Melting extension cord

[Claybe]

I will be taking our first big trip soon and we will need the air conditioner. We usually boondock and never use the AC. I have only used it at home a couple of times and when I did the extension cord got really hot and the converter adapter plug from 220 to a 110 plug was almost melting. I will only have 110 available at the houses I will be staying at and need to use the AC. What should I do???

[time2roll]

Exactly what adapter are you using? Dog-bone style or a puck?

Do you have a 30 amp or 50 amp RV? (cord end; 3 prong = 30 amp, 4 prong = 50 amp)

How long is the extension cord? And more important is it at least #12 wire?

[Sam_Spade]

djousma wrote:

Don't try to plug into a 220v dryer or welder outlet. they look the same but you will fry your electrical appliances in your trailer.

I don't think so.
Why do YOU think that ??

To summarize:
If the houses don't have an appropriate 220 receptacle OR a 30 amp 110 one (highly unlikely) then you MUST run your generator.

If you don't have a generator......then you will be hot.

What you are doing now is dangerous; it's a fire just waiting to happen.....maybe inside the house where it's plugged in. I kind of wonder why the breaker in the house box doesn't trip. Mine did when I tried it.

[djousma]

Mote wrote:
Most camper run on 110 volt. They do however need a 30amp power source. Your adapter is allowing you to use it on a 15 or 20amp power source. Your extension cord is getting hot since it is not large enough wire to pull that kind of power needed for the A/C.
If the houses you are going to don't have a RV specific 30amp 110 volt plug for you to attach to then will need to run a generator.

A generator with a 30A socket. Not a generator with a 15A socket. same situation applies.

[djousma]

You really cannot run A/C on a 15 amp circuit because of what you have already observed happens. It is also very bad for your A/C, let alone dangerous. Unless the place you are going has a dedicated 30amp circuit, you are out of luck. BTW, your trailer is not 220, its just a larger 30amp plug(I am assuming 30a, could be 50a too).

Don't try to plug into a 220v dryer or welder outlet. they look the same but you will fry your electrical appliances in your trailer.

[Mote]

Most camper run on 110 volt. They do however need a 30amp power source. Your adapter is allowing you to use it on a 15 or 20amp power source. Your extension cord is getting hot since it is not large enough wire to pull that kind of power needed for the A/C.
If the houses you are going to don't have a RV specific 30amp 110 volt plug for you to attach to then will need to run a generator.