Max length for 50 amp run?

[HamboneTHW]

So the geniuses that wired our house put the panel on the opposite side of the house from the driveway. I want to install a 50 amp receptacle at the house. When measuring, it will be about an 80' run of cord from the receptacle to the coach. Voltage calculations are showing a 1.34 voltage drop for 85' of 6/3 on 2 legs of 120 volts. Will this cause any issues for anything on the coach?

Already pricing power cords... This is gonna suck... But the convenience of being able to plug in at the house the day before leaving... Priceless

[Triangle Drifter]

Why do you need 50amp service from house to trailer? I assume you want to chill the fridge & possibly top off the battery bank.

Simply step the 50amp shore power down to a 20amp or 15amp, the portable genny plug, & turn the breakers off for everything except the charger & fridge.

[jacwjames]

I think it would be fine. ~1.5 voltage drop isn't a big issue. My progressive will not drop out until the voltage gets below 104.

I monitor my power daily, am plugged into the 50 amp receptacle, the voltage varies from 115-120. I have a couple of occasions when the power has dropped to below 104 and the surge protector dropped out.

[Sonic]

+/- 5% is perfectly safe. As jacwjames indicated, I would use a good EMS that will protect the coach against dangerous drops or surges.
6 gauge should be fine at that length, but it never hurts to make sure the cord isn't getting hot if you're ever drawing a lot of current.
The other option of course is to have an electrician run a 50 amp line over to the driveway side of the house.

[Coarsegold]

I am in the same spot as you, using 80' to my 50 amp outlet and no issue observed.

[Pusherman]

Should not be a problem. Voltage drop over distance is a function of amperage draw. Do you really think you will draw 100 Amps (120V @ 50A x 2 legs) that often sitting in your driveway? I surely would not. 6/3wg AWG wire should be more than ample. Not to worry. The geniuses did just fine.

[hohenwald48]

I have a pretty good run to connect my 50A motorhome too. I just went with a 30A connection to save a little money on wire and such. I don't really need 50A in the driveway to run the fridge, charger and one A/C. 30A works just fine.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

I have a pretty good run to connect my 50A motorhome too. I just went with a 30A connection to save a little money on wire and such. I don't really need 50A in the driveway to run the fridge, charger and one A/C. 30A works just fine.

I figured that I might as well. I know that I could save by running 30 amp, but better to be able to run whatever the wife wants and not have to worry. We also have some friends with an RV that come to stay for a week and like to stay on their coach, so this way they can run any and everything as well.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Sonic

+/- 5% is perfectly safe. As jacwjames indicated, I would use a good EMS that will protect the coach against dangerous drops or surges.
6 gauge should be fine at that length, but it never hurts to make sure the cord isn't getting hot if you're ever drawing a lot of current.
The other option of course is to have an electrician run a 50 amp line over to the driveway side of the house.

I used to do electrical work. I'm not a fan of trenching wire and I like the traditional braided 6/3 better than the weatherproof wire, so then you're talking PVC work as well. A black extension cord temporarily won't both me. This isn't our forever home, otherwise I might look into doing that. The Navy still moves me every 2 to 3 years.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Sonic

+/- 5% is perfectly safe. As jacwjames indicated, I would use a good EMS that will protect the coach against dangerous drops or surges.
6 gauge should be fine at that length, but it never hurts to make sure the cord isn't getting hot if you're ever drawing a lot of current.
The other option of course is to have an electrician run a 50 amp line over to the driveway side of the house.

Sonic,

Do you have a recommendation on which EMS is best? Looking to install one anyway, as you never know what the state of a RV park is.

[Luv2go]

Originally Posted by HamboneTHW

I figured that I might as well. I know that I could save by running 30 amp, but better to be able to run whatever the wife wants and not have to worry. We also have some friends with an RV that come to stay for a week and like to stay on their coach, so this way they can run any and everything as well.

I agree, you're going to the trouble of installing it, why not put in what the coach needs.

On the Canyon Star we routinely use 70' of cord when parked at the in-laws in Atlanta and run both A/C's and all the other stuff like normal. Have a Surge Guard and it has never complained. Of course it helps that their utility runs high to begin with (125V L-N).

BTW I have the Surge Guard but would recommend the Progressive unit, they have a better warranty and service IMHO.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Luv2go

I agree, you're going to the trouble of installing it, why not put in what the coach needs.

On the Canyon Star we routinely use 70' of cord when parked at the in-laws in Atlanta and run both A/C's and all the other stuff like normal. Have a Surge Guard and it has never complained. Of course it helps that their utility runs high to begin with (125V L-N).

BTW I have the Surge Guard but would recommend the Progressive unit, they have a better warranty and service IMHO.

Do you have any specs on the Progressive unit? Sorry to play dumb, but is this a hardwired unit? Or does it plug into shore power, then the cord into it like a home use surge protector?

[Hgrace56]

3% point to point
5% service to end
Those are NEC guidelines

[nehog]

6 AWG is sufficient generally. You could go 4 AWG if it is a really long run.

Voltage calculations are showing a 1.34 voltage drop for 85' of 6/3 on 2 legs of 120 volts. Will this cause any issues for anything on the coach?

A 1.34 drop is nominal, and won't cause any issues.