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Topic: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power (Read 681 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #25 –
"I am just trying to save Mimi from getting something like what I have and then wishing she had done something else."
---
John, on re-reading my post, I can see where the message came across as cranky and a bit preachy; not intentional, and definitely not directed at your message. 

Sorry for any misunderstanding; I know that you (and, it's hoped, all of us) are trying to share the benefits of our experiences to help others.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #26 –
Thank you for the EMS info.  While in my driveway, I wanted to plug in to truly live in my rig and check each appliance, so hoped I could do that quickly before taking on additional upgrades.

If I understand correctly, a plug-in surge protector will do the job at my house, but I should get one hardwired once I'm traveling.
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #27 –
Quote from: John DaCrema  - 
I bought my LD used and the previous owner took me by the MotherShip while I was learning to drive a RV, it was not that far from his home and where I was going to camp the first night.  I purchased a plug in surge protector from them because we have a lot of thunder storms here (VA) amnd where my family live in FL.  I am glad I have it, but wished I waited and had a hardwired protector installed. 

Mimi, you should be fine plugged into the your home.   If you can't get the whole house done soon get a plug in unit.

As a precaution when in a thunder storm is near I unplug from power poles.

Thanks John. I'm in SoCal so, luckily, no big lightening storms here.  Like you were, I'm just learning about my rig. I'm planning to upgrade some things and repair more things, but I really want to hook up so I can truly test drive the appliances. I was hoping to do that quickly, so I'm going to buy a plug-in protector for now.  I may have one hardwired when I'm at the Mothership to have everything sealed.

Thank you for your help.

Mimi


Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #28 –
Quote from: Traxless  - 
NOW ... the extension cord should be 12 gauge and not a thin, cheap extension cord.   I'd also check the fuse box at the house to find the amp rating for the chosen socket.

I'm having a difficult time finding the proper extension cord. Don't I need one that can handle 50 amps to go with the additional 50 amp adapter I'm going to buy?  Finding an extension cord that is 12/2 (what is 12/2 vs 12/3?) that works with 20-50 amps is eluding me. 
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #29 –
Mimi,
I have owned 4 rv's all 30 amp. And not once in 36 years have I needed an extension cord to hook up power while camping.And I have never had to use my 50 amp adapter. I would say 99% of the time the power hook up is within 10 feet. The 25' shore power cords have always been plenty long enough. And are usually coiled on the ground next to the pole. The only time I have had to use an extension cord is at home when parked in the street in front of my house. When parked in the driveway the rv cord is just long enough to plug in with an adapter. IMO I sure wouldn't want to carry a very heavy 50 amp extension cord in the RV that odds are will never be needed.
Lynn and Lori
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #30 –
Mimi you may want to look at a 50 amp cord before buying.  They weigh substantially more and rolling them up is good training for Strongwoman competition. I carry a 30amp extension and a 50amp dogbone adapter. 

I took the advice here for a hard wired Progressive Dynamics protector.  I like it and feel better using it.  Just remember it is no protection against lightening striking the electric system you are plugged in to. Unplug when a thunderstorm is near for extra protection.

If your house is wired right then the surge protector is less nessesary. A surge that would damage the LD would do more damage to the rest of the house.  Don't assume others' houses you may visit are wired right though.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
 
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #31 –
Mimi

Forget the 50-amp cord,  30-amp cords are all you will ever need.
You will never need the capacity of a 50-amp cord, only RVs wired for 50-amp need one.
A 50-amp to 30-amp adaptor is useful to have, it will not get used often but I have run into hookups with only 50-amp available.

We driveway camp a lot, at friends and relatives houses, and having a LONG cord has come in handy for powering the LD's A/C, during the summer.
We carry up to 100' of 30-amp cord, depending on where we will be parking.
The heavy cord is useful in limiting voltage drop, especially, when using a 15-amp plug that is located a ways off.
While a lighter 12/2 cord will working many situations, the 30-amp cord works in all situations, as  long as you have the right adaptor.
If a remote 30-amp outlet is available, you will need a 30-amp cord extension cord..

All of this stuff is expensive upfront but once you own it, you should be set for years.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #32 –
To add to what Larry said. If you keep your nice new 30 amp cord on a spool like I do because it is so much easier to deal with and store, be sure to unwind the spool so there will not be a heat build up.  I lost a very nice cord and spool not knowing.  There was never any heat I could feel in the unwound parts of the cord, but part that was all coiled collectively had enough heat to heat weld the outer insulation layers together.   I think I might have dodged a bullet that day.
John
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #33 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
Forget the 50-amp cord,  30-amp cords are all you will ever need.
You will never need the capacity of a 50-amp cord, only RVs wired for 50-amp need one.


+1

A good site to familiarize yourself with 30 vs 50 amp RV connections is RV Electric

You will see that a 30 amp RV like a LD is wired with 1 hot (30 amp), 1 neutral, and 1 ground.  A 50 amp RV is wired COMPLETELY differently - 2 50 amp hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground.  So a 50 amp coach is actually capable of pulling 100 amps total and boy, is that power cord heavy as a result!  :)

A 50 to 30 adapter will only use the power from 1 hot leg of a 50 amp hookup.  Be sure you get a 50 amp male to 30 amp female adapter for your LD if you chose to get one.  This means the adapter has 4 lugs on one end that go into the 50 amp receptacle at the site power pole and has 3 openings on the other end where the 3 lugs of your LD power cord plug will plug into.

Now, here's where it's also wise to point out (as you'll see from that link) that if you ever have an electrician install a 30 amp outlet at your home or if you want to plug into a friend's home, the 30 amp RV wiring is NOT what you usually find in a 30 amp residential wiring situation.  MOST 30 amp circuits in a home are wired with 2 30 amp hot wires - so total 240 volts difference between the two wires.  This is very, very bad for a 30 amp RV, so know for sure before you plug in that it's only a 120V ac circuit.

Michelle
Re: How to plug into stick's & bricks for power
Reply #34 –
During our Texas-Oklahoma excursion some years back, we made the mistake of stopping at Pedernales Falls State Park. My effort to select a spot, using my portable Progressive unit, turned up one reversed polarity pedestal and two open ground ones. Fourth time was the charm. The ranger gal had no idea what I was talking about when I reported the bad wirings. I use the unit religiously!  And, like Joan, I chain it to the pedestal every time. -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄