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09-21-2017, 02:36 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 35C
State: California
Posts: 18
THOR #5225
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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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09-21-2017, 02:56 PM
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#2
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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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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.
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-21-2017, 03:54 PM
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#3
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 35SB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 42
THOR #5426
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Cord Reel
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkluber
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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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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Jim & Amy
2017 Chateau 35SB
2011 Ranger Crew 800
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09-21-2017, 03:58 PM
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#4
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 35SB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 42
THOR #5426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nite71
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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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Jim & Amy
2017 Chateau 35SB
2011 Ranger Crew 800
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09-21-2017, 05:06 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
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.
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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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Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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09-21-2017, 06:03 PM
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#6
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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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The thought of how a cold cable would react wasn't considered...
My bad!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-21-2017, 06:39 PM
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#7
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane
State: California
Posts: 32
THOR #6038
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkluber
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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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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Paula and Dave
Laugh....Love....Camp.
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09-21-2017, 06:49 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
State: Arizona
Posts: 408
THOR #7580
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Harbor Freight sells one for approximately $15-20. Works great.
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09-21-2017, 07:14 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 35C
State: California
Posts: 18
THOR #5225
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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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09-21-2017, 07:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Tuscany 40DX
State: Colorado
Posts: 121
THOR #5043
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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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09-21-2017, 08:08 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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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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09-21-2017, 08:21 PM
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#12
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperD
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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And you can always build a fire under the bucket; to warm things up a bit!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-21-2017, 08:26 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,184
THOR #908
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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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09-21-2017, 08:41 PM
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#14
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by blw2
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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I would guess that all of the thick, bulky and unbending insulation and wrap around it, is what keeps things from getting too interesting!
BOOM.jpg
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-21-2017, 09:28 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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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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09-21-2017, 11:13 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
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Dang, there are some smart folks in this forum!
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
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09-21-2017, 11:41 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 34J
State: Michigan
Posts: 238
THOR #6009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ
Dang, there are some smart folks in this forum!
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And funny too!
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09-22-2017, 02:00 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blw2
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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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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09-22-2017, 02:30 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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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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