Electrical Extension Cords
I am a new travel trailer owner with no previous experience. I am looking for advice on what gauge extension cords I should purchase for electrical hook ups?
Forum Discussion
Depends really on your load. Will you run AirCon and Electric water heater and Electric fridge all at the same time when on the extension cord?
If yes, then 10 or 12g cord. the shorter the better.
Running AirCon on a 14g cord (small wire) will certainly work, but can put a strain on the aircon motor when the cord gets hot, it will, and the amps start to drop, even cold the cord will struggle to supply the needed amps. The AC will try to run off of what it has, but all I say is, research this topic.
That said, I do run the AC on a regular cord sometimes (not with other high draw things at the same time though), and have not killed anything.... yet...
I do have a 10g cord, but the camper is plugged into regular ex cord, prob 14g so I have power if I need it, and if I want AC on a hot day while Im out there will run it off little cord...
Your AC unit will not be drawing 30 amps. The 30amp number comes from combining AC, fridge and water heater, plus other, though smaller, loads.
You can look up what the AC draws running (not start-up).
If yes, then 10 or 12g cord. the shorter the better.
Running AirCon on a 14g cord (small wire) will certainly work, but can put a strain on the aircon motor when the cord gets hot, it will, and the amps start to drop, even cold the cord will struggle to supply the needed amps. The AC will try to run off of what it has, but all I say is, research this topic.
That said, I do run the AC on a regular cord sometimes (not with other high draw things at the same time though), and have not killed anything.... yet...
I do have a 10g cord, but the camper is plugged into regular ex cord, prob 14g so I have power if I need it, and if I want AC on a hot day while Im out there will run it off little cord...
Your AC unit will not be drawing 30 amps. The 30amp number comes from combining AC, fridge and water heater, plus other, though smaller, loads.
You can look up what the AC draws running (not start-up).
