Problem with 50 amp cord

Gotta ask....how many outlets have you tried using this cord on?

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.

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.

Are you positive it is a 50 amp extension cord? Does it have 4 prongs and 4 female inserts? I think you have answered your question---The cord is defective. Doug

From your description it does sound like the extension cord. Sounds like either a broken wire or a bad wire connection in one of the connector ends. If no visible damage then likely a manufacturing defect. If it has molded connectors on each end, then the only repair option is to cut those off and replace with new connectors.

If this is a detachable cord, I would check the connections in the twist lock end. It is more likely to be bad connection then a bad cord. Ends are available.

I would contact the supplier of the extension cord. Maybe they have a known problem and will take care of you even if has been a while. Otherwise if the connectors are not molded on you can remove check for a disconnected wire.

Sounds like they messed up the connections at either the plug or outlet end of the cord. Now as it happens I have a way to tell which. but it is a product designed for other use (Antenna Analyzer) but the only way I know of to fix the cord is to replace the faulty end. Problem is deciding which end it is.
Oh a multi meter that reads capacitance may do it too
The good end if you measure legs to ground or legs to neutral will have a higher capacitance but I don't know if it will be enough to notice. The bad end the two legs will show different capacitance.

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

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.