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06-08-2011, 11:52 AM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: PNW
Posts: 5,195
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tafische
My plug melted pretty good about a year ago. It was in a very old pedestal and I can only assume it was a bad connection. The rubber melted some and the prongs were discolored. I purchased an EMS, but that probably wont be a fix-all...it just happens - which is why I always carry an extra plug with me.
One thing I do - I carry a 50 to 30 adapter. Whenever I am at a 50 spot, I use it instead. I figure it is less often used and will be in better shape.
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But by doing this, aren't you removing a layer of protection? The cord on your TT is designed to carry 30 amps, but by plugging it into a 50A breaker, there's the potential that the cord could be exposed to 50 amps of current, causing it to fry.
For instance, what would happen if over the years of pulling the cable in and out of the TT, the wires twisted, creating a minor short somewhere before the attachment to the converter or surge suppressor? (just enough contact to cause some resistance, but not enough to trip a 30A breaker.)
If plugged into a 50A breaker, couldn't the load limit of the wires be exceeded, more easily causing a fire?
I think I would always plug my 30A cable into a 30A (or less) breaker, since that's what the cable is designed for- not 50A.
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Edited to add: And who knows. Maybe that's why your plug melted???
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Just my 2 cents.
Bill
__________________
Bill
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI Quad Cab
2011 Jay Flight 26BH
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06-08-2011, 11:58 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokerBill
But by doing this, aren't you removing a layer of protection? The cord on your TT is designed to carry 30 amps, but by plugging it into a 50A breaker, there's the potential that the cord could be exposed to 50 amps of current, causing it to fry..
Bill
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This triggered my memory of "Driveway Camping" in our dealer's parking lot (several times since buying the tt). The shore power was only set up for 50amp. So the service manager had one of the techs give us an a adapter to use. Maybe it's ok to do once in a while if the service people give you one to use overnight? They didn't seem to concerned anyhow. We do keep an adapter with us now, as when traveling, we overnighted a few nights at a cg with only the 50 amp
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Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
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06-08-2011, 04:38 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 552
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It doesn't matter how much cord is pulled out. Wire that is properly sized for the load and given clean connections is not going to overheat. Stay with the established brands, Marinco, Hubberd, Camco. Why jeapordize your investment by trying to save a few bucks on some Chinese built piece of c __p?
As an aside, every boat in the world that is wired for 30A shore power has #10 three conductor, usually inclosed in a closed space and often bundled with other wiring and the only problems generated are those caused by burned or corroded connections that once start generating heat should be replaced anyway. 50A cords and wiring are done the same way, only using #6 wire, Anything smaller regardless of how short the run is unacceptable.
The advantage to using the Marinco cord is that the molded rubber is yellow and the plug is easily inspected for burning. If it is a dark color, the end needs to be replaced.
__________________
2010 22FB(Ret)
2013 F250 XLT
I now have a Keystone Outback, but I try to help when I can.
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Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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06-08-2011, 04:40 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 552
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Quote:
Originally Posted by healthi
This triggered my memory of "Driveway Camping" in our dealer's parking lot (several times since buying the tt). The shore power was only set up for 50amp. So the service manager had one of the techs give us an a adapter to use. Maybe it's ok to do once in a while if the service people give you one to use overnight? They didn't seem to concerned anyhow. We do keep an adapter with us now, as when traveling, we overnighted a few nights at a cg with only the 50 amp
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The adapter is only going to use one leg of the 220/50A plug, and the breakers on the converter are going to limit you to 30A, so there's no problem with that.
__________________
2010 22FB(Ret)
2013 F250 XLT
I now have a Keystone Outback, but I try to help when I can.
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Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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06-08-2011, 08:21 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Landry
The adapter is only going to use one leg of the 220/50A plug, and the breakers on the converter are going to limit you to 30A, so there's no problem with that.
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I thought about what Bill said before, and yes it probably does remove a layer of protection - but the 30 amp breaker and the EMS in the camper should catch most any problems. When my cord melted, I was using a 30 amp - which is when I started to use the 50 amp service. I personally think the risk is minimal compared to the problems I have had with the old 30 amp connectors - but that is just me....my other thought was that if it was really a bad idea - and violated electrical code - they would not be allowed to sell the adapter.
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06-09-2011, 02:31 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pahrump
Posts: 4,036
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Well, I'm on my way down to the barn right now to pull it all out. Just running the refrigerator but since all I know about Faraday is that he was a moron cop on Boston Blackie, I'm not taking any chances! :dunce:
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'11 Eagle 320RLDS
'02 F350 PSD Dually 4WD
DW's Ride, '13 Expedition
'14 Denali XL
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06-10-2011, 05:53 AM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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My power cord is invisibleand goes from the roof of my RV to the sun....LOL I cannot remember when the last time I had my power cord out and plugged in was...
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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06-10-2011, 10:03 AM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,393
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
My power cord is invisibleand goes from the roof of my RV to the sun....LOL I cannot remember when the last time I had my power cord out and plugged in was...
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I am envious of your solar power set-up. It must be quite the system.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 31.5RLDS
2018 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
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06-10-2011, 10:22 AM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David472
I am envious of your solar power set-up. It must be quite the system.
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One of these days I will get around to photographing it and put it in the mod my rv section...
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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08-14-2011, 07:02 PM
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#30
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 15
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In the manual it says always pull it all the way out no matter what
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08-18-2011, 10:37 AM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Posts: 167
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Our owners manual states to do the same, pull all the way out. Do not coil cord or let it over lap.
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08-18-2011, 11:21 AM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 552
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I've read that also and don't know why they say that. 30A through #10 wire isn't going to generate any appreciable amount of heat unless you have some bad connections and that need to be addressed, and at 60 hz, you aren't going to generate any kind of inductive field, and even if you did, on shore power, so what?
__________________
2010 22FB(Ret)
2013 F250 XLT
I now have a Keystone Outback, but I try to help when I can.
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Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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08-18-2011, 01:54 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arizona City
Posts: 10,136
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In my owners manual under a Warning pull all the way out. I am sure the engineers did some research on this matter. Wife and I don't need any problems like burning up the Jayco. Makes for a bad day. Later Ernie
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2018 Jayco Jayfeather 27 RL, 2002 Ford excursion, v-10, 3:73 gears 4x4 mine. 2020 Buick Encore Hers, Retired Air Force, now Retired.
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08-19-2011, 07:38 AM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Landry
I've read that also and don't know why they say that. 30A through #10 wire isn't going to generate any appreciable amount of heat unless you have some bad connections and that need to be addressed, and at 60 hz, you aren't going to generate any kind of inductive field, and even if you did, on shore power, so what?
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want a surprise? lay it coiled in the snow with power going through it.(using furnace, coffee maker and TV.. good chance it will melt the snow...
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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08-19-2011, 08:17 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Posts: 204
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Seann45 is absolutely correct. When I was in the Army at Ft. Lewis, we were working in large trailers that contained a mainframe computer system.
The power cables to these vans were about 3" in diameter and carrying 240V.
Of course since we were Army, the cables had to be coiled up very neatly.
We soon found that the cables got really hot. After uncoiling them they remained much cooler.
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Me, DW and 5 dogs
2004 F-150 Reg Cab,Long bed 4X4
2008 Flagstaff 625D Pup (keeping this one for now)
2010 Jayco EXP 21M Hybrid
“This isn’t rocket science; it’s more like quantum physics.”
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04-08-2012, 05:04 AM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Livermore,California
Posts: 375
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on our walkthru at the dealer they told us to always fully extend the power cord, overheating was the reason.
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