extension cords and rain

[luvztheoutdoor1]

I have a 25ft extension cord that I have to attach sometimes to the shorepower cord to reach the receptacle. Should I try to do anything special with where it connects if it is raining. I know water and electricity do not mix. BTW, the extension cord is rated appropriately for 15A. This is when I am connected to a 15A outlet only.

[pianotuna]

Hi Larry

"a material that is dielectric does not conduct electricity"

Larry-D wrote:
Dielectric grease on the plug prongs and female outlets for the plug prongs. The grease will conduct electricity and help protect the connectors from corrosion. Very inexpensive and works well. Automotive parts stores maybe Walmart. I'm on the same very small tube I've had for probably 20 years.

[lgarcia]

Cinderblock (with two "openings") standing on end.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/16-in-x-8-in-x-6-in-Concrete-Block-068H0010100100/100322580

That creates a little shelf and the cords attach and lay on top of that shelf. Put an upside down plastic dishpan over it. Available at any dollar store, but this link shows a pic:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1273745&KPID=959291&pla=pla_959291

Both items can be repurposed if not needed for holding an extension cord.

[Larry-D]

Dielectric grease on the plug prongs and female outlets for the plug prongs. The grease will conduct electricity and help protect the connectors from corrosion. Very inexpensive and works well. Automotive parts stores maybe Walmart. I'm on the same very small tube I've had for probably 20 years.

[wa8yxm]

I do not worry about a connection in the rain Unless you are plugged into a GFCI there won't be enough "leakage' to matter (GFCI's may trip)

But I do not like them sitting in a puddle, so I'll put something under it, I may also lock it in a container not unlike the one pictured above

For 30 amp plugs and adapters I have a plastic tool box with a couple of notches to let the cord pass, and some other mods to keep water from pooling inside (allow it tot drain out of the top while the box is upside down).

[SoundGuy]

guidry wrote:
For my peace of mind, I wrap the plugs with a plastic bag and tape it good then place it on a block of wood or a rock. Never had a problem.

Let that connection wrapped tightly in plastic sit in the sun long enough, then cool at night, then sit in the sun again, and have that cycle repeat itself & you'll find that what you've created is a perfect method of allowing condensation to form inside the plastic. Left long enough that connection will be sitting in a pool of water. That's not my idea of "peace of mind". :R

[pianotuna]

Hi Linda,

I wear a pair of silicone oven mitts when I have to plug or unplug in the rain. They are great for working with a campfire, too!

I've toyed with the idea of using one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Headz-Extension-Safety-Resistant/dp/B004IPZ6WU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=146...

luvztheoutdoorz1 wrote:
I have a 25ft extension cord that I have to attach sometimes to the shorepower cord to reach the receptacle. Should I try to do anything special with where it connects if it is raining. I know water and electricity do not mix. BTW, the extension cord is rated appropriately for 15A. This is when I am connected to a 15A outlet only.

[j-d]

I was on a site for a couple months, and I put the connection up on a brick. Then a dishpan over the connection, weighed it down with another brick. Worked well rain or shine. If you want to run A/C or electric heat, you need a 30-amp RV extension cord. Ordinary extensions won't handle much more than your converter and fridge. Maybe with A/C in Fan mode. Probably not microwave.

[CJW8]

What MYREDRACER said! Use 12 gauge for that length. A 14 or 16 gauge cord assumes you are going to plug into quality power and have your load directly on the other end of the cord. In your case, you are plugging into power, then 25 feet of cord, then 30 feet of RV 30 amp cord, then unknown length of camper wiring to main breaker, then unknown length of camper wiring to load. Get the picture? People try this and wonder why their AC or even their converter won't work.

The idea of boxes are good and should be employed if there is lots of rain expected.

[SaltiDawg]

KE6IRJ wrote:
Ace sells a cord cover for connections. It looks like a giant pill, but they work great.

There are many similar waterproof connectors available at amazon.com for under $10.

This is but only one of them.

[myredracer]

Many 15 amp extension cords are only 16 gauge. You probably should use at least 12 gauge to minimize the chances of voltage drop issues. Being outdoor rated isn't going to do much. Unless you specifically buy the right commercial grade heavy duty cord, you can end up with a low quality connector on a cord that can lead to resistance and overheating over time.

In the beginning I used a basic 15 amp extension cord along with a 30/15 amp adapter to keep our TT plugged in at home and two cords in a row went up in smoke because I was too lazy to turn the power off first. The connectors on the cords were cheapo ones with poor contact pressure and surface area inside them and along with pitting on contact surfaces lead to failure. (I ended up installing a 30 amp recept. & disconnect switch in our carport.)

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
I found that my TT plug and the end of the extension cord had signs of arcing (burn marks) after I had to use the extension cord when stopped for an overnight without unhooking.

That's probably because you don't turn the power off before plugging into a receptacle. The converters in an RV have a momentary inrush current when first plugged in (due to capacitors in it) and you can hear a zap and see a flash in the dark. This causes pitting and dirt buildup which over time will cause overheating. While you can see what the blades on a plug look like, you can see inside a connector/receptacle.

[Kayteg1]

In my construction activities I had cord connections submerged in dirty water, yet GFCI would not go off.
Dealing with marble/tile makes you always playing with wet electric cords and when I am careful to have GFCI protection, doesn't look it was ever needed.
Meaning the danger is minimal, but I think wrapping the connection in plastic and putting it elevated (brick or piece of 2x6) is good precaution.

[Naio]

Interesting box ideas!

I always seem to be able to tuck the connection under my rig to stay dry.

I also always tie cords in a knot before connecting (wet or dry) so that if someone trips over a cord or yanks on it, it won't come halfway unplugged and arc.

Ir's good to wrap the cord around the post before plugging in, for the same reason.

[KE6IRJ]

Ace sells a cord cover for connections. It looks like a giant pill, but they work great.

[MrWizard]

I used to wrap up in plastic bags
But I followed another members lead
And bought a plastic ammo box with gasket in the lid
Cut 'U' notches in opposing corners , it's water proof, the connection stays dry, had a nice good latch, won't pop open If somebody trips over it