Melted plug prong - would you use it?

[crazyro]

I was given this cord form a gentleman who sold his rig. I can't use it as our camper has the rat hole cord - however, I'd like to replace it with this type of setup (had the cord pretzel on itself twice already and had to remove storage box top to untangle). However, it looks like this thing got in a fight with a potentially bad pedestal. I can sand off and clean the oxidation, I have checked the continuity and everything seems fine. Our old camper had a similar issue and we didn't really have any problems. Should I use this and make the swap?





(sorry for the less than great photos)

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Use the noodle.

Plug one end

Socket the other

Extension cord for your rig.

Or layeth it on an individual who can salvage it.

Extension cords are not cheap.

[free_radical]

crazyro wrote:
I was given this cord form a gentleman who sold his rig. I can't use it as our camper has the rat hole cord - however, I'd like to replace it with this type of setup (had the cord pretzel on itself twice already and had to remove storage box top to untangle). However, it looks like this thing got in a fight with a potentially bad pedestal. I can sand off and clean the oxidation, I have checked the continuity and everything seems fine. Our old camper had a similar issue and we didn't really have any problems. Should I use this and make the swap?





(sorry for the less than great photos)

Good grief,,do you even have to ask,,?
Scrap that and get a new one..

[Passin__Through]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
PLUG AND NOT THINK!

PLUG AND PLA.......

NYANT ---- ZOOT! HISS! FLARE

"This is just too complicated! Now, who can I blame for this?"

Sad but true Mr. M, sad but very true.:(

[MEXICOWANDERER]

PLUG AND NOT THINK!

PLUG AND PLA.......

NYANT ---- ZOOT! HISS! FLARE

"This is just too complicated! Now, who can I blame for this?"

[burningman]

You don’t know what you’re talking about. You were an electrician not an RV expert.

Haha just kidding.

It’s evident by the kinds of things the OP has said that he’s not at all familiar with wiring.
Maybe the best thing for him to do is stop by an RV repair place and have them slap on a new plug.

[soren]

Lynnmor wrote:
I’ve seen plenty of outlets that were old, loose or burned. Sure they need immediate replacement, but the very next user will plug in and unplug hot. The idea of turning off heavy appliances and then turning off the breaker is totally foreign to many. With the burned spots on the new outlet, the next guy might well get a burned plug. I always insert and withdraw the plug multiple times in an attempt to polish the contact area.

Oh, it goes beyond a foreign concept to some. I have mentioned here that dropping loads before connecting and disconnecting in a real good idea, and have been told that I don't know what I'm talking about, LOL. I guess being a licensed electrician for the last three decades is evidence that I'm clueless. I've actually heard the sizzle from 30' away, as a fellow camper is wrapping up for the weekend, and yanks a 50A plug out of a socket, with a pair of ACs humming away on the roof. Yea, that's a great idea, right.................

[myredracer]

Chum lee wrote:
The damage you see on the plug provided in the OP's pictures was most likely caused by a bad female receptacle.
Chum lee

I don't think this is the most likely cause. It can also be caused by a failure to keep the plug blades clean or plugging in live. Any photo I've seen of burnt blades is just about always the neutral blade like the examples below. If it was due only to a bad receptacle that is being plugged into, you'd see just as many burnt hot blades or both neutral and hots. Not sure why just the neutral would be affected. Also sometimes happens to the twistlock end of a cord which obviously doesn't have anything to do with a pedestal.

[pianotuna]

I've taken to treating the pedestal outlets with anticorrosion spray before I plug in.

[Chum_lee]

crazyro wrote:

2oldman wrote:

Chum lee wrote:
If you know where the female receptacle is that most likely caused that, you should replace that too

The cord was given to him.

Correct. I know nothing of its history...

2oldman: Yes, I did read and understand the OP's post. Possibly you have missed my point so please allow me to explain. Notice my use of the word "If" in my initial post. The damage you see on the plug provided in the OP's pictures was most likely caused by a bad female receptacle. If you replace the plug and then plug it into another bad receptacle, you will have the same issue again, shortly. So, why not educate yourself, increase your awareness, and "fix the problem" IF you can. This is potentially a serious fire hazard. In order to connect to the onboard genny, some (not all) 30 amp plugs (like mine) must be plugged into the onboard basement genny outlet when it's not plugged into a park pedestal. Repeat after me, "This could cause a serious fire hazard which could burn my RV (and potentially you or me) to the ground." Is the fog lifting yet? I hope so. 🙂

Chum lee

[myredracer]

Not a chance in h*ll - cut and replace. Cords are not cheap and it's worth repairing. If it's a detachable cord (with twist-lock at one end), you can use it as an extension cord by using a generator adapter on the connector end. Don't go and buy a cheap replacement plug otherwise you may regret it (talking from experience here) and get one that has UL/CSA on it. Brands like Park Power/Marinco and Hubbell are good and there's others also.

With RV shore power cords you need to ensure the plug blades are ALWAYS kept clean. Use emery cloth or sandpaper on them as needed. This could have been been caused by failure to keep clean.

Or, CG pedestals often get a lot of abuse and you'll never know what the contact surfaces look like inside and if bad can cause a bad connection, followed by heat + smoke and a damaged cord.

[YC_1]

Certified Electronic tech here with almost 50 years of service.

Cut the connector off and replace it. Do NOT use that. The cord is probably fine. Connectors are not expensive. Fires are scary.

[valhalla360]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
In view of your last post, I suggest you hire an electrician to put a new plug on or buy a new cord.

It isn't rocket science but it does help to understand basic electricity.

Be safe.

If you have to pay an eletrician, you may as well buy a new cord.

It's not rocket science, just snip off the end and then follow the directions that come with the replacement plug. Should be under $10.

[D_E_Bishop]

In view of your last post, I suggest you hire an electrician to put a new plug on or buy a new cord.

It isn't rocket science but it does help to understand basic electricity.

Be safe.

[MEXICOWANDERER]