Testing electric at home base

ependydad wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
I would upgrade that extension cord to a 12ga.. Most "Contractor" cords are 14 or 16.

Good point, I did spring for a 12ga extension cord. I didn't like the price for a 50' cord, but what can ya do?

In Taylor, MI and several other places there is a store "Ollie's Bargains" and last time I visited they had, I think a 40 foot 12ga. CHEEP.

I also have a 100' 12 ga that I paid a whole lot more for.

I cut the 40 footer into two lengths, roughly 2/3 - 1/3 and used 20 amp plugs and outlets to finish it off, (Oh I cut like six inches off to make an adapter for use inside the RV)

now the short cord is 20/20 the long cord is 15/20 (Fifteen amp male plug original on the cord) and the adapter is a special 20-15 for a space heater here in the RV.. The cord feeds a PSRV inspired breakout box (Plug and socket) this has 15 amp pulg as well but if I ever replace it I'll go to 20.

The plug end of this break out feeds both the special socket and the REAR Air conditioner (I figure if I need heat I do not need A/C) this way I can pick up the extra 20 amps on a 30 amp site (Where I'm parked now)

The long cord will plug into either a 15 or 15/20 amp duplex. the short one 15/20 only I also have a pair of 15/20 outlets (Each on it's own dedicated circuit breaker and fed with 12ga wire) for space heaters. Work well, No aroma of hot insulation like I got when the heater was plugged into a standard RV outlet

What is the difference between a 15 amp outlet and a 15/20?

On the 15/20 the NEUTRAL slot is "T" shaped

On the 15 amp plug the two blades that count are parallel
on the 20 the NEUTRAL is turned 90 degrees.

And that is the difference.

Yes.

Bobbo, I guess with the 30A Ext cord you would plug the 15/30 adapter directly into the outlet, then go from there with the 30A?

Actually, I would get a 10g 30 amp extension cord. You will probably need it at some point in your camping. It is as good to have as the 50 amp dogbone.

The reason it was recommended to turn off the converter is it can pull a LOT of amps if the batteries are at a low SOC (State of Charge). If the batteries are pretty well topped off, it is not necessary.

I agree with everyone else, there is nothing you can't run on that 15 amp circuit as long as you run them one at a time.

wa8yxm wrote:
I would upgrade that extension cord to a 12ga.. Most "Contractor" cords are 14 or 16.

Good point, I did spring for a 12ga extension cord. I didn't like the price for a 50' cord, but what can ya do?

I would upgrade that extension cord to a 12ga.. Most "Contractor" cords are 14 or 16. When I had a house the RV had a 20 amp feed. I could run ONE of the following with no problems

Space heater
Air conditioner
Microwave
Water heater

Firing up 2 might be possible but good chance of the click of darkness (Tripped breaker)

Most of those devices will also work on 15 amps.. Try it, with a 12ga cord though, and see if it trips the breaker. If not, you great, if it does and breaker is 15 amp, or other things on that circuit.. Well you figured it out.

Recommendation: IF you decide to have an electrician put in a proper RV circuit, make it 50 amps.. Less chance he will screw that up.

ok thanks....maybe rain will go away this pm and I can get started. Didn't really want to mess with the converter main unless absolutely necessary.

riven1950 wrote:
Ok, comments have generated one more question...Is it really necessary to turn off the converter to run the tests. Reason I ask is I have never turned it off, don't know where switch is. If I remember correctly it is kind of like a elect panel in a stick house with a bunch of breakers.

Yes, there should be a breaker for your converter.

However, I've never turned mine off while having the camper out front and I've ran the A/C. I agree with only 1 thing at a time (A/C or WH or vacuum (in our case) or ...). But I never considered nor worried about the converter and have yet to blow the breaker.

I do agree with Old-Biscuit- check the temperature of the adapter and cords. I personally prefer dogbone adapters than the puck style.

You pull the main. Nothing will work

Answers to questions above:
1- When I said " nothing but lights on now", what I meant was the circuit the 15A cord is plugged into has nothing running off it to draw a load. Just a light and camper. It is plugged in keeping battery up.
2-WH runs off electric and LP so it does have a element
3-The EMS is just that an EMS pt30c
4-Battery was charged with my portable charger and just reinstalled so should be up to full
5-will fill with water before testing WH
Ok, comments have generated one more question...Is it really necessary to turn off the converter to run the tests. Reason I ask is I have never turned it off, don't know where switch is. If I remember correctly it is kind of like a elect panel in a stick house with a bunch of breakers. Guess there is a main switch?
Thanks
5-