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01-03-2018, 08:17 PM
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#1
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor 29M Hurricane
State: Wisconsin
Posts: 41
THOR #7934
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50 amp extension
I want to get a 50 amp extension chord. Any suggestions ? Wire gauge, # of wires, Length? What about reasonable cost.
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01-03-2018, 08:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
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Just buy one off the internet in whatever length you need. Search for RV power cord. Good ones are spendy!
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01-03-2018, 08:58 PM
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#3
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor 29M Hurricane
State: Wisconsin
Posts: 41
THOR #7934
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH
Just buy one off the internet in whatever length you need. Search for RV power cord. Good ones are spendy!
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Yes, I'm looking at them. Lots of choices. How long is too long, and what gauge wires are recommended?
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01-03-2018, 09:24 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: hurricane 32n
State: Florida
Posts: 799
THOR #4158
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I have 15 feet extension, in last 2 years haven’t used it. Normally 15 feet should be plenty. My 2 cents!
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Jerry and Debbie
2015. Hurricane 32N /Kia Soul toad
Retired
Crawfordville Fl. Vietnam Vet.
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01-03-2018, 09:36 PM
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#5
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor 29M Hurricane
State: Wisconsin
Posts: 41
THOR #7934
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jegdrum5050
I have 15 feet extension, in last 2 years haven’t used it. Normally 15 feet should be plenty. My 2 cents!
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I have a 31' MH. Have you gone front first in a back in site, with all the hookups on the opposite side? Is the 15' enough for this condition?
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01-03-2018, 09:38 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: hurricane 32n
State: Florida
Posts: 799
THOR #4158
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Didn’t have to use it face first.
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Jerry and Debbie
2015. Hurricane 32N /Kia Soul toad
Retired
Crawfordville Fl. Vietnam Vet.
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01-03-2018, 11:05 PM
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#7
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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If your rig is doing it's best to use ALL of those amps: shorter will always be better.
Aren't those 50 amp cords pretty heavy to haul and store?
I keep a spare 50 foot cord with me, but I'm hooking up to 30 amps.
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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01-03-2018, 11:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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50 amp shore lines are usually 6 gauge for L1, L2 and neutral and ground is 8 gauge. The finer the wire strands are the more expensive the shore line is per foot. Thinner wire strands will allow tighter bends and more bending before breaking. I would think the cheapest extension would work because it is seldom used. I carry a 15 ft 50 amp and a 35 foot 30 amp with a 30 amp to 50 amp dogbone.
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Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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01-03-2018, 11:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
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I carry the 'normal' 50A cord with RV to shore connections, a 30-50A adapter, and two 25 foot 30A extensions (from previous rig)...
The 30A extensions are much cheaper and easier to handle/store.
Haven't had the case yet where I needed both the extensions AND more than 30A.... But certainly could happen.
I leave water heater on propane when on 30A..
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Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
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01-04-2018, 12:05 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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do you need this NOW for a site where your existing cord can't reach, or is this just a question about having one 'just in case'?
50a cords are heavy and expensive... stay away from carrying one unless you for sure you know you will need it - the expense will probably cause you this thought to begin with. We've traveled A LOT, for over 80,000 miles, and to Canada and Alaska, and I can't ever remember needing an additional 50a cord(my 50amp shore cord is already 30').
IF, and I say if, you really are 'concerned' you may not somehow be able to reach a 50a shore power pole, you can also purchase a 30a extension cord instead - at least you can then reach the power, but be settling for 30a instead of 100. In temperate weather, 30amps is plenty anyway. Very hot, and Very cold weather are where you really need 50a(100) when running multiple AC units, or a lot of HEAT(especially electric heaters).
You'll be fine. Don't sweat it.
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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01-04-2018, 12:37 AM
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#11
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Magellan
State: Florida
Posts: 53
THOR #6001
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I bought THIS 50A x 25' extension cord. I use it when we load up for every trip to hook up to my 50 A box i had installed in the garage. This cord has the same specifications as what came with our MH. Makes loading and unloading comfortable. I have only used it twice at a CG to get the MH in the best place for the view and privacy. I bought it on Amazon a little over a year ago for $77 and it is now listed at $97.
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Bruce Hotaling, 2 Cockers, Maggie & Sadie
2009 Thor Magellan 36R 37' F53 w/5 star tune
Toad 2010 Ford Ranger W/Rampage lift for the Harley
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01-04-2018, 12:49 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2016 Hurricane 29M
State: California
Posts: 215
THOR #8249
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The thing about "extension" cords is that you are making the distance longer than originally designed. With Voltage, that means that the voltage at the RV has a probability of being lower than the RV expects, thus starting a whole electrical issue.
Extension cord conductors HAVE to be sized correctly, such that the voltage and current that arrives at the RV power center is within the 2-4% that most designers expect power to fluctuate.
There are a lot of good electrical heads on this forum that can get very deep into this, but the take away is try NOT to use an extension cord on top of the RV power cord, and if you have to, spend the money for the Correct conductor size cords.
Just my 2 cents,
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Recie Tyson
2016 Thor Hurricane 29M
Lancaster, CA
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01-04-2018, 12:54 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
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I’d stay with 20 ft or less and go for a larger wire to avoid a voltage drop on a long run. Any longer and it will be totally too heavy and bulky. And if you can’t get any closer to a post than that maybe you should choose a different site. I think mine is 15 ft and I’ve only used it a couple of times - usually when I chose to park in a site “backwards” (which is usually frontward!) and had to route my cord just that much farther.
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01-09-2018, 12:09 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport. 35M
State: New York
Posts: 306
THOR #6199
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I needed an extension at home. I got a good deal on a 25 ft. They are bulky and heavy. They give you more options on where to park and how to park. A friend had to power his RV with a portable generator once and the extension placed the noisy thing farther away.
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Shawn
2017 Windsport 35M
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01-09-2018, 04:18 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
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I bought this adapter in 50 amp version
to prevent cord from coming apart hanging down, cut the original cord in half with 4 prong plugs added, so had 2 - 12.5' to 15' cords, already had a 15 ' extension so now can plug in short, medium or long.
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Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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01-09-2018, 01:32 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 28A Class C
State: Vermont
Posts: 267
THOR #4117
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Here is a link to a wire chart that I have found handy. You can see what wire size you need to have to have the desired voltage drop for the desired length of wire.
https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437
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01-09-2018, 01:37 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,128
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tenbear
Here is a link to a wire chart that I have found handy. You can see what wire size you need to have to have the desired voltage drop for the desired length of wire.
https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437
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The "desired" voltage drop is always zero. I think that table is for an acceptable voltage drop.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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01-09-2018, 01:48 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 28A Class C
State: Vermont
Posts: 267
THOR #4117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
The "desired" voltage drop is always zero. I think that table is for an acceptable voltage drop.
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I think we all know that if you are drawing any current through a wire, a zero voltage drop is impossible. The user has to decide what voltage drop is tolerable. Probably at least in part determined by how much you are willing to pay.
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01-09-2018, 02:58 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 37GT
State: Florida
Posts: 809
THOR #5246
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Several years ago we were in a CG out west (can't remember where) that I needed a longer power cord. I ended up buying a 25' 50amp extension just in case it ever happen again. Over the years since then I have only needed it once or twice but when you need it you need it.
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Full Time in 2017 Newmar Ventana 4369
pulling a 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper/Harley/Kayak)
(traded 2014 Thor Challenger)
US Army 70-73 Retired LEO
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01-10-2018, 03:56 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2016 Siesta Sprinter 24ST
State: Florida
Posts: 602
THOR #2812
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tenbear
Here is a link to a wire chart that I have found handy. You can see what wire size you need to have to have the desired voltage drop for the desired length of wire.
https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437
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............
To figure voltage drop in an AC circuit (50 amp service) use this calculator. Voltage Drop Calculator
Practical way to check:
When using extension cords I check voltage where I plug in and at the RV to see what the drop is. I plugged into 20 amp circuit with 125 volts, 70 feet away, voltage at RV was 116 volts with nothing turned on. As you add to the load that voltage will drop. Below 108 volts can damage motors and electronics. I am comfortable with 111-112 volts, allows for surge when AC starts or Converter kicks in to charge batteries.
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U.S. Coast Guard retired- 1956-1985
Pensacola, Florida
2016 Siesta 24ST
1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado
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