Community Forums

abarkl · 01-02-2015, 09:41 AM

I need an additional six feet of 50 amp extension cord to plug my RV in at the house. Can I temporarily plug my 50 amp coach into a 30 amp extension cord with a pigtail and then pigtail again to the 50 amp house circuit?

The house circuit was wired correctly as I have used it before for my previous RV which was shorter in length, but upon initial connection with the above configuration, the Surge Guard controller light "Caution when illuminated" is on.

Perhaps there's a wiring problem with the 30 amp extension cord? I have never really had a need to use it until now. It was included with my old RV.

Skip426 · 01-02-2015, 09:46 AM

The only issue is the amount of power you plan to use in the RV. The 30 amp cable will be overloaded if you start turning a lot of things on.
For minimum use, battery charging & furnace you'll be fine. If you try to run two air conditioners , you'll have trouble.
Depending on the surge guard the " caution when illuminated " warning may be due to the guard seeing the exact same volts on both legs, instead of a slight difference in supply volts.
Do you have the guard manual?

abarkl · 01-02-2015, 09:51 AM

Thanks. i only plan to use it as a 'winter time maintenance circuit'.
I understand the limited current draw using the 30 amp extension cord and pigtail.
I'm concerned about the Surge Guard "Caution when illuminated" light that's on. Perhaps I should call them.

Skip426 · 01-02-2015, 10:03 AM

Depending on the guard, seeing the same volts ; that happens through the adaptors ; could be the cause. If the fault description, isn't in your users manual , a call is in order.

Steve Ownby · 01-02-2015, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abarkl

Thanks. i only plan to use it as a 'winter time maintenance circuit'.
I understand the limited current draw using the 30 amp extension cord and pigtail.
I'm concerned about the Surge Guard "Caution when illuminated" light that's on. Perhaps I should call them.

It may just be a warning because both sides of the 120 circuit are on the same phase and its assuming 30 amp. If it were me, I would make up my own 10-12 foot extension cord with 6/3 plus ground wire with the standard 50 amp male and female on the ends.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

abarkl · 01-02-2015, 10:04 AM

TRC's tech support says that as long as there's AC service inside the coach it's not a problem that the light is illuminated. The Surge Guard will not allow service if there's a wiring problem.
So the "caution when illuminated" light could possibly be the 25' of 50 amp cord and another 25' of 30 amp cord or a problem with one of the pigtails.

stik · 01-02-2015, 10:05 AM

Go to Camping World in Mesa or Avondale and get a 50 amp extension cord (they have a couple different lengths), problem solved! . . . assuming your Phoenix location is still correct.

abarkl · 01-02-2015, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

It may just be a warning because both sides of the 120 circuit are on the same phase and its assuming 30 amp. If it were me, I would make up my own 10-12 foot extension cord with 6/3 plus ground wire with the standard 50 amp male and female on the ends.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Thanks everyone for your timely responses. I will order and make the six foot 50 amp extension that I need.

vsheetz · 01-02-2015, 10:31 AM

If you are only plugging in for battery maintenance and not running air conditioning or electric heat, a regular extension cord with adapter will be enough. I do this rather than lug out the heavy power cord.

wa8yxm · 01-02-2015, 05:28 PM

This I would not do for two reasons
ONE: 30 amp cords have only 3 wires, 50 amp have 4, thus you either drop a leg or you loose half your power handling ability or you drop the safety ground (Dropping safety features is a good way to be late for your own funeral sooner than you expect.. I plan on being as late as possible for mine).

Second: If you wire it so you can draw full power,, and do so,, Good chance of overheating that 30 amp fuseable link and .. Well, remember FUSE and FUZE are prounced the same, one breaks circuits, the other blows things up.

Ray,IN · 01-02-2015, 08:55 PM

The reason for the "caution" light may be , the surge guard detects an anomaly in the different wiring, which can be a loose adapter fit on one(most likely 30A cord) of the female ends. (insufficient ground or neutral for example)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

This I would not do for two reasons
ONE: 30 amp cords have only 3 wires, 50 amp have 4, thus you either drop a leg or you loose half your power handling ability or you drop the safety ground (Dropping safety features is a good way to be late for your own funeral sooner than you expect.. I plan on being as late as possible for mine).

Second: If you wire it so you can draw full power,, and do so,, Good chance of overheating that 30 amp fuseable link and .. Well, remember FUSE and FUZE are pronounced the same, one breaks circuits, the other blows things up.

Pretty good analogy.

And accurate.