Length of Electrical Hookup - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Length of Electrical Hookup

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Waggin Tails wrote:
Does anyone have a cable stretcher?
Seriously, my power cable is about 50 feet short of an electrical box located in my back yard. Trailer is parked in front of the house. I can either purchase a couple of 30 feet extension cables or install a 50 amp recepticle about 60 feet away from electrical panel. The extra lenght here is due to conduit running along the side of the house
My concern is size of wiring leading to 50 amp recepticle. 4AWG is difficult to get, 6AWG is readily available.
Of course I can hire an electrician and solve the problem.

Having one 30 ft extension might come in handy at another time. Two? I don't thiink I would go that route. Besides, having an exposed connection that you would have to protect in case of heavy rain might not be best. I think I might go with the hire an electrician. I betcha he can get the correct size, and besides that, he would do all the sweating. It is supposed to crack 100 deg here today, gotta be hot in Corpus.

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think I'd hire the electrician and have him put in a power pedestal close to the RV like you'd have in a campground. Depends on how far you are from your main panel box as far as line loss is concerned. You may need a subpanel box to reduce the voltage loss because of the length of the circuit.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

A lot of people wire in two 30AMP circuits and use a "cheater box" to combine them into a 50AMP plug, where you can get away with more reasonable wire gauges. In most cases only having 30AMPs per leg will be OK, in our case we can't run the electric hot water heater, front air and washer/dryer at the same time and have to limit ourselves to one large kitchen appliance when the rear air is running. Camping World and other places have the cheater boxes. Having two 30AMP plugs lets you share with friends.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you can get the proper sized wiring to the location, keep in mind that 2-30 amp services = 60 amps available whereas 1-50 amp service = 100 amp available.

-- Edited by Bill Adams on Sunday 8th of May 2011 09:27:36 AM

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll call electrician Monday and see what he says. Unless he want an arm and leg, I'll let him sweat the details. I am not keen on the idea of more than one extension.
Ken temperature reached mid 90's in Corpus today. With the afternoon sun hitting the RV, it warmed up pretty quick in there today. With all the sun we've had, I should solar panel the roof and add extra storage batteries. Time to read Jack Mayer's discussion on this topic.
Bill - Thanks, I understood that.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jerry, #6 wire in conduit will get you a 70' run of wire at a 2.58% voltage drop. (50 amps)

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Jack. The conduit run will be less than 70 feet. I'll see what the electrician's bid is and then determine if it is reasonable.