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Shoreline Connection

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

Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #1 –
Voltage Drop Calculator

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!
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #2 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #3 –
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

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

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #4 –

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...

Amazon.com: Camco PowerGrip Replacement Plug- Transform Your RV Plug Into a...

Amazon.com: Camco 55353 50 AMP Female Replacement Receptacle: Automotive
 

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #5 –
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.

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #6 –
Watch the voltage as you apply loads. When the voltage starts to drop don't add any more load.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #7 –
I am currently on 60' no problems
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #8 –
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.
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: Shoreline Connection

Reply #9 –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #10 –
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 🤣
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #11 –
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
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #12 –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #13 –
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.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #14 –
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.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #15 –
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?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #16 –
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
 

Re: Shoreline Connection

Reply #17 –
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. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4