Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-30-2014, 12:10 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 147
120v extension cord from generator to 30a RV cord

We have a FR Stealth with the built in Onan and solar kit. I plan to sell my Yamaha 2400is generator and get the 1000w smaller and lighter model for times when I want to charge batteries or use outlets and don't want to fire up the noisy Onan.

I would like to get the 1000w generator about 75 to 100' away from the camper so we don't hear it at all. Can I run a 50' or 75' 120v heavy duty extension cord from the generator to the 30a RV cord (using an adapter) without resistance and heat issues?

I would buy one of these and skip the RV cord but I cannot find one that converts to a 120v plug.

RV Power Cord Adapter 30Amp Male to 50amp 125 250 Volt Locking Female Connector | eBay

Thanks for any advice.
hammick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 12:19 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Bryce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Lil's Hair Salon and Peanut-eria (Georgia)
Posts: 150
I think what you are looking for is a 30 amp to 15 amp plug convertor
like this
Road Power 09522-33-88 30-15-Amp RV Power Adapter: ATV, Motorcycle, & RV Accessories : Walmart.com


$5.47 at walmart.

your camper is already 120v (same as normal house outlets), it's just has a 30amp plug for greater draw on the line for things like the AC.

get the thickest 15amp cord you can get so it's not a fire hazard at those lengths.
__________________
'01 F-250 PSD CC 4x4 SB
'08 Wildwood LE 26TBSS

State's we've RVed in
Bryce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 12:21 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 147
Thanks. I already have a couple of those adapters just wondering if I can run the length of 120v extension cord I mentioned without resistance or heat issues.
hammick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 12:26 PM   #4
Moderator Emeritus
 
Kaadk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
Nothing on that adapter looks like a 50 amp to me, so I don't know what they're talking about. It looks more like my 30A power cord, just a few feet long instead of 25' long.

Ok, that aside, you want to run your cords for whatever you're rated at. If you're 30A, run a 30A extension cable all the way to the Genny. If you're 50A, run a 50A cable all the way to the genny.

Then use standard RV adapters (like these: Electrical Adapters, Replacement Power Receptacles, Power Adapters & Connectors - Camping World ) to connect to the genny.

I believe there are some generators out there that can even supply directly to a 30A so you don't need to use an adapter, but I don't know if they're in the size you're looking for.
__________________
There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
Kaadk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 12:34 PM   #5
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
 
TURBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
Use this to determine your question.

http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html

TURBS

Sabre owners united!
TURBS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 12:37 PM   #6
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
 
TURBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
Here's 18awg at 100 feet at 8amps draw


http://www.calculator.net/voltage-dr...es=8&x=63&y=20

TURBS

Sabre owners united!
TURBS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 12:48 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 147
Thanks. I have a nice heavy duty cord that I bought years ago for an electric powerwasher. I think it is 12ga.

If I get the generator I think I will test out the cord using my meter with various loads to see what the voltage drop is.

I'm assuming there will be minimal to no drop caused by the 30a RV plug.
hammick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 12:56 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Bryce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Lil's Hair Salon and Peanut-eria (Georgia)
Posts: 150
Quote:
Originally Posted by hammick View Post
Thanks. I have a nice heavy duty cord that I bought years ago for an electric powerwasher. I think it is 12ga.

If I get the generator I think I will test out the cord using my meter with various loads to see what the voltage drop is.

I'm assuming there will be minimal to no drop caused by the 30a RV plug.
At 15amps (assuming your generator can put it out and you try to draw that much), you'll loose about 5volts over a 100ft run of 12ga wire.

I think that would be fine power-wise, I'd just keep an eye on it at first and make sure it's not getting hot. if it is, step up to a thicker gauge wire.
__________________
'01 F-250 PSD CC 4x4 SB
'08 Wildwood LE 26TBSS

State's we've RVed in
Bryce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 01:12 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 120
Quote:
Originally Posted by hammick View Post
I would like to get the 1000w generator about 75 to 100' away from the camper
1000 / 120 = 8.3 amps.

With a steady 8.3 amp draw you would get 115 volts at the end of a 100 foot 14 gauge extension cord.

With a steady 8.3 amp draw you would get 117 volts at the end of a 100 foot 12 gauge extension cord.

Voltage drop calculator

-Jeff
unyalli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 01:28 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 147
I looked at my extension cord and it is 50' and says 12/3 on the cord so I'm assuming that means 12ga with three wires. Here's a photo. Thanks for all the replies.

hammick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 02:06 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 51
Extension cord

We were parked in a friends back yard a few years ago and ran 50 feet of 30 amp RV cord and 2 25' 12 gauge extension cords. We ran the air with no problem and had 116 volts inside the MH. Guess you can get away with anything. Never did figure out what house circuit we were on but never blew a fuse.
leland1950 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2014, 03:01 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Roxboro, NC
Posts: 267
Quote:
Originally Posted by hammick View Post
We have a FR Stealth with the built in Onan and solar kit. I plan to sell my Yamaha 2400is generator and get the 1000w smaller and lighter model for times when I want to charge batteries or use outlets and don't want to fire up the noisy Onan.

I would like to get the 1000w generator about 75 to 100' away from the camper so we don't hear it at all. Can I run a 50' or 75' 120v heavy duty extension cord from the generator to the 30a RV cord (using an adapter) without resistance and heat issues?

I would buy one of these and skip the RV cord but I cannot find one that converts to a 120v plug.

RV Power Cord Adapter 30Amp Male to 50amp 125 250 Volt Locking Female Connector | eBay

Thanks for any advice.
Just to make sure you understand a 1000 watt gen want run a AC unit. The voltage drop at startup will kill the compressor in the AC if it starts at all.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forest River Forums mobile app
__________________
2007 GMC 2500 Duramax Crew Cab LB
2008 5th Wheel Cardinal 36LE
R Whitlow is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
generator


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:33 PM.