What gauge extension cord?

Why waste money on a 30 amp or even a very heavy 10/3 extension cord when it is not needed to keep the fridge running. This is wasteful and I have never found wasting resources to be good behavior for any reason.

If a fridge will run on 108 to 132 volts as Redsky mentioned then why put in a super duty cord to get 119 volts instead of a much lighter and more compact and less expensive 14/3 cord that provides 116 volts.

I use a 30 amp cord that is 15 feet long at campgrounds and use it to power an AC as well as a microwave and the fridge, but that is not the same as a 100 foot cord to hook into a house outlet to run a fridge overnight. Maybe time to get a little perspective.

I run my MH at home, in storage, off a 100' 16Ga extension. All I do is keep the batteries charged, run the odd LED light, run the refer before leaving on a trip, occasionally run the water pump. Normally the voltage in the MH is 120-121v. I tried running the AC once and the voltage only dropped down to 105v. Haven't run it since. Haven't bothered to use a heavier wire.

Short story about Direct Sunlight and cords.....

I used to have a custom made 30 amp extension cord 8ga I think 75 foot, plus some other 30 amp cords.. Used them in a chain to provide power for two stations at a Radio Club Field day event, Both stations were 100 watt transmitters, Total power draw between them was on the order of five amps.

When the event was finished and it was time to roll up the cord for storage I'd like to have burned my hand on the casing it was that hot.. So i put on gloves and coiled it up.. Till I got to the part that was in the shade.. Took the gloes off and that part of the cable was quite cool.. ALL the heat was from the sun, NONE from current draw (Well what do you expect pulling 4 amps on wire rated for fifty).

I use a Genturi on the motor home when I provide 24 hours of power like that.. Normally, I can, after hours of operating, Take the genturi off without using gloves, Even if the Genny is still running,, I do admit I use protection when I pull the pipes apart at the bottom (no flesh to metal contact till I've walked half way around the motor home).

ONE day the black pipe needed gloves.. Again.. Sunlight was the issue.

Costco has a 100' 12/3 for $40. Prior to that they had a twin pack of 50' 12/3 cords for $40. That's what I use when plugging in my TT to 15A outlets, 50' 12/3 I also carry the 100' one. It doesn't get warm unless left in direct sunlight. :)

Just powering the fridge and converter off a 15 amp standard duplex outlet.

12/3 is what I use, you won't have any problems with 12/3 in open air.

Powering air conditioners.. you gonna need bigger wire. (or water heater).

but converter and Fridge only (A few lights and TV do not count) 12/3 will do it.


One place I use 12/3.. I pull the plug on my converter (it is a 20 amp plug in module) and using an adapter run it, and only it on 12/3 (It only draws about 10 - 12 amps peak) then run TV and other stuff off batteries.. NO A/C or electric fridge or water heater of course, but everything ELSE works. Fridge and water heater burn Propane if needed.

APT wrote:
I doubt the wiring in your house is 10 gauge.

x2 ... a house or storage yard with 15a outlets isn't going to have them wired with 10 gauge wire, so why add the expense of a 100 ft 10 gauge extension cord.

Get a good heavy-duty contractor orange cord (12/3 will be the marking) and keep it with you in the trailer. it'll come in handy again sooner or later.

I doubt the wiring in your house is 10 gauge.

Go to Harbor Freight and get their 10/3 extension.

While contractor grade extension cords are less expensive than the rv 30 amp extension cord, why take a chance. Generally speaking the larger the guage the less loss over the distance. I would run it on propane and not worry about it unless I had the rv extension cord which is 10/3 that I have.

I use 10/3 contractor grade 50-foot extension cords... I also use the RV30A-15A long "DOGBONE" type adapter.

My trailer is connected to 15AMP style Garage Receptacle. My receptacles are fed by 12-gauge wire and 20AMP breakers in my garage. The receptacle I am plugged into in the garage was installed for a Air Compressor setup and has nothing else on its circuit. Perfect for the RV...

I can run just about everything in the RV Trailer. I cannot run the Air Conditioner the same time I run the Microwave otherwise it trips the garage 20AMP breaker.

Roy Ken