Angel4JohnnyB
Leasburg, Missouri
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Joined: 08/14/2008
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Hi all,
Was in Wal-Mart yesterday looking for an extension cord for the TT. When we park at the MIL's we are going to have to convert to 110 and have an extension cord to be able to reach her house......
What I need to know is what "gauge" do I need?
My neighbor (does not RV but does have a horse trailer with A/C in it) told me my 'regular' extension cord is not heavy enough to run my A/C without burning it up.
Makes sense since my A/C was fading in and out when I was out there cleaning.
So...is 12 gauge okay? Or do I need to find heavier? (the one I currently have is just what normal people buy for around the house and garages)
RV place tried to sell me one for $100.....just an extension for the one that is already in place inside the RV for 30 amp service. I'm thinking I can get away with a bit less than that I'm not sure.
The sales lady at the RV place told me she just uses a heavy duty extension and has never had a problem. What is "heavy duty"? 14? 12?
Also.......I'm learning very quickly that not all RVers are as nice as y'all are on here..........while at Wally World yesterday.....wandering around confused.....I saw a guy in the RV section (if you can call it that at Wal-Mart....lol) anyway he was selecting things like he "KNEW" what the heck he was doing....so I walked up to him and kindly said.....
"you guys RV"? (his wife was nearby, one isle over I think)
He looked at me and he was like.....
"YEAH, SO?"
He was really rude the way he said it.
I bit my tongue as to not say something rude back and asked him if he knew what gauge of extension cord I would need to use to convert my 30 amp service to plug it into a house receptical.
He told me I needed to go to an RV place and they would be able to tell me what I needed. And that Wal-Mart was not the place to shop for such a thing, nothing they have is going to work that I'm going to have to buy the one specifically for 30 amp service.
Please tell me this was a fluke and that "MOST" RVers are kind and want to be helpful if they can....
So I'm a bit confused now since the man at the RV place told me that 30 amp and the lady said I could just use a heavy duty extension cord.
I'd like to buy 100 ft just to be on the safe side, I'm not sure how far it is going to be from where we part to the nearest receptical...
I assume I'm better off to buy two 50's instead of a 100 because if I only need 50 then the electric won't need to travel the entire 100 foot length.......is that right? or should I just go with a 100??
Thanks in advance..
Vikki
DW-Vikki DH-John(Army Ret.) 3 boys (13, 4 & 2)
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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Joined: 07/21/2007
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Go to Home Depot and buy two 50' 10 gauge extension cords with the trade name Ridgit stock # SKU 709-726. They are about $50 each. Then go to the RV dealer or even Walmart and buy the adapter that allows the male RV plug on the the RV cord to plug into the extension cords.
On edit:
Using this type of extension cords, you still get the 10 gauge wires that are in the RV cords for 30 amp service but can be used around the house as well. Regualr RV extension cords are available as well, that have the mae and female RV ends. I have seen them at Walmart, but are available from Camping World. You would still need the adapter.
* This post was
edited 09/07/08 07:33am by wayne_tw *
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DeutscheMan
Oregon Coast
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Joined: 08/17/2003
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I'm not an electrician, but for what its worth, I have been using a 50ft 12 gauge extension cord for years. I have a dogbone style adapter for that purpose. I would not recommend trying to run the AC and the microwave at the same time however. I also carry a 25ft. I have two 25ft 10 gauge cords, but haven't needed them.
Bill
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relaxin
Fenwick, Ontario
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Joined: 03/12/2003
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if youplan on going as much as 100 feet plus the 25 to 30 feet of cord attached to your unit and run your AC, a # 12 wire would be pushing it as a significant voltage drop will occure when the AC starts up, and will be a few volts while running, at 50 feet you would be ok but 100 is pushing it. I would just buy 2 50 foot rv extension cords that are 10 gage and use the 30 to 15 amp converter at the house receptical. those cords, one if not both may save you some greif at a campground where the power is a little father than expected from your unit. I personaly have 2 store bought 50 footers and one home made 75 footer, seems theres allways someone (usually a new rv owner) that shows up at a site around me that does not have enough cord, so I have one to lend, just to be neighbourly, and it usually follows with an invite to join them for a couple beers around their campfire. I don't think I paid more than $50 (each)for the store bought cords
Relaxin, hikin, canoin, enjoyin life
headin down the road with a 25 foot starcraft, canoe, camera & fishing rod,'86 gmc 1 ton crew cab 454 "Sheila"
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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I would go back to Wally World and get the 30 amp cords that that sell. RV stores will sell what they have and not what you really want.
Most large hardware stores won't have 10 gauge cords with 15/20 amp cord bodies.
Yes, you will need an adapter. 100 feet is a long way to go. Even with 10 gauge wire you are going to have voltage drop.
The guy you saw at Wal-Mart is at least a jerk and does not represent the majority of the RVers.
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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TankerDude
West of Middle Earth
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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I've always found that the 10 gauge is best, but that's just me. My tendency is to over-do just a little so I won't have to 'do' again. Better to be safe than sorry.
Also, when using longer extension cords, if you have more cord than you need, don't leave the slack coiled up in a pile. Believe it or not, this condition contributes to the cord getting hot. It's best to get most of the cord in contact with the ground, 'cuz that contact acts like a heat sink and helps keep that cord cool.
Also 2, the 30 Amp to 15/20 Amp converter is going to be the week spot. I haven't seen a store bought converter yet that doesn't get WAY too hot. It cost me a little more than the $1.75 for one at the RV store, but I made one out of parts available at Lowes or HD that doesn't have a heat problem.
2004 Ford F350 PSD 6L 4x4 Crew Cab.
2007 Jayco Eagle 322 FKS.
Camping with DW Terry,
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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I woould go to Wally World and get 2 of their 50' 10 guage cords for the reason you mentioned plus 100' in one piece gets bulky and heavy.
When we had a 30 amp service I carried a 50' and a 100', never had to use both ath the same time. I try to not use any at all but if I have to iuse the minimum necessary. 
Papa Bob
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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I also got the extension cord that Walmart has for the 30A service. Price was pretty reasonable, compared to CW or other RV shops. I have the adapter to plug into the 15A outlet outside, but plan to upgrade to a 30 outlet soon. I run the A/C with the 15A circuit, though only the A/C.
Using a smaller wire for your extension cord, can lead to overheating of the plug connections, and early wear...and eventual failure of the circuit. You noticed that there was a "brown out" effect with the set up you have, which tells me that you need to upgrade! Keep in mind, the further you have to run that wire, the larger your wire should be!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Your choice, but 100 feet is WAY long if you plan to run A/C and use non-standard cords. The 30 amp RV extension cords, meant to be used alone at 50 feet, are 10 gauge. If you use TWO of them, and want to use A/C, IMO get an 8 EIGHT gauge cord.
In any case, get a voltmeter and plug it in INSIDE your RV. Watch voltage when you turn on A/C. It will drop, but should come back up in a second to AT LEAST 110 VAC. If voltage is lower, turn off A/C until you buy a bigger gauge (smaller number) extension cord. Voltages below 110 VAC have been known to ruin A/C's.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Coming out of a Standard House connection, you will have either 15 amps or 20 amps. I hope it is 20 amps as you will need it to run the A/C with any degree of certainty. Also, make sure that every ting else on the circuit is OFF.
In your RV, run frig and water heater and propane...not electric to help a bit on the load in the RV.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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