Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 05:01:13 pm

Title: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 05:01:13 pm
Hi

I pulled out of Phx today dragging my shore power cord.  I need to replace or splice on a new one. Reel is fine.  It's just the cord.  Anything I need to know ?  Can these be spliced ? 2022 Foretravel realm. 
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Michelle on June 03, 2023, 05:37:08 pm
You're not the first, and you won't be the last  ;)  We've done it.

It's an easy fix to do yourself.  This is the replacement plug we used

Amazon.com: Camco PowerGrip RV Plug, 50 Amp Male Plug (125-250V/12500W),... (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-PowerGrip-Replacement-Transform-55255/dp/B000PGVZ30)

You're likely to find that replacement plug at Camping World if you're near one and need it today/tomorrow.

Don't go cheap/off-brand on the plug.  And make sure you really tighten the internal connections well.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 05:50:50 pm
Thanks Michelle but I need the whole cord. This is just the plug. 
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Gerry Vicha on June 03, 2023, 05:58:29 pm
If you have any of the original cord the spec's are stamped on the out side of the cover.

https://www.stayonline.com/product-resources/reference-power-cord-marking-guide.asp
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Michelle on June 03, 2023, 06:07:02 pm
Thanks Michelle but I need the whole cord. 

Do you know what shore reel you have?  You can verify length and gauge with that for the power cord.

You might need to remove it to do the work, but I would think you could unreel, remove old cord, and wire new cord in.  I'd think it's just 4 lugs and a strain-relief and/or clamp. 

See these topics for photos:

Replacing 50Amp Power Cord Reel - Questions?? (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=44235.0)

Female, weathertight, shoreline plug (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=46230.msg470619#msg470619)

In particular this specific post has a good set Replacing 50Amp Power Cord Reel - Questions?? (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=44235.msg447573#msg447573)
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 06:25:21 pm
Great info.  I'll read.  I'm not sure on reel
Mfg but I will find.  Ty again.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Pamela & Mike on June 03, 2023, 06:34:13 pm
If you can post a pic. (if you can't find the make)would help out. One of us may recognize what you have. Any manufacture will have the cord attached to the reel with some type of lugs.  You will need proper lugs and a way to properly attach lug to cable ends prior to attaching new cable to the reel.  You could go to most any RV supply place and get a 50 amp power cable, cut off the female end, install new lugs in place of cut off end, then install where you remove old cable. A little work but not the end of the world,

Mike
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Pamela & Mike on June 03, 2023, 06:52:28 pm

1.  Can these be spliced ?
 2.  Anything I need to know ?
3.  I need to replace or splice on a new one.

Another thought on your question that hasn't been answered yet.
1 Yes BUT real big BUT like an elephant:
2. If the cable was left laying in a cable tray it would last for years. With the rolling and unrolling of the cable every time you move sites this action on the splice can weaken the connection/splice.
3. So IMO I would replace the whole cable and not have the worry if/when the splice may fail.

Mike
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 08:50:14 pm
Trying to add pictures.  Not seeing where to add.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Michelle on June 03, 2023, 09:00:17 pm
Trying to add pictures.  Not seeing where to add.

Try "Preview Post" - that should bring up the full editor and you will see "Drag and Drop" or "Select Them" for attachments
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 09:22:07 pm
Pictures.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Lt403 on June 03, 2023, 09:28:15 pm
That looks like mine
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: turbojack on June 03, 2023, 09:29:13 pm
You could stop by an electrical supply house and get the 50 amp cord plug and 6/4. SO cord. Other option is order one on Amazon.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Pamela & Mike on June 03, 2023, 09:30:58 pm
Well there are the 4 lugs that you will need to remove to take the old cable off the reel.
1 ground green
1 neutral white
2 positives red/black

Now on some of those you will need to drill out the 4 rivets to be able to hold a backup to be able to remove nuts and lugs. Make sure you properly attach new lugs to cable ends as here is no spot to just strip back the insulation and wrap the wire around the stud and replace the nut.

Mike
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 09:45:44 pm
Thanks all.  Going to order off Amazon. Nobody has in stock in Vegas.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 09:49:38 pm
Going to order this.  Do you think this would work? Cable Matters 4 Prong Replacement 50 AMP RV Power Cord (NEMA 14-50P to 4 Wire) - 25 Feet Amazon.com: Cable Matters 4 Prong Replacement 50 AMP RV Power Cord (NEMA... (https://a.co/d/0UCXT2u)
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Michelle on June 03, 2023, 09:58:06 pm
Going to order this.  Do you think this would work? Cable Matters 4 Prong Replacement 50 AMP RV Power Cord (NEMA 14-50P to 4 Wire) - 25 Feet Amazon.com: Cable Matters 4 Prong Replacement 50 AMP RV Power Cord (NEMA... (https://a.co/d/0UCXT2u)

25 ft seems a little short.  I'm thinking they're usually around 35-50 ft.

(if it's a Glendinning reel, which it looks like it might be with those white rollers, they're available in 36 and 50 ft.)

CRRA-50 - Glendinning Products (https://www.glendinningprods.com/products/cablemaster/crra-50/)

Store - Glendinning Products (https://www.glendinningprods.com/store/Cablemaster-c3154060)

Replacement OEM Glendinning cords here Store - Glendinning Products (https://www.glendinningprods.com/store/RV-Power-Cable-p16319238)
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 03, 2023, 10:03:30 pm
Or this one for heavy duty ?


 Conntek 14302 RV/Generator Power Cord 30-Foot 50 Amp Male Plug to Bare Wire, Black Amazon.com: Conntek 14302 RV/Generator Power Cord 30-Foot 50 Amp Male Plug... (https://a.co/d/b4KToWN)
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: turbojack on June 03, 2023, 10:59:07 pm
Do you have enough cord left to measure?  I am thinking  36ft cord  I think that one will work.

Do you know if you use Amazon link on main page of foreforums it will have Amazon support this web site so we don't have to go through the ads like that are on irv2
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Geodmann on June 03, 2023, 11:21:59 pm
Those cords are STW rated which is a thermoplastic cable jacket.  The plastic is stiff and brittle when cold.  OEM cable and a much better choice is SOOW rated cable which is a much nicer and more pliable rubber cable jacket.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 04, 2023, 12:10:26 am
Thanks George.  I'm going to empty fridge and just talk to factory.    I don't want a brittle case or the wrong size.  Ty everybody. 
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Bob & Sue on June 04, 2023, 02:51:54 am
2nd choice doesn't have a handle?         
 
 Just sayin.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Geodmann on June 04, 2023, 08:29:24 am
I should add that SOOW cable is rated at 600 volts.  SJOOW is rated at 300 volts.  The difference is in the thickness of the cable jacket and insulation on the  conductors and 300 volts is adequate and what was originally provided.  SO rated cable in general is a high quality outdoor exposure rated electrical cord with a rubber/neoprene jacket.  The "J" stands for junior which indicates the 300 volt rating.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: dsd on June 04, 2023, 09:54:06 am
I'm going to empty fridge and just talk to factory. 
Could just use a regular extension cord to power up fridge dropped threw a open window in the mean time?
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Barry & Cindy on June 04, 2023, 10:42:37 am
Did you know you can remove reel and just manually gather up a cable like a most RVers, which could give you years of trouble-free shore power.

Could add an input electrical connector and use any off the shelf 50-amp extension cable. Many Foretravels do not have a reel.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: NevadaBornRvR on June 04, 2023, 12:28:00 pm
I would do the temporary ^.^d  cord for now until you decide how you want or need to proceed.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: craneman on June 04, 2023, 02:00:28 pm
Did you know you can remove reel and just manually gather up a cable like a most RVers, which could give you years of trouble-free shore power.

Could add an input electrical connector and use any off the shelf 50-amp extension cable. Many Foretravels do not have a reel.

2022 Realm, probably not the way to go.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Michelle on June 04, 2023, 02:50:34 pm
2022 Realm, probably not the way to go.

I agree.  Shoreline reels do have some shortcomings, but the ease of reeling in (and pulling out) without hefting around a heavy power cord is worth it to us.  Plus built-in storage of the cord.  Makes it easy to clean the cord as well - damp paper towel wrapped around it while you reel the cord in.

Would have to be repaired at some point when OP goes to sell the coach.  A power cord reel is expected at the FT level of RV, particularly a 2022 model.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: genehorr on June 04, 2023, 04:17:07 pm
Thanks all.  Going to order off Amazon. Nobody has in stock in Vegas.

One problem I see is that it isn't clear what the wire gauges are.  I would get that confirmed first before buying. 

Gene
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Kiwitex on June 05, 2023, 03:30:19 pm
Strongly suggest no splicing of wires, and make sure the wire gauge is the same as the original.
The gauge is sometimes not easy to tell on Amazon products.
You could also try marine supply stores, they very often have 'cut to length' cables and will install the plug for you, then you just wind it on to the reel and away you go. Bound to be some of those near Vegas.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Jan & Richard on June 06, 2023, 09:24:50 am
Strongly suggest no splicing of wires, and make sure the wire gauge is the same as the original.
The gauge is sometimes not easy to tell on Amazon products.
You could also try marine supply stores, they very often have 'cut to length' cables and will install the plug for you, then you just wind it on to the reel and away you go. Bound to be some of those near Vegas.
I agree with the suggestion of marine supply stores.  If not in Vegas then on line. 

Richard
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: NevadaBornRvR on June 06, 2023, 09:39:09 am
Thanks all.  Going to order off Amazon. Nobody has in stock in Vegas.

I am in Town and have a home made cord I have made you can use if needed... I actually have a couple.. I think I kept my old cord and added a plug if I remember too.
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: dsd on June 06, 2023, 01:06:10 pm
Powered RV Electric Cord Reel - 50 Amp / 33 ft. | Southwire RH54331RMK (https://marinepartssource.com/trc-rh54331rmk-powered-rv-electric-cord-reel?gclid=CjwKCAjwsvujBhAXEiwA_UXnAM1o4nk8hm6fdGvymhjfGAQTGO2wElPsqLXRn1EY-jaxRL_H5tsVjRoCFosQAvD_BwE)
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: Tmyz on June 11, 2023, 12:41:22 am
Hi everyone.  Thanks for all the suggestions and offers.  I had my guy do a temp connect using an appliance cord from Home Depot.  Bought me a couple days.    I ordered a factory replacement from FT.  About  $330.00 for a 36 foot.  Not as bad as I thought.    Appreciate all the sane solutions that caused me to think of best solution long term.    Needless to say I'll be double checking my final walk around before pulling out. 
Title: Re: Shore power cord replacement
Post by: turbojack on June 11, 2023, 08:16:53 am
Do you not have a message on the dash display that you are plugged into shore power when engine is running like the ih45's do?