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cor4743's avatar
cor4743
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015

power cord plug melting

Ifound the 50 amp power cord for my 5th wheel to be too heavy and awkward, so I bought a pigtail adapter that attaches to the trailer, that allows me to use a 30 amp extension cord, to plug into the power pole at rv parks. After some time I found the plug on the 30 amp cord started to appear like it got too hot and shows signs of melting. I replaced the melted female plug on the cord with a new one, but it is also getting hot.the male end at the post is also getting hot.

An rv tech told me today, that the melting is caused by using the 30 amp cord, and would not occur if I used the factory supplied 50 amp cord. However, if I use the 50 amp cord, I would still have to use a 30 amp pigtail adapter at the post, because I rarely see 50 amp recepticles at the rv parks I go to. Is the RV tech correct.

19 Replies

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  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2015
    Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    It sounds like he is plugging in to a 30A outlet. The 30A breaker (if there is one) would trip if he is drawing more power than his equipment is rated for. The real problem is likely high resistance at the plug due to either a burned plug or receptacle.


    My thought too. (It's happened to me!)


    Low voltage can result in burnt plugs also
  • Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
    Canadian_Rainbi
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2015
    Lynnmor wrote:
    It sounds like he is plugging in to a 30A outlet. The 30A breaker (if there is one) would trip if he is drawing more power than his equipment is rated for. The real problem is likely high resistance at the plug due to either a burned plug or receptacle.


    My thought too. (It's happened to me!)
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2015
    It sounds like he is plugging in to a 30A outlet. The 30A breaker (if there is one) would trip if he is drawing more power than his equipment is rated for. The real problem is likely high resistance at the plug due to either a burned plug or receptacle.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 15, 2015
    the electric water heater use, uses as much power as the A/C when running
    it might be cycling less, for less total power, but the in use power drain is just as many watts

    1500w of electric room heat vs 1500w water heater vs 1500w A/C
    its all the same to the power cord
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 15, 2015
    Have the same problem.. Replace the plug every few years.
  • cor4743's avatar
    cor4743
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    I seldom use the AC, only the microwave, lights, tv, and the hot water heater. Would that be enough to cause the melting.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Jul 15, 2015
    If your trying to run 50 amps worth of stuff on a 30 amp cord.. Yes it will melt... 2 AC's microwave...hair dryer.... Power conservation....
  • 3oaks's avatar
    3oaks
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    Yes.

    If you rarely see 50 amp receptacles, and have to use a 30A pigtail, the pigtail may get warm, but not nearly as hot as your 30Amp extension cord. Shorter run = less resistance.

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