Forum Discussion

happy-2's avatar
happy-2
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014

50 amp power cord

I would like to cut my 50 amp power cord down to 15 ft,and use the extra for a extension cord if i need it ,is there a disadvantage of doing that?

8 Replies

  • Happy 2, My 50 amp cord is in it's own storage bay! I bought one of those orange 5 gallon buckets at Home Depot. I store my plug in adapters in that bucket along with all my different size TV cable. I wrapped the 50 amp cord around the orange bucket and it stays nice and uniform and is no trouble to me unreeling the cord length as needed.
  • Cutting it down to a 15' cord......take it that 15' is all you need where you are plugged in and that the 'extension cord' would be used where necessary.

    So cut away and make 2 cords.

    Shorter cord will be lighter/easier to handle
    The 2 cords together will be same as original cord except for the 2 new plugs/connections.
    2 new plugs/connections not a big issue........even seen a 50A cord connected to a 50A/30A adapter connected to a 30A/15A adapter OR a 50A cord connected to a 50A portable surge guard connected to a 50A/30A adapter plugged into a power pedestal? :B

    I have.....my 5vr and had no issues cause all plug/connections were clean/tight
  • One disadvantage is another connection that will be exposed to rain and dirt, since it will not be inside the shore power box or inside the coach/at a watertight connection at the coach.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    alkillion wrote:
    Probably just a minor voltage drop because of the extra connector. I cut mine to 4' and installed a power cord reel in the bay. Use the rest as an extension cord.


    Agreed.. Here is some history:

    I drive a 50 amp rig, When it was new I got a short 30 amp shore cord, this thing had a TT-30 plug and a Marinco 50 amp outlet adn was like a foot long.. (Camping world sells it) used that on 30 amps till eventually the plug and extension cord socket melted down (30 amp pairs do that) then I spliced the lines.

    The reason I like this, way easier to wrangle the winter grade extension cord than the big 50 amp cord.

    IF your RV has a hard wired cord (Mine has a Marinco inlet/outlet pair or, if you like a detachable cord) then doing as you plan is a very good idea. The only concern I'd have is this.

    If you cut the shore cord to 4 feet, and if that means the plug will lie on the ground, I do not like outlets lying on the ground.

    I would consider some kind of device to lift it a bit. Just in case it rains.
  • I am confused about why you would want to cut the cord if you are going to make an extension cord from the excess?

    I mounted a hose reel in my bay and wrap the cord around it when I travel. Upon arrival and plug in I uncoil what I need to get to the power supply.

    GGeorge
  • No disadvantage that I can tell. You can buy standard 50 amp plug and connector body at a hardware store. It will allow you to use the shorter and now lighter cord most of the time, then bring out the extension cord as needed. Hopefully you will only need one cord most of the time, or it defeats the reason for cutting it.

    Good luck!

    Fred.
  • Probably just a minor voltage drop because of the extra connector. I cut mine to 4' and installed a power cord reel in the bay. Use the rest as an extension cord.