50a electrical plugs?
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04-13-2008, 09:50
Post: #1
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50a electrical plugs?
Ryan, last year we had a spike in voltage and the extension cord I was plugged into fried. I got 50 feet of new cable from Terry Neal and used the original ends to make a long cord. It's heavy, flexible- if the temps are over 50- and I don't have to use an extension cord. The wires are a little tough to work into the original plugs, but after the retro-fit- I would not go back to the 25 footer, ever.
Ernie Ekberg 83PT40 Livingston, Montana where the temps reached into the 70's today!!! It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money Finance. |
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04-13-2008, 13:35
Post: #2
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50a electrical plugs?
Speaking of electrical connections, I have a bit of a dilemma: My
50amp cord is not long enough to reach my service point. I have some questions: 1. Where can I buy a 50 amp coach-side plug that will fit in the outlet? I bought one that is "right" as far as the electrical contacts are concerned, but the plug body was too thick and hit the "ceiling" in the electrical hookup compartment. I don't want to steal the plug off my factory cord - would prefer to keep that in the coach for traveling and build a new cord I can leave at home. 2. Why doesn't anyone sell a 50 foot, 50 amp cord? I see lots of 50 foot 30 amps but no 50ft/50a. Will I have a problem if I make one? I understand voltage drop but I currently have my factory cord plugged into a 25 foot, 50 amp extension cord, and it works fine. I have to hide the connection point between the two cords under the coach to keep it from getting wet if it rains, though, so the situation is not ideal. 3. Alternatively, I am considering putting a 50 amp input receptacle on the other side of the coach. I'd still want the factory receptacle live, though. Any advice on how I might accomplish the tie in & where to route wires? I'm betting I would need to install an auto-transfer switch to make this safe and/or to code, as I know I can't just tie two sets of wires to the same lugs. I'd have done this by now but I can't even find how to access the existing wires feeding the coach electrical panel. Where / how do they route to the connector? Lots of hard questions. Appreciate any advice. -Ryan '86 PT-40 8V92 |
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04-13-2008, 14:00
Post: #3
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50a electrical plugs?
On Apr 13, 2008, at 6:35 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:
They tend to be expensive, so they're not often heavily advertised. Camping World has 'em here's a listing with a 15' and a 30' cord listed. (I got one of these for my coach. Found one on sale and saved about $30 last year.) This one's cheaper, but only has a connector on one end Amazon.com also has listings (30' for $150).
Can't help with that one. I've tried to trace the inbound power to my coach from the shore power input, and it just disappears back behind stuff. I don't know exactly what your concern is. I have a rather long run from my home to where my coach is parked. I use a 'dog bone' 50-30 amp adapter, then a 30 amp extension cord to get to my power outlet (although I could have provided 50 amp service off my house wiring). The set up provides plenty of power for the battery charger and for running lights, etc. while parked at home. If necessary, I can even run one AC without overloading the circuit. (If I need more power, I unplug the shore power and fire up the generator.) I bought the 50 Amp extension after encountering a couple of cases where service connections at RV parks were particularly inconvenient. I'd prefer a longer wire run than a longer sewer run when that becomes the trade off, as it sometimes has. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 El Sobrante CA "aeonix1@mac.com" |
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04-13-2008, 14:00
Post: #4
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50a electrical plugs?
Ryan, I have a 50 amp 36 ft. cord for sale that I'll be glad to talk to you about or you can see a picture on the WOO Classifieds (http://www.wanderlodge.us). Get in touch if you are interested.
Bruce - Webmaster
Wanderlodge Owners Online (919)872-7635 Cell: (919)740-8941
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04-13-2008, 15:01
Post: #5
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50a electrical plugs?
Ryan,
If you're talking about your home base, you might consider putting in a permanent 50amp outlet out by the coach. I had a long cord run that compromised voltage. It was a 30 amp beside the house that was nearly 100 feet away. The electrician who wired my spa helped me put in a 50 amp outlet behind the house. We had to tunnel under a small sidewalk and a 10 foot alley but the rest of it was open trenching (I'm not really gifted at ditch-digging..but it saved some money). He brought over a concrete cylinderwith an iron manholecover. The outlet on the end of the romex cable is enclosed but not perfectly water tight. I placed the concrete manhole on top of a layer of bricks and ran a pool-cleaning hose 10 feet away for a makeshift drain.So far, no problems. Of course Itry to remember to cut it off at breaker box whenever I'm not using it. Yes, I spent about $600 on materials andalicensed electrician. But I have full voltage now and never have to string out 100 feet of cord down my driveway and across the alley.Even with a winding spool, it's a hassle taking up the cord..especially wnen it's hot, wet or cold. If you still want to useheavy cords, I'll share something the electrician said. The lighter weight cords of25 amps can stand up to the abuse of being run over without any trouble simply because of their small guage. The heavier the cord, the morelikely it is to be damaged that way. BradBarton00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...
More immediate than e-mail? Get instant access with Windows Live Messenger. |
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04-13-2008, 16:25
Post: #6
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50a electrical plugs?
be shure to keep 'the neutral' and 'the ground' unbonded (not linked
together) and true(seperate) in the cords, bus, and plug. here is a good link to RV electric http://www.myrv.us/electric/ |
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04-13-2008, 23:49
Post: #7
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50a electrical plugs?
Bruce,
I am john redden in NC. I have interest in 50A cord however do not want to get in front of Ryan.
Contact me at "jvredden@aol.com" or 704-6643121
I understand I am second in line and have no intention or desire to displace Ryan should he want it.
john redden It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money Finance. |
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04-14-2008, 05:12
Post: #8
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50a electrical plugs?
Thank you for all of the replies.
Ernie: Re-using the original ends to make a longer cord is a good idea. I may go ahead and do that. Pete: You said, "The 50 amp plug is a range plug." That end is easy - I'm looking for the other end, the part that goes into the bird. Appears to be a fairly standard 50 amp twist-lock except the ones I've found have too thick an exterior body to fit! Does anyone know where I can find a new one of these ends? Also, you asked what my concern is: I'm using a 50 amp extension cord and don't want to, that basically sums it up. I'd rather have one single cord that's long enough (50 feet) to get where I need to be. Brad: I do have a permanent 50 amp outlet for the coach. Unfortunately, when I park the coach the way I like it, the outlet is near the front passenger side. So, I need a 50 foot cord to reach all the way back and across to the coach's power input. I've considered moving the outlet and still might go that route, but a long cord seems easier. Bruce: I sent a private email on the cord you're selling. Thanks again, everyone. -Ryan '86 PT-40 8V92 |
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04-14-2008, 05:33
Post: #9
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50a electrical plugs?
Ryan, I don't know a thing about the 50A connectors but having just
been thru this with my 30A hook up I can tell you that a lot of them look almost the same. Pretty much drove me nuts trying to find a fix for my situation. Just don't assume because it looks right that it is. I understand what you are saying too about being too thick to fit. My 30A connect housing was just off a little bit. I was able to modify my situation by a little judicial grinding with a dremel tool on both the housing and the plug and make it work. I then glued some pieces together to get myself into a situation where I can use a standard over the counter connector. Why does it always have to be so difficult? I have found this to be typical working on RV's nothing transfers directly from automotive or housing parts. Might be good reasons for this but I get aggravated when I go to Lowe's and they have ten different plugs and connectors similar to what you need but none will work. Had same problems when I replaced the kitchen sink and faucets. It's a test of your ingenuity or at least it has been for me. John Heckman central Pa 1973 FC > > Thank you for all of the replies. > > Ernie: Re-using the original ends to make a longer cord is a good > idea. I may go ahead and do that. > > Pete: You said, "The 50 amp plug is a range plug." That end is easy - > I'm looking for the other end, the part that goes into the bird. > Appears to be a fairly standard 50 amp twist-lock except the ones I've > found have too thick an exterior body to fit! Does anyone know where I > can find a new one of these ends? > > Also, you asked what my concern is: I'm using a 50 amp extension cord > and don't want to, that basically sums it up. I'd rather have one > single cord that's long enough (50 feet) to get where I need to be. > > Brad: I do have a permanent 50 amp outlet for the coach. > Unfortunately, when I park the coach the way I like it, the outlet is > near the front passenger side. So, I need a 50 foot cord to reach all > the way back and across to the coach's power input. I've considered > moving the outlet and still might go that route, but a long cord seems > easier. > > Bruce: I sent a private email on the cord you're selling. > > Thanks again, everyone. > > -Ryan > '86 PT-40 8V92 > |
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04-14-2008, 05:44
Post: #10
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50a electrical plugs?
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
Ryan Have you tryed West Marine? > > Thank you for all of the replies. > > Ernie: Re-using the original ends to make a longer cord is a good > idea. I may go ahead and do that. > > Pete: You said, "The 50 amp plug is a range plug." That end is easy - > I'm looking for the other end, the part that goes into the bird. > Appears to be a fairly standard 50 amp twist-lock except the ones I've > found have too thick an exterior body to fit! Does anyone know where I > can find a new one of these ends? > > Also, you asked what my concern is: I'm using a 50 amp extension cord > and don't want to, that basically sums it up. I'd rather have one > single cord that's long enough (50 feet) to get where I need to be. > > Brad: I do have a permanent 50 amp outlet for the coach. > Unfortunately, when I park the coach the way I like it, the outlet is > near the front passenger side. So, I need a 50 foot cord to reach all > the way back and across to the coach's power input. I've considered > moving the outlet and still might go that route, but a long cord seems > easier. > > Bruce: I sent a private email on the cord you're selling. > > Thanks again, everyone. > > -Ryan > '86 PT-40 8V92 > |
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