Is there a more flexible cord for 50 amp service? The cord I have is massive and very hard to snake out of the compartment, not to mention heavy. Someone had talked about a cord, that was much more flexible but somewhat costly and I can't find the thread it was mentioned on. My front step doubles as a cord box when we're on the road and I coil it up in it now but sure would be nice to have one thats not so much of a battle.
Get a 30 amp for when you don't need all that power, much lighter and more flexible than the 50 amp.
I have a 30 amp cord that I plug into it now but for the times I need the 50 amps I'd like a more flexible cord, we have a house style refrigerator, 2-15,000 btu carriers, microwave, and a freezer in the bay as well as a 20 gallon electric hot water heater and assorted stuff like coffeepot and toaster etc.
We carry both 50 amp and 30 amp cords. Unless 50 amp is available we use the 30 amp cord. We have a basement AC (with 2 20 amp circuits), 1500 watt electric water heater, microwave convection oven, house type refrigerator, toaster, coffee makers, etc. We DO have to practice load sharing when using a 30 amp service. Such as: if we need to run the convection oven, we make sure the water heater is off and turn off secondary circuit on AC. We have amp meters in our panel above the refrigerator and monitor amp levels to stay below 30 amp. Just takes a little practice.
For a more flexible cable, I have seen heavy gauge SO or SJ cable (extension cord type cable) in bulk. It is more flexible, but I am not sure about code to use it as an RV entrance cable. Jack
I made mine from a #6 (if I remember right) 4 wire extension cord bought from a electrician supply house (use the correct gauge for 50amps per leg at 50ft). It is very flexible and easy to handle. It don't have a name for the cord. Good Luck, TomC
One thing that makes it a bit easier is to make the cord removable. Mine has a twist / lock (Hubbell) female end on it. It doesn't make it more flexible, but it does make it easier to handle. I wonder if the more flexible cables' insulation is as tough and durable (being run over, exposure to sunlight, etc) as the cables designed for RV use.
David
I appreciate the information, I'll take a look for the #6, 4 conductor cord at our electric shop, I'm also going to look for a way of setting up a panel to monitor our amperage use, all good ideas.
Cody, Ocean refrigerated containers have very flexable heavy cords that are normally 50 feet long. The hardware for these cords is also very good quality and readily available. We coil these cords into a very small area for storage. They are well insulated for the high seas. They are either #2 or #4 wire in 4 strand. I have one on my 50 amp buzz box and it will really put our some fire. Try a commercial trailer repair shop.
Hi Cody,
You can always splurge for the Bling Bling...
http://www.glendinningprods.com/rlc.html
Nick-
I got the Bling Bling... Glendinning, 50amp cord. Limp as a noodle and ez to handle. Motor does all the work, stays nice and neat inside a round container.
You can make your own, save some money, drag it around the dirty and throw it in the bay with all the other stuff - thats what most do on the cheap.
Todd
Go to lazy days or camping world. They have exactly what your looking for. A 50 amp cord about the size of a half dollar in diameter and flexes like rubber. REALLY flexible. Nothing like my older cable which I wish I wouldn't have used.
If I remember right 25 feet was about 90 bucks.
Ace
If you haven't found what you need, maybe check this out. I don't have one but it sure sounds great. On sale too, just scroll down page. http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/
Paul
Sorry Dreamscape, but I have to disagree.
Be
very very careful. The one I found on this link is listed as 50 amp, 125 volt, 50 ft. three wire cord on sale for $245. It is definitely
not what you need. It will only provide 120 volts. It will not be correct to use for a 240/120 volt 50 amp service for a conversion.
Richard
Quote from: Dreamscape on May 18, 2007, 05:20:44 AM
If you haven't found what you need, maybe check this out. I don't have one but it sure sounds great. On sale too, just scroll down page. http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/
Paul
Good Point, sorry for the confusion.
Paul
one of the more FLEXIBLE type power cords is - 6/3 8/1 STW type cord
see--> http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-power-cords/rv-power-cords.htm