It seems that everywhere we go to camp we don't have enough electric cord. I have a 30 amp cord with the male connector on one end and nothing on the other end. It came from a bus conversion. It is a great heavy duty cord. I have found on e-bay the 30 amp female replacement receptacle. My question is, why can't I just put a heavy duty regular extension cord end which would be cheaper? I would have to use an adapter from my trailer cord to "it", but I have 2 of them anyway. Appreciate some help on this subject. Thanks.
Posted 2009-07-11 9:15 PM (#107874 - in reply to #107869) Subject: RE: Extension cord for trailer question
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
Because of the amperage you can't use a standard extension cord, unless risking a meltdown makes for a fun weekend for you, even with end adapters. Your best bet is go to an RV/Camper place and get an extension from them with the proper wire for 30AMP.
Posted 2009-07-11 9:18 PM (#107875 - in reply to #107869) Subject: RE: Extension cord for trailer question
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
Whups, unless of course you are only plugging into 110/120 outlets. Then, by all means use an adapter and use a regular extension cord. Now if you are intending on plugging into a 30AMP receptacle, you will want a 30AMP cord. Seriously.
Posted 2009-07-11 10:06 PM (#107880 - in reply to #107869) Subject: RE: Extension cord for trailer question
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
Walmart also sells RV extension cords and like most everything else they sell it for less, but I won't go into how Walmart is destroying US manufacturers and small MoM and PoP shops especially since that would be hypocritcal of me since I do have an occasion to shop there.
Posted 2009-07-11 10:28 PM (#107884 - in reply to #107869) Subject: RE: Extension cord for trailer question
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by Lea Anne on 2009-07-11 9:36 PM
I have a 30 amp cord with the male connector on one end and nothing on the other end. . It is a great heavy duty cord. I have found on e-bay the 30 amp female replacement receptacle. My question is, why can't I just put a heavy duty regular extension cord end which would be cheaper? Appreciate some help on this subject. Thanks.
A heavy duty connector is usually rated at a maximum of 20 amps. Even though your cord is rated at 30 amps, the connector would be the "weakest link". By using a standard 30 amp connector, you will have full use of the additional capacity your heavier cord will afford.
However, depending on the length of this cord added to the shore cord, and the appliances you are using, you may have to refigure the maximum draw you will now have available, because of the potential line loss.
Posted 2009-07-12 1:46 PM (#107904 - in reply to #107869) Subject: RE: Extension cord for trailer question
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: ark/ok border
Kudos leslie on Walmart! Now as far as the cord we went to a local electian and had them make us a 50 foot that was cheaper than than u can get anywhere else and was rated correctly.
Posted 2009-07-12 2:49 PM (#107908 - in reply to #107869) Subject: RE: Extension cord for trailer question
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Grant City, Missouri
Very informative links guys. I knew that the length of the cord was important. At CCTR most everybody has to run an extra extension cord. I was also recently at a Bluegrass Festival and folks were having to run long cord/s to connect, so I know that it is done. The cord that I have is 30 amp cord that my "X" took the female end off and put a different connection on for our bus conversion. I just thought I might as well use that cord and put an end on it. So Gard, you are saying there isn't a heavy duty end that would be big enough for it. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.
Posted 2009-07-12 7:32 PM (#107920 - in reply to #107908) Subject: RE: Extension cord for trailer question
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by Lea Anne on 2009-07-12 3:49 PM
. So Gard, you are saying there isn't a heavy duty end that would be big enough for it. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.
No I didn't say that. I said that a normal heavy duty end is a 20 amp capacity, and installing it, would under utilize the rating of your cord. By installing a 30 amp connector, you will be able to use its full capacity and have less of a line loss with the additional length. You can always use the 20 amp adapters if that is what is available. Once you have a 20 amp connector installed, you cannot use a 30 amp service at 30 amps.
Extension cord for trailer question
