Are 50amp extension cords a bad idea?

[borismkogan]

I drive a EV and got a juice box charger with a 50amp plug. My problem is that I can't position my FR3 on the pad in a way that let's me park my EV close enough to the electrical post to plug the juice box into the available 50amp out let AND reach the car.
So I was thinking of buying a 10 foot extension cost to let me plug in and position the juice box closer to the car if that makes sense. But I also don't want to burn anything or melt my cords, etc. Any risk of damaging my charger and / or my car? TIA!
Pics for reference.

[cavie]

No problem as long as you use a cord of equal or greater size of the cord on the Juice Box. Just buy a standard 25' 50 amp RV extension cord from Amazon.

[borismkogan]

Originally Posted by cavie

No problem as long as you use a cord of equal or greater size of the cord on the Juice Box

Oh good. Now do I figure out the cord "size"? Does that really mean cord rating or capacity to carry current? Thank you!

[NXR]

I bought this one because my cord won't reach the outlet on the house once I hook up the car the day before. Works great and is sized correctly. I coil it up and put it on the bottom of another compartment in case I need an extension when on the road.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F17QD9O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ray

[cavie]

Originally Posted by borismkogan

Oh good. Now do I figure out the cord "size"? Does that really mean cord rating or capacity to carry current? Thank you!

Yes, the size is the gauge of the wire. In this case it is #6 GA. It's good for 50 amps. Get a 25' RV extention cord. Amazon is your friend.

[borismkogan]

Originally Posted by cavie

Yes, the size is the gauge of the wire. In this case it is #6 GA. It's good for 50 amps. Get a 25' RV extention cord. Amazon is your friend.

Thank you and thanks everyone else! Super helpful. Got one ordered!

[frank4711]

Just got this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

[NXR]

Whatever you buy, consider getting the longest you can afford and just carrying it with you. Once my pedestal was bad so I was able to use the extension to reach the unused pedestal next door. A total of 50' of cords just reached.

If you do get in that situation, many private campgrounds will loan you an extension cord if they have one.

FWIW,

Ray

[llr]

Keep in mind even though the panel has a 20, 30 and 50 amp it may not have the capacity to run both at the the same time.

[Chuck_S]

Just watch the wire size and plug construction but 50 amp RV/Marine power cords are available many places. Prices seem to increase as you move from Amazon thru Lowes/Home Depot to RV and finally to Yacht supply stores. Often the same cords but based on your disposable income. Hard to plead poverty with a Prevost (sic) home or 52 foot sailboat.

Just 'cuz it's 240v and has 4 pins doesn't guarantee it's right. Bought a new slide in electric range from Lowes at Christmas (dual ovens!) and they sent a 250v "dryer" power cord with it... Yeah, it had 4 pins but was only 30 amps and the pins wouldn't fit the socket. The correct 50a "range" power cord has the same plug pattern as a 50a RV plug.

-- Chuck

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Just watch the wire size and plug construction but 50 amp RV/Marine power cords are available many places. Prices seem to increase as you move from Amazon thru Lowes/Home Depot to RV and finally to Yacht supply stores. Often the same cords but based on your disposable income. Hard to plead poverty with a Prevost (sic) home or 52 foot sailboat.

Just 'cuz it's 240v and has 4 pins doesn't guarantee it's right. Bought a new slide in electric range from Lowes at Christmas (dual ovens!) and they sent a 250v "dryer" power cord with it... Yeah, it had 4 pins but was only 30 amps and the pins wouldn't fit the socket. The correct 50a "range" power cord has the same plug pattern as a 50a RV plug.

-- Chuck

Good reminder. Plugs and outlets/receptacles have NEMA identifiers

A 50 amp RV plugs into a NEMA 14-50R receptacle, and the male end is a NEMA 14-50P.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...3&d=1512312835

[Chuck_S]

Power cord fittings can be repaired with the right fittings -- Wmtire has noted the specs. Or if you have the right wire and wrong plugs you can fit them. Marine/RV ends are weather proof -- or should be. Replaced a number of them on boats. These seem to weather poorly in salt air.

-- Chuck

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by borismkogan

Oh good. Now do I figure out the cord "size"? Does that really mean cord rating or capacity to carry current? Thank you!

As long as you buy a commercially made RV 50 amp cord you don't need to worry about cord size. It will be the proper size if it has 50 amp (4 prong) fittings. The problem arises when you try to make your own cord or adapt a 30 amp cord to work. The cords recommended above are good choices.

[frank4711]

So to be clear if you buy a 50 amp cord to go with a 50 amp extension cord it may not work because there is no industry standard ... any examples of 50 amp cords that will not work with 50 amp cords? these seem to be common #'s 6/3 and 8/1 AWG copper wires or 6AWG/3C+8AWG/1C (4-wire) or 6/3 + 8/1-gauge wires or Hard Service Rated: ETL Listed, 6/8 gauge or Type 6/3 and 8/1 STW or Type 6/3 and 8/1 STW or Heavy-duty 6/3 + 8/1 STW each example is a different 50 amp for sale thanks

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

As long as you buy a commercially made RV 50 amp cord you don't need to worry about cord size. It will be the proper size if it has 50 amp (4 prong) fittings. The problem arises when you try to make your own cord or adapt a 30 amp cord to work. The cords recommended above are good choices.

Originally Posted by frank4711

So to be clear if you buy a 50 amp cord to go with a 50 amp extension cord it may not work because there is no industry standard ... any examples of 50 amp cords that will not work with 50 amp cords? these seem to be common #'s 6/3 and 8/1 AWG copper wires or 6AWG/3C+8AWG/1C (4-wire) or 6/3 + 8/1-gauge wires or Hard Service Rated: ETL Listed, 6/8 gauge or Type 6/3 and 8/1 STW or Type 6/3 and 8/1 STW or Heavy-duty 6/3 + 8/1 STW each example is a different 50 amp for sale thanks

Yes .... Thanks Woody

[cavie]

Originally Posted by frank4711

So to be clear if you buy a 50 amp cord to go with a 50 amp extension cord it may not work because there is no industry standard ... any examples of 50 amp cords that will not work with 50 amp cords? these seem to be common #'s 6/3 and 8/1 AWG copper wires or 6AWG/3C+8AWG/1C (4-wire) or 6/3 + 8/1-gauge wires or Hard Service Rated: ETL Listed, 6/8 gauge or Type 6/3 and 8/1 STW or Type 6/3 and 8/1 STW or Heavy-duty 6/3 + 8/1 STW each example is a different 50 amp for sale thanks

All 50 amp 240 volt cords will plug into each other.

There is a difference in the insulation. The plugs are all the same. There is very much an industry standard. The lettering, such as STW, describes the type of insulation on the cord and it designation for use. Too much to get involved with in this forum. trying to keep it simple for the average Joe.

Male plug: NEMA 14-50P. female receptical 14-50R.
Cords: 4 wire 3 conductors #6cu and 1 conductor #8cu.

[formerFR]

unless your EV car charger is going to be pulling 50amps from each hot leg of the Shore Power cord, or extension cord, you have little worries, as most EV Level 2 chargers that can make use of a 50amp RV outlet are only using 20 to 30amps per hot leg... no where NEAR what the RV might use.

We have an extension adapter for our '14 Nissan Leaf that makes use of a 50amp RV outlet, yet the outlet is wired to a 30amp double-pole breaker set, since that's all it needs. We also use another extension adapter for our clothes dryer, to the same 50amp RV outlet, which is only a 3-wire 240v dryer.

[nrkmann]

Make sure one cord is for outside use and not for someone to drag their arc-welder around the shop.

[stormer]

Originally Posted by llr

Keep in mind even though the panel has a 20, 30 and 50 amp it may not have the capacity to run both at the the same time.

But, generally, if there is a circuit breaker for each of the outlets, your good. We regularily run 50amp (rv) and 20amp extension cord. (space heater inside). But yeah, I guess just because it's there doesn't mean you got it. But I've not encountered that issue yet if there are separate circuit breakers. But you certainly made me think about it. ha.

[Branch711]

Can i use a 50 amp surge protector on a 30 amp line for surge protection?