50 amp Extension Cord

[mbjam359]

We may be camping in a spot we will require a longer electrical cord for 50 amp service. I wont use one if not necessary.


Any suggestions or concerns in this situation.
Should I buy a manufactured cord or build it myself? I have the wire but need yo buy the ends.

[BB_TX]

There is no problem using a well made extension cord. I bought one since I wanted molded waterproof connectors on such end. Got lucky and found a good sale at the same time I anted one.

[jcurtis934]

I bought mine and have had no issues. Have had to use it several times when I run into a rv park that has its pedestals too far forward...as now at harpers ferry koa.

[Jbbev]

What’s a good price I should look for? Say a 30 foot extension.

[DebNJim B]

I paid $60 for my 15 footer.

[richfaa]

We carry a 50 amp extension cord with us at all times. It is of good quality. We have used it on many occasions since 2006 with not a problem.

[DQDick]

We carry a high quality one that I got on sale cheaper than what the plugs would cost to make it myself.

[cpaulsen]

Same here..bought a 25 footer.....cheaper then I could make one.

[MARK A]

Originally Posted by mbjam359

We may be camping in a spot we will require a longer electrical cord for 50 amp service. I wont use one if not necessary.


Any suggestions or concerns in this situation.
Should I buy a manufactured cord or build it myself? I have the wire but need yo buy the ends.

You can’t buy the stuff to make them for what they cost.

Mark

[Wyatt Earp]

What lengths do you have? I'm looking at 15' but a 30' isn't that much more. Do you need to worry about line loss with a longer cord?

[richfaa]

We have two 15 foot extensions and have used them a couple of times at fair grounds . We did not see a loss.

[Texan]

Same here. I have the 15' extension cord and needed it every time i plugged in at home until i moved my pedestal closer. I've used the 15' a few times traveling but never needed more than the 15'. I've seen no problem with the 15' but you would have a little drop if using an 50' extension cord. I don't think i would go over 25' for an extension cord.

[BB_TX]

Voltage drop is directly proportional to current and resistance, V=IR. Resistance for a 25’ 50 amp cord would be about 0.0004 ohms per foot of wire. About 0.02 ohms for length of the 25’ cable (25’ of wire for each direction = 50’). At full 50 amps the total voltage drop would be about 1 volt. At 25 amps the voltage drop would be about 0.5 volts. There would be another very small drop due to the additional plug connection. But that would be there whether the cord length was 15’, 25’, or 50’. Since you are not likely to be approaching full current you can see that voltage drop due to the extension cord is of little concern.

[richfaa]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Voltage drop is directly proportional to current and resistance, V=IR. Resistance for a 25’ 50 amp cord would be about 0.0004 ohms per foot of wire. About 0.02 ohms for length of the 25’ cable (25’ of wire for each direction = 50’). At full 50 amps the total voltage drop would be about 1 volt. At 25 amps the voltage drop would be about 0.5 volts. There would be another very small drop due to the additional plug connection. But that would be there whether the cord length was 15’, 25’, or 50’. Since you are not likely to be approaching full current you can see that voltage drop due to the extension cord is of little concern.

I was just going to say that.

[worleyjrtx5]

Look on Craigslists/Facebook Sales. Found mine on Craigslists, two 15 ft. Both nearly new. Guy was getting out of RV'ing. 1/3 d the price.

[packnrat]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Voltage drop is directly proportional to current and resistance, V=IR. Resistance for a 25’ 50 amp cord would be about 0.0004 ohms per foot of wire. About 0.02 ohms for length of the 25’ cable (25’ of wire for each direction = 50’). At full 50 amps the total voltage drop would be about 1 volt. At 25 amps the voltage drop would be about 0.5 volts. There would be another very small drop due to the additional plug connection. But that would be there whether the cord length was 15’, 25’, or 50’. Since you are not likely to be approaching full current you can see that voltage drop due to the extension cord is of little concern.

i do not get it.
a extenson cord can have loss?
but hard wall wire does not?
or am i missing something here?

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by packnrat

i do not get it.
a extenson cord can have loss?
but hard wall wire does not?
or am i missing something here?

All wire, including the wire in your house, has some amount of inherent resistance. And that resistance does cause some voltage drop proportional to the current flowing thru it. Done correctly, wire is sized so that the resistance (and therefore the voltage drop) is minimal for the amount of current that particular wire is expected to carry. The larger the wire the less the resistance and the less voltage drop for a defined current over the length of that wire.

[Nighthawk]

Yes, the 50 amp cords are heavy. I have camped a few times where my cord does not reach the pedestal. Instead of an extension cord, I added another 50 amp receptacle close to the service centre where the feed from the factory receptacle at the rear of the trailer ends up (at the service panel). I used #8 wire, heavy enough for 50 amps and tied into the existing cable going to the service panel. I only needed a few feet of wire. To avoid the rear being hot when plugged into the side receptacle, you might want to use a transfer switch.

Now I can plug into the back or the trailer or the side of the trailer with no need for an extension cord. I use my installed side receptacle most of the time as the pedestals are usually near the centre of the campsite. It has been very convenient.

I don't know why Keystone, and other mfg, put the power receptacle at the rear of the trailer, then run a long heavy cable in the trailer belly to the front/centre of the trailer where the service panel often is located. I'm convinced the designers of trailers have never gone RV-ing!

[mbjam359]

We just got home from the trip that I thought I might need on. I took a chance and did not purchase one and had little to spare. It was close but we had some options.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I don't know why Keystone, and other mfg, put the power receptacle at the rear of the trailer, then run a long heavy cable in the trailer belly to the front/centre of the trailer where the service panel often is located. I'm convinced the designers of trailers have never gone RV-ing!

The only 5r I've seen with the power plug at the rear was a 3 year old Cardinal by Forest River. My experience is rather limited (shopped for 10 months - owned for 8). Our 2018 Montana has the plug just aft of the axles port side (slightly south of middle).