50 AMP cord storage

[roddiemacdonald]

Like many of you I have a heavy 50 Amp cord I have to detach, pack up and store underneath in my 5th wheel storage compartment. Presently I curl it up in a Tupperware container then lift it up in the storage area. As you know, it's heavy.

Any ideas out there for a less back breaking way of doing this?

[rhagfo]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

diveman52 wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
So, in the bright light of day I can see that I am using a 6/3 and 8/1 power cord and it's a bear to handle. It must be a brand difference. Mine says Ciylius E90165-D STW made by Well Shin Technology. Is it the SOW vs. STW that makes it such a problem? If so, otherwise, are they the same thing or are the wires inside somewhat different? (Stranded, not-stranded?).

STW type cord is about the cheapest stuff they make.
If you want fexablity in any weather you want SOW or even just SO

Can't beat it!

Yep, dislike posting on consecutive pages, but this is lighter and much easier to store!
Ron has a single bend above this is 40' in a 3 gallon bucket, 90 degrees or 20 degrees!!!

[westend]

Singleminded wrote:
Anyone know the 'ought' rating of a 50 amp cable? Welding cable 0, 00 ,000 is very flexible (but copper capable of carrying 50 amps will never be light!

None of them are that big. Nearly all are AWG 6 X 3 and AWG 8 X 1.

[Singleminded]

Anyone know the 'ought' rating of a 50 amp cable? Welding cable 0, 00 ,000 is very flexible (but copper capable of carrying 50 amps will never be light!

[Bill_Satellite]

diveman52 wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
So, in the bright light of day I can see that I am using a 6/3 and 8/1 power cord and it's a bear to handle. It must be a brand difference. Mine says Ciylius E90165-D STW made by Well Shin Technology. Is it the SOW vs. STW that makes it such a problem? If so, otherwise, are they the same thing or are the wires inside somewhat different? (Stranded, not-stranded?).

STW type cord is about the cheapest stuff they make.
If you want fexablity in any weather you want SOW or even just SO

That makes sense....What else would Camping World sell?

[Cummins12V98]

diveman52 wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
So, in the bright light of day I can see that I am using a 6/3 and 8/1 power cord and it's a bear to handle. It must be a brand difference. Mine says Ciylius E90165-D STW made by Well Shin Technology. Is it the SOW vs. STW that makes it such a problem? If so, otherwise, are they the same thing or are the wires inside somewhat different? (Stranded, not-stranded?).

STW type cord is about the cheapest stuff they make.
If you want fexablity in any weather you want SOW or even just SO

Can't beat it!

[diveman52]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
So, in the bright light of day I can see that I am using a 6/3 and 8/1 power cord and it's a bear to handle. It must be a brand difference. Mine says Ciylius E90165-D STW made by Well Shin Technology. Is it the SOW vs. STW that makes it such a problem? If so, otherwise, are they the same thing or are the wires inside somewhat different? (Stranded, not-stranded?).

STW type cord is about the cheapest stuff they make.
If you want fexablity in any weather you want SOW or even just SO

[JWRoberts]

I mounted a pickup tool box on the rear bumper of our TT for extra storage.

I remove one end of the cord and place it in the box and then go back and forth in the tool box with the remaining cord. Easy to load and unload.

[Bumpyroad]

I noticed at Sam's club a motorized reel for a garden hose that was quite reasonable that could be adapted for a cord.
bumpy

[RnTBnB]

I bought an air compressor hose reel from Harbor Freight and mounted it on a pull-out "drawer" I built and installed in the basement of my 5th wheel. When setting up the trailer I extend the "drawer" and pull the loose end of the cord (with the male plug)toward the rear of the trailer until the entire cord is off the reel. When putting the cord away I manually crank the reel until the cord is loaded and then slide the "drawer" into the basement. It is a little hard to crank the reel, but for me it beats coiling the cord by hand and trying to stuff it into the basement.

[drmopar]

On my Boat, I have 100' 50 amp cord. Same gauge as my RV. On the Boat, it is equipped with a Glendining "cable master" that powers out and in the cord. You can stop at whatever length you need. Well worth the expense.

[Cummins12V98]

Yes they are all stranded but the flexible one most likely has 30 + strands compared to less than 10 on the stiff one. All guesstimated numbers.

[rhagfo]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

westend wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
So, in the bright light of day I can see that I am using a 6/3 and 8/1 power cord and it's a bear to handle. It must be a brand difference. Mine says Ciylius E90165-D STW made by Well Shin Technology. Is it the SOW vs. STW that makes it such a problem? If so, otherwise, are they the same thing or are the wires inside somewhat different? (Stranded, not-stranded?).

STW explained

SJOW explained

FWIW, I have a 50 amp Marinco cord, probably one of the better ones made and it is the sheath that makes it bend less. I'm willing to wind it in a less tighter coil to have the quality.

I don't think you will find a SJOW as S = 600V and J = 300V.

The cord I made was from a 50A construction temp power cord. SOW 6/3 & 8/1.

Thanks for providing the links!

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If so, otherwise, are they the same thing or are the wires inside somewhat different? (Stranded, not-stranded?)

Well if not stranded I don't think you could bend 3/6-1/8!

The difference is the outer and inner jackets, it is softer and more pliable.

I was able to get 40' of 4/8 SO cable, and the ends for less than $200.

This is the old and new, new 40' in three gallon bucket, old 35' in big tub.


This is a top view of the 40' of SO cable in a three gallon bucket, this will go in here even in freezing temps!

[Cummins12V98]

westend wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
So, in the bright light of day I can see that I am using a 6/3 and 8/1 power cord and it's a bear to handle. It must be a brand difference. Mine says Ciylius E90165-D STW made by Well Shin Technology. Is it the SOW vs. STW that makes it such a problem? If so, otherwise, are they the same thing or are the wires inside somewhat different? (Stranded, not-stranded?).

STW explained

SJOW explained

FWIW, I have a 50 amp Marinco cord, probably one of the better ones made and it is the sheath that makes it bend less. I'm willing to wind it in a less tighter coil to have the quality.

I don't think you will find a SJOW as S = 600V and J = 300V.

The cord I made was from a 50A construction temp power cord. SOW 6/3 & 8/1.

Thanks for providing the links!

[STBRetired]

I bought 50' of SOOW 6/4 service cable at my local Electrical supply house. Same place as where the RV Service I take my rig to gets cable when they need it. Was $2.69 per foot. So far have only used it when hooked up at house, but is flexible enough that it could be wound up in electrical bay. Weighs maybe 30#. Have never put in on a scale.