sazz1269
MICHIGAN
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My 08 Monaco Knight has 50amp hookup. I'm going to use it at a family reunion this summer and can plug into 120 in a pole barn of my relative's. I have a household extension cord and not sure if that will take as much as the coach can handle. I know I'll have to change my setting to 20 amps but I'm wondering do I buy a contractor grade heavy duty 12 guage extension cord or is a household variety going to be good enough to use the pole barn as shore power.
I know I can't run AC or W/D and I can put water heater on LP and same with fridge. But for general lighting, TV, etc, will a stanard guage extension cord that I would use in my house be adequate or should I get the heavy duty models I can buy a Home Depot?
I suppose with I park in the winter and want to run some power to the MH during the winter to keep batteries charged, I'd use the same cord. So any suggestions?
Mike in Michigan
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JFG
TN
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Joined: 07/01/2007
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Less than 50 ft can be 14 ga. If over 50, go to 12 ga
Fred
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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20 Amp circuits are 12 Ga. and under 50ft.
Get the shorts cord that will work, and min of 12 ga. You can take with you when you leave. Good Luck and happy camping. Also check the recepticale, you will often find it is a 15 amp receptical on a 20 amp circuit. If it gets warm, it's overloaded. JM2Cents Bill
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zigzagrv
Nazareth, PA
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Ordinary, cheap household extension cords are usually 16 ga. I would use a 12 ga cord, and should be able to run even your A/C on 20 amps.
Ron
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VintageRacer
Dundas, Ontario
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The 120 volt supply in the pole barn will probably be 15 amps. The plug for 20 amps at 120 volts has one of the spade terminals turned sideways. I'd get a 15 amp, 12 Ga 100 ft extension and try that.
Brian
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Kenneth
Washington, the state
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The difference between contractor grade #12/3 extension cord and homeowner grade #12/3 is probably the toughness of the outer insulation. Do get #12/3. Do take a good look at the receptacle you'll plug into. If the cord plugs in loose, or if it just doesn't look shipshape, do them a favor and install a 20 amp receptacle for them. It'll cost about $2.50 vs. the 49ยข 15 amp receptacle too often used. A 20 amp receptacle has a "T" shaped slot.
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MELM
GA
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Another vote for 12/3 cord. If you go over 50 feet, you might want to get one of the cord reels to store it.
Here is a link to a post I did a few years ago that gives voltage drops for various cords with a 15 amp load (the maximum rating of the standard 3 pin plugs even though the circuit breaker for the duplex receptacle may be 20 amps): Extension Cord Ratings.
And, with your 50 amp RV, you might find one of these handy: 15M to 50M adapter.
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smkettner
Southern CA
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sazz1269 wrote:I know I can't run AC or W/D and I can put water heater on LP and same with fridge. But for general lighting, TV, etc, will a stanard guage extension cord that I would use in my house be adequate or should I get the heavy duty models I can buy a Home Depot?
With a #12 cord I see no reason you cannot run one air unit as long as the battery is charged and all other high draw items are kept off. The energy management should keep you from over loading. Watch voltage in the RV stays above 110 when the air is on and running.
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sazz1269
MICHIGAN
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You guys are awesome. This website never ceases to amaze me.
This one I found on campingworld.com. Opinions?
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=24485&src=SRQB
or copy this into your browser.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=24485&src=SRQB
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kgmz
Portland, OR and Eatonville, WA
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Joined: 10/09/2001
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I didn't see what the distance was that you have to run this cord.
So how long does the extension cord have to be and what is the length of the 50 amp cord that is hooked to your motorhome?
Why ask about the length of the motorhome cord. Because this length will also have a bearing in the total run when you calculate the amps that a extension cord can carry. If your 50 amp cord is 30 ft long, no way you should use a 14 gauge 25 ft cord if drawing even only 15 amps.
Being a General Contractor I have a wide variety of extension cords that I can use. I also have some RV specific cords.
We have 2 25ft 30 amp, and 1 50ft 30 amp cords for our motorhome. I also have some 100ft 10 gauge cords with normal 20 amp ends I can use from our work stock.
Since you some time until you need this cord, look for a sale at Camping World. They have them on sale periodically, and we bought our cord for a good price somehting like $28 for the 25 ft and $49 for the 50ft. The 50 amp cords are more money but this way you will have one when you need that little bit extra when camping and nee the full 50 amps.
As for the regular 10 gauge cord. I bought the 100 footers at Home Depot for $69.
And since you have a nice new $200,000 motorhome spend a hundred bucks and get a good quality large gauge cord and adapters.
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