50a electrical plugs?

[erniecarpet@...]

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!!!

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[Ryan Wright]

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

[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"

[Bruce Morris]

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

----- Original Message -----

From: "ryanpwright@gmail.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 9:35 PM

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 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

[brad barton]

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@...

---

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: ryanpwright@...
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:35:45 -0700
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 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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[Gregory OConnor]

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/

[jvredden@...]

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

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[Ryan Wright]

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

[bubblerboy64]

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
>

[robert nloomas]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:

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
>