Electric cord extension? November 25, 2025, 01:38:06 pm We're going to be visiting some folks in Colorado and it's going to be hot when we're there. I could buy another 10 gauge electrical cable as an extension to reach the house but I'm wondering what the maximum total length is to be able to run the air conditioner in the RV?I know a standard extension cord it's not sufficient.
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #1 – November 25, 2025, 01:57:17 pm I bought a 25 ft 10 ga 30 Amp with 3 prongs matching the rig's. Needed a dogbone at the distal end.Worked well at Las Vegas in October. YMMVJoel 2 Likes
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #2 – November 25, 2025, 02:23:39 pm At my son's house, I use my RV's 25ft 30 amp cord, a dog bone, and then a 50 ft 10 gauge cord plugged into a standard garage 120 outlet. It'll run my AC or a plug in space heater. I tried the heat pump and it blew the house circuit, but not my RV circuit.Linda 2 Likes
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #3 – November 25, 2025, 02:25:47 pm I have used a combination of the stock cord along with 25' and 50' extension cords, for a total of 100' to run our A/C when visiting friends. When using a 20-amp circuit, set the refrigerator to run on propane and turn off the converter to prevent overloading and tripping the circuit breaker. I use a 30-amp to 20-amp converter when using a 20-amp plug.Amazon.com: Kohree RV Adapter Plug 30 Amp to 15 Amp 110V, RV Power Electrical...Avoid using this type of converter; they tend to overheat and melt, especially when running the A/C.Amazon.com: Conntek RV 30 Amp Male to 15/20 Amp Plug Adapter : Tools & Home...Larry 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #4 – November 25, 2025, 05:38:42 pm I have the shore power cord attached inside the cord storage area, not the newer Marinco plugs. So I use an adaptor like what Larry said not to use, but only for low power usage. (tools and lights inside the motorhome). For air conditioning I use one similar to this: Amazon.com: AOWEITOUR 30 Amp to 15 Amp 110 Volt RV Adapter Cord, NEMA 5-15P.... Mine has a light to indicate power. The two sockets are separated by 1 foot, so heat doesn't build up in one condensed area. I carry and use a 12 ga. regular (medium duty) extension cord, but only Air/Con, or 400 W heaters. Again the converter isn't doing much what with the always on LIF batteries and solar. At home I have a 10 gauge 25' extension cord to plug my rig's cord into. That is about 52' total. I use the cheap type adaptor unless I'm running aircon. RonB 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #5 – November 25, 2025, 08:22:30 pm This Fall on a trip with a stop at a friend's place in Grants Pass, OR, we encountered daytime temperatures in the low 90's. We tried hooking up to an outdoor 20A circuit with a standard 25' outdoor extension adapted to the end of our 30A cord, and the internal-mounted surge protector kept shutting down power when the voltage would drop to about 106V. Moving the rig close enough we could reach the outlet with our 30A cord and adapter kept the voltage drop low enough the A/C kept working. Our A/C does have a soft-start installed.Steve
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #6 – November 25, 2025, 08:42:07 pm Quote from: Steve - November 25, 2025, 08:22:30 pmThis Fall on a trip with a stop at a friend's place in Grants Pass, OR, we encountered daytime temperatures in the low 90's. We tried hooking up to an outdoor 20A circuit with a standard 25' outdoor extension adapted to the end of our 30A cord, and the internal-mounted surge protector kept shutting down power when the voltage would drop to about 106V. Moving the rig close enough we could reach the outlet with our 30A cord and adapter kept the voltage drop low enough the A/C kept working. Our A/C does have a soft-start installed.The voltage drop may have been caused by a long wire run in the house, where the 12-gauge wiring could not supply full power to the outlet. I have had low voltage problems using house outlets, even when just using the single, stock power cord. These are situations when I use the surge-protector bypass switch. The A/Cs soft-start has prevented tripping the house breaker or damaging the A/C in this situation.Our RV power and extension cords use 10-gauge wire, needed when using a 30-amp RV outlet, which is normally wired with 10-gauge or heavier gauge wire.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #7 – November 27, 2025, 10:15:22 am Shortly after we moved to Paso Robles (almost 2 1/2 years ago now!), I had a 30 amp RV outlet installed. We had problems blowing the garage outlet breaker at our previous home in Tehachapi. Really glad I did that. We don’t use it often but we are this morning since seven family members are visiting for the holidays. We gave them our house and moved out to the RV with the cats. Here’s what the inverter is reading this morning with the fridge running on AC, an electric heater on low, and brewing a pot of coffee. 1 Likes
Re: Electric cord extension? Reply #8 – November 27, 2025, 05:18:33 pm I’ve been using the LD power cord attached to our external surge protector and a short dogbone to a 110 power pedestal next to the rig that resides in the driveway. This has worked well until recently. The driveway is just in front of the garage. Recently this arrangement became problematic as the dogbone became charred and fairly hot when our home electrical system failed. As the house was built in 1938, and had breakers installed to replace the old school fuses decades ago, it has become imperative to upgrade the electrical panel again.We will have a dedicated 30amp RV outlet installed just inside the main garage door and within reach of the OEM LD power cord. I will avoid using the dogbone altogether. I will, however, be purchasing a 15’ 30amp extension cord in the event that the rig’s cord will need a little extra reach.This is the power cord that I have chosen to purchase on Amazon. Amazon.com: PlugSaf 15 FT 30 Amp RV Extension Cord Outdoor with Grip Handle,... Otherwise here is the dogbone I currently have. Amazon.com: Camco Camper/RV Dogbone Electrical Adapter - Features 15-Amp...Kent 3 Likes
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