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extension cords

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Miscellaneous / Off-topic
Forum Discription: Pull a chair up to the campfire and chat. No religious, political or weapons talk, please.
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=895
Printed Date: 01 May 2024 at 11:17pm
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Topic: extension cords
Posted By: yizit
Subject: extension cords
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2009 at 12:21am
Is there a problem using a 12 gage extension cord in conjunction with the 30 amp cord that comes with the Pod?  I'm assuming that running the AC would be out, but running any of the other appliances should be ok.  We need more then 60' of cord while park at home. 

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Former owner of 2009 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek C190Popular





Replies:
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2009 at 2:49am
If you don't use the AC or the microwave you should be okay.  You will have a power loss going that far but I don't know how much.  This is just what I THINK.  I really don't know.

Terry


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RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2009 at 7:46am
Terry is correct.  12 gauge will be fine for charging the battery and running the lights when you are packing for a trip.  Voltage drop increases over distance and with higher loads, which is why you don't want to use the A/C or microwave.

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2009 at 12:39pm
Wow... I guess that things are different all over.  In Ontario provincial parks, the power posts are shared between sites and I typically need 50-70' of power cord (sometimes longer, even when strategically parked).  I have just over 110' of power cord for the r-pod and occasionally need it all...

As a side note for Ontario residents, Campkins in Whitby sells 50' 30amp extension cords for about $70.


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2009 at 9:48pm
Thanks for the responses.  We ended up buying 2 30 amp RV cords, which will give us 90'.  I'm assuming we should be ok with running everything with the 3 connected together.  We wouldn't be using the mico with AC.  But on those hot days (the few we get in WI..LOL) we could keep the pod cool while working in there, or if we have overnight guests.

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Former owner of 2009 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek C190Popular




Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2009 at 12:04am
Don't be surprised if you can't run the AC.  That is a long distance.

Terry


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RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2009 at 1:05pm

Its within normal limits, assuming you have 120 volts at the outlet.  Over 90 feet with a 13 amp load you'll get a 2.3% drop, or about 117 volts inside the 'pod.  Don't use the microwave at the same time, that will drop you into a low-voltage condition.

Do you have a 30 amp RV outlet at home?



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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2009 at 11:19pm
Yes we do have a 30 amp rv outlet.  I'll let you know next spring if the AC won't work.  It'll be used rarely, we just wanted something with more amps then a heavy duty extension cord.  Hopefully, the AC will work.  Not concerned about the microwave working.  Thanks for the input.

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Former owner of 2009 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek C190Popular




Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 8:58pm
Originally posted by techntrek

Terry is correct.  12 gauge will be fine for charging the battery and running the lights when you are packing for a trip.  Voltage drop increases over distance and with higher loads, which is why you don't want to use the A/C or microwave.


What about the fridge? Will cooling the fridge while packing drop the voltage too much?

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Big Cat
2017 179


Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 6:37am
The fridge draw on 120V is minimal so no problem there. Don't be mislead by the fact that the A/C turns on and runs. The physics of motors is such that they will keep trying to do their job until they burn up. Measure the voltage at a camper outlet with the A/C running. If it's over 110V your OK. If less than 105V shut it off. 

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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD


Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 7:52am
Thanks, Charlie.

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Big Cat
2017 179


Posted By: Ecaspers
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 1:20pm
Newbie - and lack of knowledge....

Question....I did not realize this on the extension cord and my air conditioner shut off and threw the breaker on the house.  I reset the breaker on the house and everything was working in the house.  The lights were working in the camper.

What do I need to do to reset the air conditioner? Turn the circuit breaker on and off in the camper?  Would that reset it?

Thanks.
Newbie


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Eileen


Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 1:27pm
it has a time delay if shut off unexpectedly. lights working in the camper don't tell us anything, they are 12v. check the breakers in the camper, but usually, they don't trip in series.

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Posted By: Ecaspers
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 10:08pm
Thank you.

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Eileen


Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2017 at 7:46am
You may need a heavier-duty extension cord.  I use a 50' 10-2 with ground.  And you need to be plugged in to at least 15amp circuit.  20amps would be better.

TT


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2010 176
FJ Cruiser


Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2017 at 12:01pm
Yes, a heavier gauge extension cord is best.  The inexpensive ones are 14 ga, too small for loads like the AC.  If the plug gets hot, the cord is too small.  You should have at least a 12 ga cord, 10 ga if the distance is very far



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