Cord reel replacement

[jestal]

I am in need of replacing my power cord. It got damaged while plugged in.

Has anyone replaced just the cord and/or any recommendations on sources. i found a few on-line but always looking for one that someone has had success with. Is this an opportunity to upgrade the cord reel with a superior unit or is the factory piece as good as it gets. No complaints with the reel itself just the cord is a bit chewed up.

[jeffnjen]

If you don’t find a superior reel, pretty sure you can easily replace the cord

[RubiconTrail]

I agree with Jeff, the cord can be replaced without replacing the cord reel, as long as it took no damage.

I would go to an electrical supply house for the cord and plug. There are wide variances in quality of wire and insulation, plug quality, etc. By buying at a supply house I can be sure of the brand/quality. Carol or Belden SOOW cord and Hubbell or Leviton plug, for example.

I've had these cord reels apart a few times. They're pretty easy to wire if you are mechanical/electrical at all.

John

[buddy110]

E trailer sells a pigtailed, 36' cord that you can swap out with ease. The red, black and white are 6 gauge and the green 8. There is a small access panel located in the spool of the reel. Just remove that, add 4 ring terminals and attach them to the labeled poles. EZPZ.

[Mwoodofd]

I can't find the thread, but someone just went through the same problem, and it seems there were several posts on the thread with replacement parts, etc - I will keep looking.

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

I can't find the thread, but someone just went through the same problem, and it seems there were several posts on the thread with replacement parts, etc - I will keep looking.

That would be me

[Gary.Jones]

What makes our cords different than many is the amount of flexibility there is in the wire. Watch out.... you can find 50A capable power cords that are as stiff as a board. I would not order anything without being able to test its flexibility.

On that thread that someone else started, PP: on line parts had the whole reel and cord, OEM replacement, for about $350. You should also call National Indoor RV or any other good repair/parts company and see what the OEM cord costs. I have been stunned to find that some parts from Entegra are much cheaper than they are from other more public sources.

Gary

[jestal]

The flexibility issue is what I am concerned about also, Gary. I have been happy with the OEM cord so that is good suggestion. I just wondered if someone knew of a cord reel that was superior in some way that I might realize an improvement while replacing the cord.

Buddy110 I was not going to go into details...but...just so you know that forgetting to unplug is not the most knuckle headed thing to do......I ran over the cord lying in the snow with my two stage snow blower. Still not sure how it snagged it because I did pick the auger up but it still managed to snag it. The OEM cord is pretty tough. Lots of winding and gashing of the cover but no conductors were exposed so no sparks or anything. Despite nearly ripping the outer skin off in spots the cord still works and is somewhat serviceable after two rolls of electrical tape! I definitely am going to replace it as it is bound to be a hazard at some point.

[jestal]

Have you had an opportunity to tell if the flexibility in the cold is as good as the OEM cord??? Per John's comments, does the wire printing identify the brand and type of wire, etc.? Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by buddy110

E trailer sells a pigtailed, 36' cord that you can swap out with ease. The red, black and white are 6 gauge and the green 8. There is a small access panel located in the spool of the reel. Just remove that, add 4 ring terminals and attach them to the labeled poles. EZPZ.

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by jestal

Have you had an opportunity to tell if the flexibility in the cold is as good as the OEM cord??? Per John's comments, does the wire printing identify the brand and type of wire, etc.? Thanks for the feedback.

I actually never installed it. I took the real apart intending to install it, then traded in for an Anthem

[jestal]

So I need to drive off without unplugging to "justify" upgrading to a brand new coach..?? Just chewing up the cord is not good enough?

Originally Posted by buddy110

I actually never installed it. I took the real apart intending to install it, then traded in for an Anthem

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by jestal

So I need to drive off without unplugging to "justify" upgrading to a brand new coach..?? Just chewing up the cord is not good enough?

That's my methodology