50 amp Power Cord

30 or 50 amp?

I will assume 50 but this also applies to 30.. story follows (Short)

Home Depot Link

THe product says "Stays flexible in cold weather.

When I got my RV I also got a short TT-30 to 50 amp Marinco cord (like 1') and a 30 amp Super Flex cord (This one is bright colored (orange) not black) that does indeed coil up as easily as a lamp cord. Summer or winter (A very heavy lamp cord but still easy) I use this on 30 amp sites rather than wrangle the heavy 50 amp line.

But go to a big dealer CW or General RV or one of the big outfits PPL RV et-al) and ask Go in person.. Ask about not just how hard it is to coil up in the 72 degree store but in 32 degree campsite as well. I love that 30 amp; cord of mine.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I do not like what SOOW pure rubber does to copper when environmental temperatures of 30c are encountered over a long period of time. It takes years but shiny copper turning brown and purple is not something I wish to see. I blame the sulfur in the rubber for this. Also SOOW insulation exposed endlessly to sunshine UV or ozone will rot.

SOOW flexibility is superb but it's only fair to yank it's shorts down and expose its warts to scrutiny.

I have not done a price comparison between Marinco and POLAR wire but the latter is flexible to -55c

http://www.polarwire.com/pdfs/2-13.pdf

I have had my SOOW 50 amp power cord on my motorhome for about 12 years now and it is working fine still. One of the best mods I made. Much easier to coil up and uncoil, even in cold weather including Arizona heat and Ohio cold.

I do not like what SOOW pure rubber does to copper when environmental temperatures of 30c are encountered over a long period of time. It takes years but shiny copper turning brown and purple is not something I wish to see. I blame the sulfur in the rubber for this. Also SOOW insulation exposed endlessly to sunshine UV or ozone will rot.

SOOW flexibility is superb but it's only fair to yank it's shorts down and expose its warts to scrutiny.

I have not done a price comparison between Marinco and POLAR wire but the latter is flexible to -55c

http://www.polarwire.com/pdfs/2-13.pdf

Does the description list the material for the outer covering? Rubber is the most flexible (SOOW), thermoplastic is the stiffest one (STOOW). I am assuming that you are shopping online. If you are able to actually touch the cable, you can read the markings on it. SEOOW is the elastomer cover. That is not as flexible as the rubber, but is way better than the thermoplastic.

I do not see any type of cord listed on any of the premade ones. What do they typically use? Can anyone recommend a brand that may be cheaper than the Marinco and still flexible?

rhagfo wrote:

Made my own with SOOW 40’ fits in a 3 gallon bucket, even when cold.

Did the same when I needed a longer cord. That's when I researched the cable types.

STBRetired wrote:
Look for a Type SOOW or SEOOW cable. SOOW is the most flexible. If it is Type STOOW it will be quite stiff when cold. You can see the type of cable in the small print that runs along the cable.

Made my own with SOOW 40’ fits in a 3 gallon bucket, even when cold.

My old black 50 amp stiff cord was stolen. Bought a yellow Marinco 50 amp that is much more flexible when cold. Also bought a yellow 30 amp Marinco for when the park only has 30 amp service. That one is really easy.

Look for a Type SOOW or SEOOW cable. SOOW is the most flexible. If it is Type STOOW it will be quite stiff when cold. You can see the type of cable in the small print that runs along the cable.

Don't know anything about this, having a 30 amp TT. But they claim to be flexible