Lurker52
at large
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Hi All,
We are going to our daughters for Christmas (Panama City Fl.) in the motorhome. We will mainly be sleeping in the coach. I will have to park about a 100' from the house. I want to plug into the house (probable 15 amp) My RV is 50 amp and I have a 25' cord. I also have a 25' 30 Amp extension cord. So I need another 50'. I am thinking of making a 50' extension from exterior romex (12/2) wire with a 30 amp plug on one end a standard house hold plug on the other end. This will be cheaper than buying another 50' of RV cord. Way cheaper.
I am aware that I will only have limited power, but we only will be running a few lights and maybe the TV a bit. I want to avoid using the generator.
Any thoughts or other ideas.
Thanks as always
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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Assuming you do not plan on running the A/C and for a one time thing, I don't see anything wrong with your plan. Shouldn't be much voltage drop, even if they happen to have a 20 amp circuit available. Might even be able to run the A/C if they have 20 amp, and you run very little else.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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I would get 75 feet of 12/2 w/ground. Install a 15/20 amp cord body and install a 50 amp cord body. This would eliminate the use of the 30 amp cord. Why? Every connection whether it be a cod body or terminations can create problems.
As you stated, you will need to manage power usage by shutting off 120 volt water heater, if equipped and running most appliances on propane.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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I would not go to all of that trouble. For less than $30 you can buy a 12/3 outdoor extension cord from Amazon. Romex does not lay flat and is a PIA to roll up afterwards. With an extension cord you can roll it up when you are finished and keep it for the next time it is needed.
50' extension cord
Of course you could also buy the 100' cord and eliminate all connections.
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MountainAir05
New Mexico
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I think you are off by a long way.
100 foot run at say 20 amp max draw would required a 10 gauge wire and you would only have 114 volt at the end. I did not use your motor home wire since wire size is unknown.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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The power drop will be fine for a few lights and a TV. These items have a wide range of acceptable voltage swings. You might have a problem with high draw items like a compressor but even with a lower voltage an electric space heater would be OK also.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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rgatijnet1 wrote:I would not go to all of that trouble. For less than $30 you can buy a 12/3 outdoor extension cord from Amazon. Romex does not lay flat and is a PIA to roll up afterwards. With an extension cord you can roll it up when you are finished and keep it for the next time it is needed.
50' extension cord
Of course you could also buy the 100' cord and eliminate all connections. This is a good plan. Very doubtful you can run any high draw appliances but from your description this is OK and many of us have done the same.
Most household plugs are multiple 15A plugs on a 20A circuit. So additional house loads and the CB trips. Therefore turn off the CB and find out what other plugs are on the circuit.
For $70 you can also buy 2x 30A RV cords. While you still have the above house circuit you'll also have additional 30A options.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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BTW For years I used 2x 25' 50A plus 2x 25' 30A cords at my sons house (100' total) and no single A/C issues. However the plug is adjacent to the house CB panel.
Several years ago we upgraded the plug to 50A and I purchased 2x 25' 50A cords since we were going to be there for additional hot summer days.
No voltage issues with either set of cords.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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For just lights and a TV any extension cord will be fine. No need to over do this.
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time2roll
Southern California
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Just get a standard 50' extension with #12 wire from HD/Lowes/Ace and enjoy your RV.
Set the fridge and water heater on propane.
Any use of the hairdryer, microwave, heatpump could trip the house breaker. Especially on a shared circuit.
Furnace, lights or small tv should not present any issues.
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