Community Forums

Geoffpruett · 07-01-2018, 09:08 AM

Lesson learned: I used the 50 ft. Yellow garden variety extension cord plugged into our 15 amp residential power. Hot days, 95 degrees- ac on continuously. After two days ac died. Problem was burned out “J box”, control box,
Lesson learned: use correct size extension, and plug in to higher amp outlet if possible.
Coleman Mach AC, 2014 manufacture.

IggyTech · 07-01-2018, 10:44 AM

I'm a Journey Leve3l Electrician with 45 years of experience.

You are correct using a long extension cord isn't good because you will get low voltage at the end. Voltage may be 90 to 100 volts depending upon the current draw.

With that said and what the picture shows me was that you had a loose connection at that terminal and with the low voltage and higher amps it started to arch and burn it self up.

If the connection was good it would not have happened.

Anyway were you able to redo the connection on the board or did you fry something else?

Geoffpruett · 07-01-2018, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IggyTech

I'm a Journey Leve3l Electrician with 45 years of experience.

You are correct using a long extension cord isn't good because you will get low voltage at the end. Voltage may be 90 to 100 volts depending upon the current draw.

With that said and what the picture shows me was that you had a loose connection at that terminal and with the low voltage and higher amps it started to arch and burn it self up.

If the connection was good it would not have happened.

Anyway were you able to redo the connection on the board or did you fry something else?

Replaced j box and all is good. Makes sense: the extension may not have been plugged in firmly enough. Is it safe to use the large cable attached to rv, and plug it into the 30 amp/ 15 amp adapter and use the household current (with a good connection)?

IggyTech · 07-01-2018, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffpruett

Replaced j box and all is good. Makes sense: the extension may not have been plugged in firmly enough. Is it safe to use the large cable attached to rv, and plug it into the 30 amp/ 15 amp adapter and use the household current (with a good connection)?

Yes. That is the way I do it.
I have my 50amp plugged into a long 30amp cable them I plug it into my 30 amp receptacle I added to my panel.

The ticker the cable you will have less voltage drop.