Shore power cord reel; safety issue

[scottz]

I just installed the retrofit kit to rebuild my shore power cord reel. While doing so, I inspected the #6 cable from the front of the RV where it attaches to the cord reel. At the rear of the RV, above the fresh water tank, my cable runs through the frame rail and through the cord reel box which is welded to the frame. The outer sheath of the cable was split and torn for about 8 inches back towards the center of the RV. The hole in the cord reel box has a grommet, so the sheath was probably damaged during initial install; the wire insulation was not damaged, but the wires were no longer sheathed. I installed split loom that runs for at least 12" behind the cord reel box. There is no easy way to inspect this without taking the panel off, but if you have the corroplast down for any reason, take a look at the cable.

 

[Mikendebbie]

Scott - what is the “retrofit kit”? Why were you rebuilding the cord reel?
Mine is operating properly at the moment, but I always want to be ready to fix it if it goes south.

Did you remove coroplast to follow the cable routing for inspection front to back?

 

[scottz]

No, I did not remove corroplast; I could get my arm behind the cord reel box and feel about 12" of the cord. I can't imagine there being any movement in this cable to tear the outer sheath; I think it has always been this way; damaged at OEM install.

The retrofit kit is an upgrade/repair. Mine was also operating correctly (or so I thought), but it is better now. Before, it was difficult to pull the cord out (free wheel); it could be done but sometimes I had to power it out; I thought that was normal. Retracting worked ok, but occasionally the reel coupler would jump; the chain was not slipping. I figured I would rebuild it before the jumping got worse.

After installing the retrofit kit, the reel works a lot smoother and the cord can be easily pulled out; I like it.

The kit is a Southwire CRRK-01; about $80. I did a search for it and seems out of stock most places, but these guys had some. Do a Google search and see what you find. The install was easy; just a pain to remove the panel and pull the reel out.

https://inetmarine.com/southwirecrrk-01reelcouplerretrofitkitblack.aspx

PDF instructions attached.