power cord size?

I'll add one more thing to this extremely worn out thread.
You do not ever need to run a large cable all the way to the end of a run cause' you can do the math and run from large to small. I have in the past ran a large wire ,say a #8 and then tapped it with a #12 for drops along the way. Voltage drop isn't figured by the smallest drop but by its parts.

smkettner wrote:
I would not cobble multiple extension cords to run an air conditioner 125' away.

SoundGuy wrote:
Cobble? :h Isn't that what I just described is an everyday occurrence here in the Ontario provincial park system where it's not unusual at all to find the campsite service post 100' or more from where the trailer is parked? The OP has described this as a one time event, he's hardly going to put any $$$ into a special installation for that. Run the cable, monitor the source voltage and ensuing voltage drop, and if it's over 104 vac under load don't worry about it ... just what I do whenever I camp here in Ontario. ;)

smkettner wrote:
Yes. I do not recommend three random extension cords extended out 125' to run the air conditioner in an RV to be monitored by a guest.

How would we know if they are #12, #14 or even #16 wire?

How old and abused are the connectors?

Three random cords from my garage would be a disaster. Might need four...

What in the world does this have to do with grabbing "random" 12, 14, or "even" 16 gauge cables from one's garage? :h The OP said very clearly in his very first post -

"I had to move my 5th wheel approx. 125 ft. from a power source on my property. I have some large guage power cords. What size would I need to run my 11.5 AC for all day?"

Furthermore, I said myself - "All we know is he wants to temporarily locate his rig 125' from it's normal source feed and for that I'd suggest he run the necessary length of 10 gauge, monitor the source voltage under load, and if it's above 104 vac then that will suffice for the purpose he has in mind. If he doesn't have sufficient 30 amp / 10 gauge cable (and if necessary a 50/30 dogbone) perhaps he can borrow these items to get him through this brief scenario."

No where has anyone, myself included, suggested just grabbing light weight cable from one's garage and just "cobbling" it together. Talk about distorting what was actually said! :S

SoundGuy wrote:

smkettner wrote:
I would not cobble multiple extension cords to run an air conditioner 125' away.

Cobble? :h Isn't that what I just described is an everyday occurrence here in the Ontario provincial park system where it's not unusual at all to find the campsite service post 100' or more from where the trailer is parked? The OP has described this as a one time event, he's hardly going to put any $$$ into a special installation for that. Run the cable, monitor the source voltage and ensuing voltage drop, and if it's over 104 vac under load don't worry about it ... just what I do whenever I camp here in Ontario. ;)

Yes. I do not recommend three random extension cords extended out 125' to run the air conditioner in an RV to be monitored by a guest.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cobble

How would we know if they are #12, #14 or even #16 wire?

How old and abused are the connectors?

Three random cords from my garage would be a disaster. Might need four...

I Have never encountered 100' reach at an RV park. I do carry 50' of #10 30a RV extension cord. If 100' was common that is what I would carry. Probably need to make my own custom cord.

And at the same time you are correct the cords might work but monitor the voltage. Still I don't recommend it.

smkettner wrote:
I would not cobble multiple extension cords to run an air conditioner 125' away.

SoundGuy wrote:
Cobble? :h Isn't that what I just described is an everyday occurrence here in the Ontario provincial park system where it's not unusual at all to find the campsite service post 100' or more from where the trailer is parked? The OP has described this as a one time event, he's hardly going to put any $$$ into a special installation for that. Run the cable, monitor the source voltage and ensuing voltage drop, and if it's over 104 vac under load don't worry about it ... just what I do whenever I camp here in Ontario. ;)

My comments were certainly not "off topic" as this entire discussion relates to cable gauge, length of cable run, and resultant voltage drop. "Useless trivia" - Ha Ha, nice stretch but no cigar for you. :W "Cobbling" cable as smkettner warned against is exactly what the OP is intending to do, 'cause as he stated in his original post he already has "some large gauge power cords" (his words). It's also what I and everyone else who camps in the Ontario provincial park system often has to do, whether you or anyone else approves or not. :R

tomman58 wrote:
To what level 6%???? Only if you want to do this permanently not for temp. Besides all you folks that figure this stuff in the real world of "just make it work for the weekend" are not from this world.I've seen 150Amps run on #6 for temp in air.

Let's not turn a molehill into a mountain ... the OP has described this as a one time event, for the convenience of his guests. All we know is he has a 5th but we don't know if it's wired for 50 amp main service or just 30, or whether the feed he normally uses at his house to power his rig is 50 or 30. All we know is he wants to temporarily locate his rig 125' from it's normal source feed and for that I'd suggest he run the necessary length of 10 gauge, monitor the source voltage under load, and if it's above 104 vac then that will suffice for the purpose he has in mind. If he doesn't have sufficient 30 amp / 10 gauge cable (and if necessary a 50/30 dogbone) perhaps he can borrow these items to get him through this brief scenario. No need to make it any more complicated than this. :R

Gau 8 wrote:

prichardson wrote:
#6 for 20 amp #4 for 30 is normal wiring recommendations in electrical codes.

puzzling.

I use #12 for 20A and #10 for 30A.

yes, i wonder where he got those numbers, he must be thinking of 12v solar and voltage drop

has nothing to do with the real rated current/amps capacity of the wire

NEC for 120v/240/480 is 6ga 50amp , 8ga 40amp, 10ga 30amp , 12ga 20amp, 14ga 14 amp
this is residential and commercial/industrial for wires contained in conduit, where the heat IS NOT going to dissipate

please do not confuse 12v charging voltage drop, with AC power ratings
those are different things

big wire for solar is not about the amps, its about eliminating even the smallest voltage drop, 1v drop on 120v means nothing to your coffee maker, 1v drop on your Solar or converter charge circuit, means your batteries could take days to reach full charge

meganjoe wrote:

Gau 8 wrote:

prichardson wrote:
#6 for 20 amp #4 for 30 is normal wiring recommendations in electrical codes.

puzzling.

I use #12 for 20A and #10 for 30A.

True but after 100' you have to factor in voltage drop..

Joe

To what level 6%???? Only if you want to do this permanently not for temp. Besides all you folks that figure this stuff in the real world of "just make it work for the weekend" are not from this world.I've seen 150Amps run on #6 for temp in air.

Gau 8 wrote:

prichardson wrote:
#6 for 20 amp #4 for 30 is normal wiring recommendations in electrical codes.

puzzling.

I use #12 for 20A and #10 for 30A.

True but after 100' you have to factor in voltage drop..

Joe

prichardson wrote:
#6 for 20 amp #4 for 30 is normal wiring recommendations in electrical codes.

puzzling.

I use #12 for 20A and #10 for 30A.

smkettner wrote:
I would not cobble multiple extension cords to run an air conditioner 125' away.

Cobble? :h Isn't that what I just described is an everyday occurrence here in the Ontario provincial park system where it's not unusual at all to find the campsite service post 100' or more from where the trailer is parked? The OP has described this as a one time event, he's hardly going to put any $$$ into a special installation for that. Run the cable, monitor the source voltage and ensuing voltage drop, and if it's over 104 vac under load don't worry about it ... just what I do whenever I camp here in Ontario. ;)