Extrension Cord from 50A to house outlet - ‘18 JF 32BHDS

[MiddleClassHero]

Good morning all,

We have our first trip planned for Friday and we were trying to plug our 50A shoreline cord (w/15A dog bone) in to our house but the chord won’t reach. Can I use an extension chord without damaging anything? Thanks in advance.

Roy

[IAcowboy]

Yes you can use an extension cord from the dogbone to your house. I myself have a 10ga 50' extension cord for that express purpose. I went with 10ga to ensure there is little voltage drop and if the outlet you are plugged into has a higher rated breaker you might also be able to run the AC for short periods of time if needed.

[MiddleClassHero]

Thanks for the quick response. I’m not sure what gage this extentenion chord is. It says 16/3? Is that ok to use?

[ALJO]

Not recommended, buy a 10 ga for your RV (Pay me now or pay me later by damage)

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by MiddleClassHero

Thanks for the quick response. I’m not sure what gage this extentenion chord is. It says 16/3? Is that ok to use?

That means it's a 16 gauge wire. 50 amp service requires much heavier cable, 10 gauge or more (lower numbers are thicker cable). Not only that, but your house wiring requires 12 gauge for 20-amp service, or 14-gauge for 15 amp service. An 16 gauge extension cord (chords are for music, not electricity) plugged into a home outlet in order to supply your RV will be overloaded and could easily overheat, potentially causing a fire, without blowing the circuit breakers that protect the circuit.

For safety's sake you should use an extension cord with at least 12 gauge wire. 16 gauge creates a very unsafe situation.

Good luck!

Roger

[MiddleClassHero]

Thanks everyone for the help! Much appreciated. This is no kidding one of the most useful forums I’ve ever been a part of...especially for a newbie. Thanks again.

[Jagiven]

Ideally use as short of an extension cord as possible, and as heavy as possible.

With that said, I use a 25 foot 16 gauge extension cord for many years, without issues. I only keep the battery charged, run the frig lights as needed. We never turn on any other equipment.

[bluie5]

I bought a 50a to 20a dogbone and then run my extension cord into the garage. It’s much easier to handle than the 50a cable and a 50a extension. I have the twist on power cord.

[vwprostock]

Just fyi that Camping World has the short adapter from 50A to 110 15A plug on clearance for 22 or 27 bucks last weekend.

Bought one and made myself a exact lenth 12ga extension cord. I am lucky I have an outlet close to the corner where my RV connection is.

[MiddleClassHero]

Thanks for the heads uo

[Dave.H]

Keep in mind, the OP doesn't need a 50amp capable extension cord if he is plugging into a 15 or 20 amp standard outlet.

If it's 20amp, I'd use a 12/3 extension cord. 15 amp I'd use 14/3. That matches the much longer wires in the house and the outlet/breaker. For a short run and only running the TV a 16/3 will be fine.

Just keep in mind with the dog bone, you won't be able to run much in the RV without popping the breaker in the house.

All that said, I carry a 50 amp extension cable in the trailer because I've been places that I needed one, so it doesn't hurt to have it.

[MiddleClassHero]

Thanks. I actually ended up buying a 50s extension. Wasn’t happy about how much it was but I’m sure it will come in handy

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by Dave.H

Keep in mind, the OP doesn't need a 50amp capable extension cord if he is plugging into a 15 or 20 amp standard outlet.

If it's 20amp, I'd use a 12/3 extension cord. 15 amp I'd use 14/3. That matches the much longer wires in the house and the outlet/breaker. For a short run and only running the TV a 16/3 will be fine.

You do what you want, but a 16/3 extension cord in a 20-amp circuit means you can overload and overheat the extension cord long before the 20-amp circuit breaker will "pop". Especially when you have a potential load at the RV that can exceed the 20-amp rating of the circuit.

And yes, you can control the load by running minimal stuff in the RV to keep the load down. You still have a potential fire on your hands, with no protection. It only takes one mistake.

Plugging your 50-amp RV into a 20-amp circuit? Use 12/3 for your extension cord, please.

Be safe!

Roger

[bdreinv]

We have same problem here, first tried GFI plugs would blow GFI. Moved extension cord to clothes dryer plug works OK! Thanks

[Dave.H]

Originally Posted by rkresge

You do what you want, but a 16/3 extension cord in a 20-amp circuit means you can overload and overheat the extension cord long before the 20-amp circuit breaker will "pop". Especially when you have a potential load at the RV that can exceed the 20-amp rating of the circuit.

And yes, you can control the load by running minimal stuff in the RV to keep the load down. You still have a potential fire on your hands, with no protection. It only takes one mistake.

Plugging your 50-amp RV into a 20-amp circuit? Use 12/3 for your extension cord, please.

Be safe!

Roger

I don't disagree with you. I had a 30 amp outlet placed in my garage when I built the house for this exact reason.

My point was more that a 50 amp extension ($$) provides no benefit on a 15 or 20 amp circuit. You are absolutely correct about the 16/3 extension cord.

[Dave.H]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

We have same problem here, first tried GFI plugs would blow GFI. Moved extension cord to clothes dryer plug works OK! Thanks

Um.... I hope this is a gas drier plug you connected to and not a 220 volt electric outlet

[bdreinv]

Whoops should have said clothes washer outlet! Thanks

[Dave.H]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

Whoops should have said clothes washer outlet! Thanks

There you go!

[lefoster]

great info in this thread, as I have wondered about type/size of extension cord when plugging into my house before a trip. mainly to cool the frig.
I have about 40 ft to go from my power cord to house. I have a 30amp RV power cord, use an adapter to fit into extension cord.

so, in theory, you want the house breaker to trip before extension cord is overloaded? correct? so extension cord should have higher amp rating than house breaker that governs the outlet you are using???

[norty1]

Yes unless you want the extension cord to act as a breaker? Anytime I use an extension cord, I have a habit of feeling the cord and connectors oin each end checking for heat.

It it is to warm to my hand, then it is to small a cord or a bad connection somewhere.