Posted 2006-06-28 8:29 AM (#43733) Subject: Extension Cord for Electric
Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: Indianapolis, IN
I have a converted mini LQ in my trailer. I have a cord that is far enough for close hookups but when I go to plug my trailer in at shows, sometimes the electric is further away. I would love to be able to get a longer one, does anyone know if I can get one and where I can get one?
Posted 2006-06-28 8:46 AM (#43736 - in reply to #43733) Subject: RE: Extension Cord for Electric
Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA
RV store sell them. Another suggestion is to get a surge protector. They will tell you if you have a proper hook up and protect your appliances from blowing out if there is a power surge. They run about $100 but they are much cheaper than a new fridge!
Posted 2006-06-28 1:11 PM (#43746 - in reply to #43733) Subject: RE: Extension Cord for Electric
Expert
Posts: 2954
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by qhgirl on 2006-06-28 7:29 AM
I have a converted mini LQ in my trailer. I have a cord that is far enough for close hookups but when I go to plug my trailer in at shows, sometimes the electric is further away. I would love to be able to get a longer one, does anyone know if I can get one and where I can get one?
Any home building store or electrical supply store will sell you a cord. The point is to purchase a cord gauge commensurate with the total length of cord. The longer the cord the heavier the gauge needed to keep the voltage from being restricted. For lights only, the cord size is not critical. Air conditioners, microwaves, and TV’s are sensitive to the supplied voltage.
A 16-gauge cord is okay for 25 feet, but at 100 feet... the voltage would be "Brown-out time" for an air conditioner. This situation is analogous to sucking a soda through a drinking straw. You can easily get enough drink when the straw is less than a foot long. Try a 50-foot long straw. It's the same size as the first straw, just longer. I doubt you be pleased.
The air conditioner is the best example of a power appliance. It needs a lot of power and if it doesn't get enough, it will burn up or not work correctly. If you have an a/c unit I would suggest two (2) 10 gauge cords of fifty feet length.
Since these cords are heavy... Use one cord if long enough, two cords together if needed. Makes handling the cords, a lot easier
This isn't cheap, but neither is a replacement a/c unit
Posted 2006-06-28 1:59 PM (#43750 - in reply to #43733) Subject: RE: Extension Cord for Electric
Regular
Posts: 87
Location: Lavaca, Alabama
I've found cords at campingworld.com that are much cheaper than buying at a big discount store like Lowe's or Home Depot. They have 50' 15 Amp 10 gauge cords for $55.
Posted 2006-06-28 6:20 PM (#43759 - in reply to #43733) Subject: RE: Extension Cord for Electric
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
I picked up a RV extension cord at CAL Ranch supply. I think it was $25 for a 25 foot 30 amp 10 gauge wire. It also had the RV plugs on both ends. So my trailer wire plugs directly into it and I use an adapter at the other end to plug into my 110 or 220 house plug.
Bottom line I think there are numerous places to find these. Home Depot and Lowes probably are not the first choice since they cater to HOME products vs RV products. But most places that sell RV accessories probably will have them.