!#@$&! 50 Amp Cord

[ralphie]

Okay, so the new FW has a 50a cord. I never realized how hefty they are. I realize it's cold outside, but I could hardly get it pushed into the storage bay when I broke camp. I guess I've seen cord reels advertised for sale; never looked closely at them, but this cord is so stiff I doubt it would roll up on a reel! What does everyone do with these things?

[LVJ58]

Originally Posted by ralphie

Okay, so the new FW has a 50a cord. I never realized how hefty they are. I realize it's cold outside, but I could hardly get it pushed into the storage bay when I broke camp. I guess I've seen cord reels advertised for sale; never looked closely at them, but this cord is so stiff I doubt it would roll up on a reel! What does everyone do with these things?

Know what you mean, the 50A cord on our coach has a large diameter and when it's cold, just have to wrestle that sucker into the bay..lots of fun

[Mr_D]

Some are stiffer than others! I just coil mine up in the bottom of the electrical bay with no problems. But Newmar (as well as others) supposedly uses a more flexible wire than some others.

[Old Scout]

Agree--50 amps cords can be a PITA. My cable reel has performed flawlessly for over 12 years---hot or cold. Seems the 50 cords have a pre-defined coil pattern in them that the cable reel manages to leverage--dont ask me how it knows [smile]....

[gruelens]

Unfortunately, the 50 amp cords I have owned are all temperamental in cold weather. If you have a small bay, you just have to get physical with it. Of course, do your best to be in places where the 50amp cord stows easily due to warm climes.

[mhbell]

Originally Posted by ralphie

Okay, so the new FW has a 50a cord. I never realized how hefty they are. I realize it's cold outside, but I could hardly get it pushed into the storage bay when I broke camp. I guess I've seen cord reels advertised for sale; never looked closely at them, but this cord is so stiff I doubt it would roll up on a reel! What does everyone do with these things?

When I had my 5th wheel I just threw the cord in the truck if we were going to another rv park. if we were stopping somewhere I would lock it in a bay. Yes they are stiff when it is cold.

[Koop]

I'm loving our Glendinning power reel! Sorry, I know I shouldn't gloat.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Koop

I'm loving our Glendinning power reel! Sorry, I know I shouldn't gloat.

What's even BETTER is a Glendenning Cablemaster RLC which doesn't need a reel just a compartment to stuff it into.

Another thing to make sure is that whatever 50 amp power cord you use the casing should be SOOW rated.

If anyone would like to replace their old stiff non-flexible power cord with one that will never give you problems in ANY weather choose THIS ONE. You won't be disappointed.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[LarrytheBear]

I find it a little easier to coil as much as possible before I cram it into the compartment.

[Tetonchief]

You could pick up some of those styro foam pool "noodles" and slice one side from the hole to the outside so you could slip them over the cord. the insulation may help and they are light and could easily store. Maybe need only a couple or 3 for the exposed cord outside the RV????

[aauummm]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

What's even BETTER is a Glendenning Cablemaster RLC which doesn't need a reel just a compartment to stuff it into.

Another thing to make sure is that whatever 50 amp power cord you use the casing should be SOOW rated.

If anyone would like to replace their old stiff non-flexible power cord with one that will never give you problems in ANY weather choose THIS ONE. You won't be disappointed.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Excellent advice. SOOW rated cord stays flexible down to -40F.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Tetonchief

You could pick up some of those styro foam pool "noodles" and slice one side from the hole to the outside so you could slip them over the cord. the insulation may help and they are light and could easily store. Maybe need only a couple or 3 for the exposed cord outside the RV????

I had a 20 amp cord actually melt the insulation as I left it coiled and used a small electric rototiller on it. I still use it after I wrapped it with tape in the thin spots.
Not sure if the same could happen to a 50 amp cord inside the noodles, probably not but I'm not going to chance it.

[Dr4Film]

Not to change the subject of this thread but I remember reading somewhere NOT to leave an extension cord partially coiled up or any 30 or 50 amp shore power cord partially coiled as it causes it to heat up due to the coiling and acting like an electric coil.

Why this happens is beyond my electrical knowledge base so take that information with a grain of salt.

electricity - Effects of a Coiled Cable - Physics Stack Exchange

Danger of coiled extension cord [Archive] - MX-5 Miata Forum

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/questio...0125802AAs2Ufo

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[MartySQ]

oh, it does, we have had a few cords get melted that way due to various son's not knowing about that and trying to have less trip cord when using the hedgehog, etc....of course, it only took 1 time for each son to learn that... we have 4 sons.