A while back, I bought a 50 amp extension (around 25') cord. Tried it this weekend, and I had power to my air conditioning, microwave, and a few of the outlets. I did not have power to my electric hot water heater, and the majority of my outlets.Power works as normal if I run my built in generator, and it is fine without the extension cord. Replacement cords seem to be around $200. Any ideas or suggestions on how to fix the cord? It shows no wear, is in great condition.

Is it really the cord? Or one leg of your breaker? Start there.

If not one leg on the breaker box then use a meter to verify correct voltages at pedestal. Once stayed at a campground that offered 50 amp but when metered only had voltage on one leg.

Seems to me that it MUST be the cord. Everything works without the extension. Everything works when I run my generator.

if i read your post right you have normal power all the time *except* when using the extension cord? if that's the case then there would seem to be a problem with that cord. i'd start by running a continuity check on that cord using a volt-ohm meter. sounds like the wiring forcone leg of the new cord is not connected and the continuity check should confirm that.

If you own an RV you must on a Multi-meter and know how to use it. Youtube is your friend.

Problem with 50 amp cord | Good Sam Community

joelc
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2020
If as you say the cord is an "extension" cord which is attached to your existing 50A cord you are running as a guess close to 50' of cord between the RV and the outlet. I don't know what the reliability of the post is, but you might have a serious Amperage drop due to the cords length which is affecting the appliance.
wolfe10
Explorer
Jul 27, 2020
With a digital volt/ohm meter, very easy to diagnose:

Check CG outlet:

Outer straights are HOT
Center straight is NEUTRAL
Center round is GROUND

So either outer to either center= 120 VAC
Outer straight to outer straight= 240 VAC
Center round to center straight= 0 VAC

To diagnose the cord-- both ends unplugged. VOM set to OHMS:

Check for continuity between the cord ends.

Absolutely no need to guess or speculate.
jdc1
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2020
Gotta ask....how many outlets have you tried using this cord on?
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 27, 2020
Detachable cord only has three female contacts, the fourth is on the outside for the ground. Male end is four prong.
50 amp cord
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2020
enblethen wrote:
Detachable cord only has three female contacts, the fourth is on the outside for the ground. Male end is four prong.
50 amp cord
I would think an extension cord would not have the external ground since it connects to the OEM cord that is plugged into the trailer.

As to the original problem, a couple minutes with a VOM will determine if there is an issue with the extension cord.
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 27, 2020
We do not know what cord the OP has purchased. Yes, a proper extension cord for 50 amp would have four openings on the female end. Cord should be able to be plugged into it self.
OP:
Please post photo or part number of the cord you purchased.
dougrainer
Nomad
Jul 27, 2020
joelc wrote:
If as you say the cord is an "extension" cord which is attached to your existing 50A cord you are running as a guess close to 50' of cord between the RV and the outlet. I don't know what the reliability of the post is, but you might have a serious Amperage drop due to the cords length which is affecting the appliance.

CORRECT 50 amp extension cords will not have much of voltage/amp drop. The GAUGE of the wires inside the 50 amp extension cord matches the gauge of the SUPPLY from the CG. Most QUALITY 50 amp extension cords will have 6 or 8 gauge wires. If you are paying LESS than $150, you are not getting quality. Doug
BB_TX
Nomad
Jul 27, 2020
joelc wrote:
If as you say the cord is an "extension" cord which is attached to your existing 50A cord you are running as a guess close to 50' of cord between the RV and the outlet. I don't know what the reliability of the post is, but you might have a serious Amperage drop due to the cords length which is affecting the appliance.

25’ power cord plus 25’ extension of 8 ga wire equals 50’ of cord running 50 amps equals voltage drop of about 4 volts. 120 vac source minus 4 volts equals 116 operating voltage. Not a problem.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2020
Ok while continunity tests. End to end. WILL show if one of the wires is "Open" (Bad connection) the problem is they do not show which end is not connected.
Either resonance tests or capacitance tests on the "Bad" wire will. But not all know how to read the meter and not all meters can do those tests.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2020
Depending on the construction of the cord, if the continuity is bad, cut the ends off, or take them apart. If one end is bad, the other may not be any better, and who knows, maybe the wire is broken in the middle.

Forum Discussion

Problem with 50 amp cord

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Extension cords

Extension Cord

rv extension cord

50Amp Power Cord

Power Cord Question