My FW has a 50A 25' cord. I also have an electric cord reel mounted to the ceiling of a bin which is handy. However, the port for the FW electric is on the sidewall of the RV about 2'away from the bin where it's stored. But if the CG pedestal is only a few feet away, I still have to unwind the entire cord. Is there a way to wind the cord so that I don't need to unwind it completely every single time? Seems like if the engineers though this trough they would would put the power port next to the cord reel inside the bin so you could leave the RV end attached to the FW and just unwind what you need to plug in. I can't double up a few feet of cord as the reel wouldn't be able to handle it, not to mention bending the cord itself.

Is the cord reel OEM, or did you add it yourself?

fj12ryder wrote:Is the cord reel OEM, or did you add it yourself?OEM

Consider that when heavily loaded you're better off having the whole cord unrolled anyway for heat reasons.Is the reel mounted by one side only? If so maybe you could feed a few feet through the side. Then after you spool off what you need, grab that end and plug it into the RV port.

wnjj wrote:Consider that when heavily loaded you're better off having the whole cord unrolled anyway for heat reasons.Is the reel mounted by one side only? If so maybe you could feed a few feet through the side. Then after you spool off what you need, grab that end and plug it into the RV port.It's mounted in the ceiling next to the wall, so no accessing the left side. The right side has the control button. Not a lot of room to move it. It's not a huge deal, just thought maybe I was missing some trick or tip to allowing me to do what I want. It is helpful in winding it up and getting it up out of the way. I am sure higher end models have the power source in the reel itself. I've seen some on Newmars that allow you to pay out only as much cord as you need, but I think the connection to the RV is permanent in the reel itself. Mine is nothing more than an electric cord winder.

For heat reasons, you’re better off unwinding the whole reel anyway.

Speaking of rolling up power cords | Good Sam Community

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 08, 2021
I have seen (I even own one) Retractable extension cords.

I also have some devices to roll up a standard cord
I once used a 12ga cord still coiled on the reel. to run a computer. Perhaps 3-5 amps total. the coil was rather warm when mains power was restored and we unplugged it (The office had ONE work station on E-Power so we shared to other Work Stations.

I would NOT recommend using a coiled cord unless it is a very large coil and in open air. So pull it out all the way and "S" snake it if you can or coil in like 3-6 feet diamater loops.

And yes I know why (inductive heating same as my favorite kitchen burner)
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Jul 08, 2021
dedmiston wrote:
Does anyone else appreciate the irony of this question considering the OP's user name?

:B
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 08, 2021
way2roll wrote:
nickthehunter wrote:
For heat reasons, you’re better off unwinding the whole reel anyway.

Makes sense.

Thanks for the replies.

Sometimes I borrow trouble solving a problem that doesn't exist.

When in weather where I will be running the AC I always fully extend the power reel cord and lay it in a random pattern, NOT coiled.
way2roll
Navigator II
Jul 08, 2021
dedmiston wrote:
Does anyone else appreciate the irony of this question considering the OP's user name?

LOL.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jul 08, 2021
Does anyone else appreciate the irony of this question considering the OP's user name?
Puddles
Explorer
Jul 08, 2021
nickthehunter wrote:
For heat reasons, you’re better off unwinding the whole reel anyway.

Good comment **
way2roll
Navigator II
Jul 07, 2021
nickthehunter wrote:
For heat reasons, you’re better off unwinding the whole reel anyway.

Makes sense.

Thanks for the replies.

Sometimes I borrow trouble solving a problem that doesn't exist.
nickthehunter
Nomad III
Jul 07, 2021
For heat reasons, you’re better off unwinding the whole reel anyway.
way2roll
Navigator II
Jul 07, 2021
wnjj wrote:
Consider that when heavily loaded you're better off having the whole cord unrolled anyway for heat reasons.

Is the reel mounted by one side only? If so maybe you could feed a few feet through the side. Then after you spool off what you need, grab that end and plug it into the RV port.

It's mounted in the ceiling next to the wall, so no accessing the left side. The right side has the control button. Not a lot of room to move it. It's not a huge deal, just thought maybe I was missing some trick or tip to allowing me to do what I want.

It is helpful in winding it up and getting it up out of the way. I am sure higher end models have the power source in the reel itself. I've seen some on Newmars that allow you to pay out only as much cord as you need, but I think the connection to the RV is permanent in the reel itself. Mine is nothing more than an electric cord winder.
wnjj
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2021
Consider that when heavily loaded you're better off having the whole cord unrolled anyway for heat reasons.

Is the reel mounted by one side only? If so maybe you could feed a few feet through the side. Then after you spool off what you need, grab that end and plug it into the RV port.