and fires to their customers and golden parachutes to their execs.
Pierce
I couple of years ago I had a 20A outlet attached to a dedicated 10ga connected directly to the house panel. I plugged in with a 59' 10ga extension cord which attached to the 50A RV cord using adapters. I figured that with one A/C on and nothing else, it would be adequate. My house CB did not trip and I fried the end of my expensive cord before the RV's surge protector shut down. I replaced the CB and added a 30A outlet (remember, I had a 10A wire) and it worked. Since I built the RV barn with 100A service panel and two 50A outlets (inside and out), the wiring was upgraded back to the house panel. Summary: A 20A outlet, even with dedicated 10A house wiring, was not enough to handle the A/C.
One issue when we are running one roof a/c on a possible marginal supply line is we are not running just the A/C. Often the inverter charger is also running. When I use to run one A/C from my garage interior 20 amp plug, I was ok if I shut down the charger side of the inverter/charger, and was carefull to not run any other 120V plugs appliances.
As I have a small roof solar setup I turned off my systems charger, the solar with the auto combiner kept/keeps both banks at 100%. The ridgid 10 gauge handled the compressor start up loads fine and the 16 amp plus running loads. Just the cheap 30 to 15 got hot,
The camco yellow one looks heavier duty. Maybe it is?
http://www.paigewire.com/pumpWireCalc.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Wire size calculator says you can use #6 copper 90 to 160 feet. All connections and plugs are always multipliers for problems
Scott
When Foretravels had removable power cords I made up 50 amp male plug ends that had 30 amp cords directly out of the 50. 50'. And made up a quantity of cheater boxes that allowed you to plug in to both a 15 amp plug and a 30 amp plug. Fast forward to now. I bought a store bought dual plug in cord.