Electric extension cord - what kind?

When I was getting setup I happened on to two 50-foot (10/3) Construction Grade Heavy Duty "YELLOW" Extension cords at a YARD SALE... Best $25 (for both) I have spent in a long time...


Been running two trailer 50-foot drops on separate circuit breakers from the house/garage since 2009... No problems with heat being generated at the connections...

Also be sure you use the RV30A-15A LONG DOGBONE type adapters. The short round ones will generate heat on you right away and melt down your connections...


DO NOT USE THESE SMALL type RV30A-15A Adapters


This is what your DON'T want to happen

As expensive as those 10/3 extension cords are going to be no sense melting down the connections on them as well as your shore power plug...

We also use a RV120VAC PLUG-IN VOLTMETER inside the trailer in a good spot so it can viewed from time to time. This has the SAFE ZONE colored in a GREEN SCALE. If we see the AC LINE VOLTAGE outside the safe zone limits we will not turn on the air conditioner etc...

All photos from GOOGLE IMAGES

We use our setup when camping on the road as well... Have had many times the 15/20AMP Service has saved the day for us. Great for spending the night with the kids too. Just plug into their garage and sleep in the trailer.

A great PLAN B to have...

Roy ken

I bought a 100' 10/3 cord at Lowes for $90.
I even ran the A/C for my kids when they camped out in the back yard with friends.

A 15 amp outlet will go to a 15 amp breaker in the fuse box so you will be fine running a 20amp rated extension cord with a 15 amp adapter on it. If you draw more than 15 amps for any amount of time the 15 amp breaker in the breaker box will pop. So if you do not have access to the breaker box (Like at a school) be careful to not draw too much juice... like running a microwave and air conditioner. You will not be in any danger but the breaker will pop and you will not be able to reset it if you do not have access to it and you will not have any electricity for th rest of the night. You better plan for this eventuality as you will most likely pop an inacessible breaker atleast once.

If you are lucky and find a 20 amp outlet just remove the 15 amp adapter and you will be fine.

If you find a 30 amp outlet DO NOT use an adapter to run your 20 amp extension cord on a 30 amp circuit!!!! The 20 amp extension cord will heat up very hot, melt the insulation and start a fire!

If you buy a 30 amp rated extension cord you will be ready for any outlet you find, 15 amp, 20 amp or 30 amp with the appropriate adapter.

Great idea Jframpey. Thanks
And thanks to everybody for all replies. ;)

I would buy 2 50' cords... No need to have all of that cord strung out if not needed. And it'll cut down on voltage loss when you don't need the whole 100'.

Change the outlet for $6 or $20 GFI.

http://www.homedepot.com/s/20+amp+outlet?NCNI-5

Breaker might be 20 amp and you are in good shape.

If the main electric panel is close consider adding a regular 30a RV circuit and use a regular 30a RV extension cord.

Thanks for all replies. I am going to get 10/3 for sure. But what I understand is that every 20A cord has a a different plug than 15A. My TT is connected to my house now and it has regular 15A outlet I believe and everything works inside the TT: A/C, fridge, etc. So, to use an extension, should I get 20A and some sort of adapter?
Thanks

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10/3 should do just fine. Don't go any higher gauge than that, a lower gauge is even better, but you won't find them pre-made at Lowes.

If you choose 10/3, don't plan on running the A/C, fridge, microwave, water heater and everything else at the same time. Put the fridge and water heater on propane, and don't run a hairdryer with the A/C running. With a little trial and error, you'll find out what works for you.

Oh! Try to find a 20 Amp plug to connect to at your location. The extra 5 Amps over a 15 Amp plug are really needed, but a 15 Amp will work in a pinch, you'll just be able to run less stuff at once.

Hi Kuba,

Better get #8 wire. If plugging into a standard 15 amp circuit.

#6 would be even better, but a lot more costly.

You may need an autoformer if you plan on using the air conditioner.