50a electrical plugs?

[Pete Masterson]

On Apr 13, 2008, at 6:35 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

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 <snip>

The 50 amp plug is a "range plug", so check at a well-stocked home center. Connecter designs vary.

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.

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.)

<http://www.campingworld.com/browse/produ...2&src=SRQB>

This one's cheaper, but only has a connector on one end

<http://www.rvpartscenter.com/ProductDeta...CategoryID>

Amazon.com also has listings (30' for $150).

<http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_seeall...automotive>

3. <snip>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.<snip>

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"