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Topic: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them? (Read 798 times) previous topic - next topic

Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Thank you for the help.
I was wanting to know the kinds of adapters and cords that one should carry? And also wanting to know if it is okay to plug in 120v 20 amp while in storage to avoid dead batteries.
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #1 –
Sure. I plug into 20 amps all the time at our daughter's home.

Best, Paul
Quote

Thank you for the help.

I was wanting to know the kinds of adapters and cords that one should carry? And also wanting to know if it is okay to plug in 120v 20 amp while in storage to avoid dead batteries.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #2 –
We carried a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter and a 50 amp to 15 amp adapter.  We also carried an adapter that converts both outlets of a duplex outlet to a 30 amp socket - it does not increase the capacity of the power outlet, but it does reduce heat buildup should you pull near the outlet's capacity.

Matt B

Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: 16840138 –
Thank you for the help.
I was wanting to know the kinds of adapters and cords that one should carry? And also wanting to know if it is okay to plug in 120v 20 amp while in storage to avoid dead batteries.

                        We carry a 50 amp to 30 amp adaptor and a 30 amp to standard 20 amp. Gets us by in most situations.

                                  D&D
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #4 –
Yup:

15 male to 30 female adapter.

30 male to 50 female adapter.

And AFTER verifying that your inverter/charger is properly programmed, leave it plugged in 24/7. Make sure other loads such as water heater electric element are off.  And part of programming the inverter/charger is reducing its max amp draw.  Actually better for the batteries to be charged at slower rate, and will help insure that you don't draw too much 120 VAC.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #5 –
I also carry an adapter that will change polarity if needed and install a ground (if needed) for the 120v 20 amp system only. I made it myself as you definitly need one in Mexico (and a few places in US that I found) I do not plug in without checking polarity with tester and if wrong I use "my" adapter to fix a 120v 15/20 amp outlet.Simple and good
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #6 –
I carry a 30A (male) to  50A (female) adapter, a 50A (male) to 30A (female) adapter, a 25' long 50A cord and a 40' cord with 30A connectors on each end. I've used all of those at one time or another. I also have a 30A (male) to 20A (female) adapter that I have not used in a long time. I think I have a few others in a drawer in the Princess.

Most of the adapters I bought at Walmart. The 50A cord came with the RV (handle on the plug).

I am very careful not to coil any electrical cords on top of themselves but lay them out so that there is no potential heat build-up either due to inductive coupling or through direct heat transfer.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #7 –
A special thank you to all of you. I am appreciative of the gracious sharing of information. I will try to not ask too many questions. John 
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: 16840138 –
A special thank you to all of you. I am appreciative of the gracious sharing of information. I will try to not ask too many questions. John

John... you're welcome. But don't be too shy about asking questions. Most of us actually *like* being useful. :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #9 –
I like the  short 50 to 15 amp adapter like Matt has listed. Makes it handy to plug in a garden variety extension cord for charging, running the radio or TV if parked at a friend's house or not on our slab. Beats uncoiling the big heavy cord. Had not thought about changing polarity like John can do.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #10 –
 
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yup:

15 male to 30 female adapter.

30 male to 50 female adapter.

And AFTER verifying that your inverter/charger is properly programmed, leave it plugged in 24/7. Make sure other loads such as water heater electric element are off.  And part of programming the inverter/charger is reducing its max amp draw.  Actually better for the batteries to be charged at slower rate, and will help insure that you don't draw too much 120 VAC.

Brett
John,
DITTO:  Brett's adapters and logic.
That is all that we've used in 14 years of FT'ing.
I would mention that when using the shorty 15 male to 30 female adapter, it is easy to damage either the outlet or the adapter (overheating either or both) if it is running near full outlet capacity for long periods of time and the weight/strain of the connecting cable causes the adapter to "sag" at all in the duplex outlet. If  the adapter becomes hot and "sags at all", it can create a high resistance/small footprint contact area in the duplex outlet. 
e.g. - I had tied mine up to relieve the strain, but, I saw several 15 male to 30 female adapters made into putty one night in PA when several FT's at a rally were trying to get through a hot night on single AC's on 15 amp duplex outlets (mounted five feet up on power poles around a fairground).  At least one of the adaptors shorted internally, tripped the feeder breaker and caused a minor blackout for one or two other coaches.  Lots of coaches running on generators the next morning!
Since then, I've always carried a six foot, #10 extension cord with me in order to be able to lay the 50 cord , plus 30 male to 50 female adapter, plus shorty 15 male to 30 female adapter all on the ground and avoid any strain on the outlet. 
FWIW,
Neal
 
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Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten
 

Re: Types of power cords and adapters that one should carry with them?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Neal Pillsbury –
Since then, I've always carried a six foot, #10 extension cord with me in order to be able to lay the 50 cord , plus 30 male to 50 female adapter, plus shorty 15 male to 30 female adapter all on the ground and avoid any strain on the outlet. 
FWIW,
Neal
                  Neal's cord idea is a good one. I always check the power source and the cords, adaptors etc. when plugged into anything less than 50 Amp for those reasons. I have seen a whole lot of electric motors, cords and outlets destroyed due to low voltage situations on construction sites.
                            Just because there is juice there dosen't mean it's the right juice. Always good to double check.
                                            Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270