cremevette
NE Ohio
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At the place I store my TT, I plug into a 20 amp gfci outlet. It's about 75 feet away and to this point I have been using a series of extension cords, some regular duty, some heavy duty. I can't eliminate the 75 foot distance, but I think I should switch to a single extension cord.
A friend of mine says to get 10 gauge/30 amp cord to match what is in the TT. I thought that might be overkill. If I only have 20 amps at the outlet, why not run a single 12 gauge/15 amp extension cord to the TT? All I want to do is charge the battery, pre-cool the fridge, and run a couple lights.
There's a tremendous price difference here. I'm not going to spend more if it's over the top.
Thoughts?
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thomasinnv
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as long as you don't plan on running the ac, a regular duty extension chord like a 12/3 would be fine. no need to go heavier, they can get really expensive.
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JFG
TN
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Thomas is right... for 75ft you can use a number 12/3.
Fred
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Learjet
Louisiana
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thomasinnv wrote:as long as you don't plan on running the ac, a regular duty extension chord like a 12/3 would be fine. no need to go heavier, they can get really expensive.
Ditto ^^^^
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pete42
Jamestown, Ohio
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Remember electricity through an extension cord is like water through a garden hose.
the power (voltage) like the water pressure is less at the end of a long run.
Low voltage can cause somethings not to work or not to work well.
I have a short 25 foot run here at my house I also have one of those plug-in voltage meters pluged into a 120 outlet.
normal stuff lights, fans, TV, radio even Fridg work ok but if I kick on the AC the voltage reading drops below 120 volts.
so just be aware of what a long run can do.
PETE
* This post was
edited 08/07/08 09:20am by pete42 *
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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pete42 wrote:Remember electricity through an extension cord is like water through a garden hose
the power (voltage) like the water pressure is less at the end of a long run
Agree but if you are not runnig A/C or MW you will be fine with a 12-3 and save a buch of $$$$ 
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pete42
Jamestown, Ohio
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tvman44 wrote:pete42 wrote:Remember electricity through an extension cord is like water through a garden hose
the power (voltage) like the water pressure is less at the end of a long run
Agree but if you are not runing A/C or MW you will be fine with a 12-3 and save a bunch of $$$$
Absolutely keep the $$$ in your pocket not wal*mart.
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cremevette
NE Ohio
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We're all in agreement. I'll keep the energy use down, and put the money toward "brown pop" or more camping days. Thanks, friends!
A different question ... is there a meter I can plug into the system that gauges my amp consumption at any given time? I have a volt meter, but it would be nice to know what load I'm trying to pull.
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Get the regular cord. You're not planning on running anything that draws too much. Good luck!
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dalenoel
Howell, Michigan
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When you get into clamp-on amp meters it can get expensive. I have a recording one that cost around $1,000 but you can get others alot less. Here is one for only $75.
Recording what the voltage is will give you a good idea day by day.
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