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Old 09-21-2017, 02:36 PM   #1
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50amp power cord storage

I have a 2016 Windsport 35C and find it very difficult to coil the 50amp power cord for storage. The diameter of the cord is part of the problem and the heavy duty vinyl cover also contributes to this problem especially when breaking camp during the early morning hours. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Old 09-21-2017, 02:56 PM   #2
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It's just part of the physical characteristics of such a heavy power cord...
What if you used a hose caddy, to try and help coil it up? A decent water hose would be a reasonable thing to compare it to.
I think that Camper's World sells them.
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Old 09-21-2017, 03:54 PM   #3
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Cord Reel

Quote:
Originally Posted by rkluber View Post
I have a 2016 Windsport 35C and find it very difficult to coil the 50amp power cord for storage. The diameter of the cord is part of the problem and the heavy duty vinyl cover also contributes to this problem especially when breaking camp during the early morning hours. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm not sure how big your storage compartment is but here's what I installed in my 35SB. It works great!

Easy Reel Spooler - Economy - MORryde Products
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Old 09-21-2017, 03:58 PM   #4
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I'm not sure how big your storage compartment is but here's what I installed in my 35SB. It works great!

Easy Reel Spooler - Economy - MORryde Products
Meant to add a pic with the cord on the reel. Here ya go! (I don't know how to get it to rotate correctly. Sorry!)
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Old 09-21-2017, 05:06 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Welcome to the site!
It's just part of the physical characteristics of such a heavy power cord...
What if you used a hose caddy, to try and help coil it up? A decent water hose would be a reasonable thing to compare it to.
I think that Camper's World sells them.
You will NEVER get a cold 50 amp cord into one of those hose caddys... in fact it's VERY difficult to get a hose in it if they are cold.The reel is by far you best option, but is still a PITA when cold.
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Old 09-21-2017, 06:03 PM   #6
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The thought of how a cold cable would react wasn't considered...
My bad!
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Old 09-21-2017, 06:39 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by rkluber View Post
I have a 2016 Windsport 35C and find it very difficult to coil the 50amp power cord for storage. The diameter of the cord is part of the problem and the heavy duty vinyl cover also contributes to this problem especially when breaking camp during the early morning hours. Does anyone have any suggestions?


I have the same problem so anxious to see answers! We are putting ours in these heavy duty XXL "baggies" and they have handles it works pretty well for storage.
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Old 09-21-2017, 06:49 PM   #8
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Harbor Freight sells one for approximately $15-20. Works great.
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Old 09-21-2017, 07:14 PM   #9
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Thanks for the inputs. The problem only occurs in the early morning when the temps are colder. Don't think a hose reel would help because the cable is too stiff to be rolled up. Thought of using a blow dryer or heat gun (on low) to warm up the cable but then I'd have to start my generator in order to get electric power and run an extension cord to the opposite side to plug the dryer/gun into. I'll look into getting some kind of insulating sleeve that would wrap around the cable and hopefully keep it warmer and more pliable.
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Old 09-21-2017, 07:52 PM   #10
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Some of you will take exception to this idea but it worked for me. We had a Keystone 5th wheel with 50 amp service. With one AC it is not possible to use 50 amps. I got a 10-3 with ground type SO (I think or SJ outdoor use) rubberized cable and wired it into my 50 service with the standard 50 amp plug for the pedestal. 10 Gage is well able to blow the 50 amp breaker but you could change the 50 amp to 30 amps. Remember that you actually get 50 (or 30 amps) times two, so a lot of power. For nearly 10 years not one iota of problem with this setup. I can understand the concern some may have of this fix but it sure is easier to roll out and most important, roll back up! The biggest problem is the $3/foot or so cost of the cable. We now moved up to a class A that came with the electric cable wind up that works great for the 50 amp cord. But now we have three AC's to feed!
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Old 09-21-2017, 08:08 PM   #11
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I used a five gallon bucket to coil the cord in, cheap and not to bad to use, I always wear a pair of gloves. I only pulled out what I needed from the bucket, then didn't have as much to put back, easier to carry too!
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Old 09-21-2017, 08:21 PM   #12
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I used a five gallon bucket to coil the cord in, cheap and not to bad to use, I always wear a pair of gloves. I only pulled out what I needed from the bucket, then didn't have as much to put back, easier to carry too!
And you can always build a fire under the bucket; to warm things up a bit!
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Old 09-21-2017, 08:26 PM   #13
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riddle me this....inductive heating?

When i was a teen, a friend's grandpa had one of those drop light extension cord in a spring loaded reel hanging in his show. We were using it one evening, powering a small handheld electric drill If I''m remembering correctly.... and the real caught on fire....yep flames and all....
I'm a mechanical guy and while I'm fairly electrical savvy I'm no expert.... but I've always figured it was induction....

so my question...
what keeps these cord reels in RV's from lighting up?

(I mean, like when the cord is only partially extended to an outlet close by)
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Old 09-21-2017, 08:41 PM   #14
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riddle me this....inductive heating?

When i was a teen, a friend's grandpa had one of those drop light extension cord in a spring loaded reel hanging in his show. We were using it one evening, powering a small handheld electric drill If I''m remembering correctly.... and the real caught on fire....yep flames and all....
I'm a mechanical guy and while I'm fairly electrical savvy I'm no expert.... but I've always figured it was induction....

so my question...
what keeps these cord reels in RV's from lighting up?

(I mean, like when the cord is only partially extended to an outlet close by)
I would guess that all of the thick, bulky and unbending insulation and wrap around it, is what keeps things from getting too interesting!
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Old 09-21-2017, 09:28 PM   #15
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They learned a long time ago that better insulation was the key to reducing induction induced heating in large cords. Another method is by using spiraling of wiring in the cord, this reduces or eliminates magnetic induction.
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Old 09-21-2017, 11:13 PM   #16
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Dang, there are some smart folks in this forum!
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Old 09-21-2017, 11:41 PM   #17
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Dang, there are some smart folks in this forum!
And funny too!
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Old 09-22-2017, 02:00 AM   #18
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riddle me this....inductive heating?

When i was a teen, a friend's grandpa had one of those drop light extension cord in a spring loaded reel hanging in his show. We were using it one evening, powering a small handheld electric drill If I''m remembering correctly.... and the real caught on fire....yep flames and all....
I'm a mechanical guy and while I'm fairly electrical savvy I'm no expert.... but I've always figured it was induction....

so my question...
what keeps these cord reels in RV's from lighting up?

(I mean, like when the cord is only partially extended to an outlet close by)
I have a Craftsman spring rewind reel that I noticed had a "dead spot" because my fan would stop. If I pulled out/retracted some cable the fan would come on again! I opened the unit up and found a burned spot on the cicular copper contact. I carefully polished it and the other contact with an ink pen eraser. Then, applied dielectric grease.Still I am not trusting it to power heavy loads or when I leave the house!!
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Old 09-22-2017, 02:30 AM   #19
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When you run electricity thru a copper wire you generate heat due to resistance. If you have a cord that is coiled tightly on a spool, and then run a lot of amps thru it you're going to generate heat. If you have poor insulation and don't have adequate ventilation you can cause the insulation to melt.

RV power cords are designed to carry heavy loads, their resistance is low and the insulation is high. Chances of building up enough heat in a coiled cord to cause a problem is very low. I would have never coiled my cord in a bucket if I thought it would be a problem.
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