Extension cord question

[LD1]

Resedintial refers usually top out bout 7amps @120v

150' of 14ga wire should still keep you around 115v if the supply is 120. Shouldn't be an issue at all.

Let us know what that code is

 

[Pixguy]

This is what was shown on all 3 cords I had used.

No errors

 

[Pixguy]

First arriving today with fridge breaker off.
10' cord gfci tripped.
Reset it and it seems fine for 10 mi but cord is warm

Tried new 100' 14 (not 12 like I thought) Starts up no errors but after approx. 3 minutes the surge protector kicks off and comes back on after a minute. Repeats many times.

Tried 100' orange extension 16 cord and it repeats what the new cord did. I even unwound new cord at this point but same results when tried it.

Put 10' cord on, let it run. Noticed cord was warm but ran. Guy pulls in and is unhooking his tow vehicle so I chatted with him for 10 minutes. Came back and power is gone and gfi did not trip but the breaker in locked panel.

Started up coach (diesel) and ran til batteries came up so I can see panel. I see nothing that was running and drawing power. Here's diagnostic screen

 

[ponytug]

That your cord is warm worries me a bit. Is it possbile something else is on, adding to your load? Battery charger(s), freeze protection heaters, a pump left on, water heater? A typical RV fridge draws on the order of 600W or so starting up, and then closer to 200 (Dometic).

FWIW, a true 14ga copper extension cord with 1000W load on it will drop the voltage about 3.5%, about 4 Volts. You probably want to be using a true 12ga copper extension cord, and yes, not in a coil.

Where is your GFCI? Is it an outlet, or is it in your cord? GFCIs do go bad.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Pixguy]

That your cord is warm worries me a bit. Is it possbile something else is on, adding to your load? Battery charger(s), freeze protection heaters, a pump left on, water heater? A typical RV fridge draws on the order of 600W or so starting up, and then closer to 200 (Dometic).

FWIW, a true 14ga copper extension cord with 1000W load on it will drop the voltage about 3.5%, about 4 Volts. You probably want to be using a true 12ga copper extension cord, and yes, not in a coil.

Where is your GFCI? Is it an outlet, or is it in your cord? GFCIs do go bad.

All the best,

Peter

I honestly have looked at everything that could be left on and cannot see anything and the breaker for the refer is off. It is a bit frustrating.

The GFCI is the typical wall outlet.

I did videos of the ems display with each wire but we can't load videos without using a third party host like YT which I won't do. But ask away. The loads seem to range from 0 to 6amps on line 1 or 2.

 

[ponytug]

When you say line 1 or line 2, is it possible that the way you are feeding the power to your RV pulls line 1 and 2 off the same 120V extension cord, in which case you are pulling up to 12 amps on the cord?

I would start by getting a heavier duty extension cord. My RV cords are 10ga just to minimize the power losses. I wouldn't get one longer than you need. (25'/50').

All the best,

Peter

 

[LittleBill21]

if the cord is warm. your pulling serious curent. when the PD is killing power, it should be throwing a code?

if all 3 cords are doing it, then you have a issue. either you have something on, or your shorting out somewhere.

you can get one of these. hook it in via a 15 adapter, and see what your truly pulling, but based on that fancy panel, it appears nothing is really running, which makes me think you might have a short somewhere

https://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Ele...e60fbba17c01e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

do you have a meter? unplug the rv, kill the main breaker and see if you have continuity between hot and neutral or hot and ground.

I do not agree its a cord gauge issue. I use a 100 foot 16 gauge cord without issue, and stay above 110v

 

[Pixguy]

Thanks again guys for your willingness to help.

We had no issue when we were at a campground last week plugged into 50a. I need to get batteries for my meter and will get that tomorrow

 

[ponytug]

Keep us posted. Extension cords shouldn't be warm if you aren't using anything.

All the best, Peter

 

[oosik]

I have a very HD - 25 foot - 8 gauge extension cord. I use it when I take my generator and any powered tools out on the property. I have an "el cheepo" 100 foot 16 gauge extension cord. I've used it a couple times with my worm drive Skill saw. Everything gets hot. One of these days I will discard the 100 foot cord.

Also - if I ever buy another extension cord - rubber sheathed. Plastic sheathed sucks in the cold.