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Old 04-12-2016, 07:47 PM   #1
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Power Draw

Wondering if a single 15 amp 110 volt cord is adequate to maintain fridge and battery while parking trailer in driveway between trips?

Hate having to run the big 50 amp to my shop just to keep fridge cold.

Any thoughts?
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Old 04-12-2016, 07:53 PM   #2
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That's all I use at home. Keeps the battery charged and runs the fridge and some lights. Works fine.
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Old 04-12-2016, 08:42 PM   #3
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Good to hear, will save some headache dragging that lunker of a cable around.
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Old 04-12-2016, 08:51 PM   #4
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15 amp cord will work fine, but do get a heavy duty one.

A year or so ago I had to buy a power cord for my Voltage. Seems like someone forgot to load it before we set off. I bought a 25' 30 amp cord and now unless I need 50 amps I use the 30 amp. Fact is I use the 30 amp more than the 50. Best electrical item ever that I was forced to buy.
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Old 04-12-2016, 10:24 PM   #5
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15 amp cord will work fine, but do get a heavy duty one.
Good point. You need a 14 gauge cord for a 15 amp breaker, or bigger, not smaller. The old #16 extension cords were a fire waiting to happen on a 15 amp circuit. A lot of the space heater fires in winter are from folks using the old light gauge cords with them.
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Old 04-12-2016, 11:26 PM   #6
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I use a 15 amp all the time. Get a 12 awg cord in whatever length will work best for you. I get mine for free from work, the guys nick an outer cover and they have to remove it from the job site. Sometimes we are allowed to cut an end of and use shrink tubing to repair them, sometimes not.

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Old 04-13-2016, 01:49 AM   #7
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I don't own anything smaller than a 12ga. I learned that lesson when I burnt up a table saw with a too small extension.
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Old 04-16-2016, 02:05 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by bwwilliams View Post
Wondering if a single 15 amp 110 volt cord is adequate to maintain fridge and battery while parking trailer in driveway between trips?

Hate having to run the big 50 amp to my shop just to keep fridge cold.

Any thoughts?
I agree with the above comments but want to add: Be careful about leaving the battery charging. I installed a batt disconnect switch because mine will overcharge the battery.
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Old 04-17-2016, 02:46 PM   #9
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yes. and I would not worry about overcharging your battery.
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Old 04-17-2016, 03:15 PM   #10
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yes. and I would not worry about overcharging your battery.
Maybe his converter is better than mine but if you he smells rotten eggs and finds electrolyte boiled out of his battery he will know his converter is similar to mine.
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Old 04-17-2016, 03:24 PM   #11
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Most all converters for the last twenty years or so have several 'stages', with the last stage being a 'maintenance or trickle charge' stage so you may have a defective converter. A shorted battery cell can also cause your symptoms. In this case, the converter thinks the battery is very weak so it kicks into high gear to charge it so the other cells begin to boil over.
I have full hookups at my house and have been leaving my campers plugged in continuously for over 20 years with no problems. I simply check the water every month and will get between 5 and 7 years out of my batteries.
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Old 04-18-2016, 12:19 AM   #12
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Maybe his converter is better than mine but if you he smells rotten eggs and finds electrolyte boiled out of his battery he will know his converter is similar to mine.
What brand and model of converter do you have? It may have crapped out on you.

Quote:
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Most all converters for the last twenty years or so have several 'stages', with the last stage being a 'maintenance or trickle charge' stage so you may have a defective converter. A shorted battery cell can also cause your symptoms. In this case, the converter thinks the battery is very weak so it kicks into high gear to charge it so the other cells begin to boil over.
I have full hookups at my house and have been leaving my campers plugged in continuously for over 20 years with no problems. I simply check the water every month and will get between 5 and 7 years out of my batteries.
Got news for you... Airstream was still using a two stage boil the battery dry converter up until about 2 years ago! It blew my mind that they would continue to use such a crappy unit on a trailer that sells for anywhere from $45k to $130K+ Just goes to show you how out many corners they are willing to cut to make a buck.

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Old 04-18-2016, 12:22 AM   #13
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I wouldn't doubt it. I had an 89 Airstream and quickly discovered that the Airstream quality is a myth. They are certainly not worth the money people give for them. No more for me.


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Originally Posted by wahoonc View Post
What brand and model of converter do you have? It may have crapped out on you.



Got news for you... Airstream was still using a two stage boil the battery dry converter up until about 2 years ago! It blew my mind that they would continue to use such a crappy unit on a trailer that sells for anywhere from $45k to $130K+ Just goes to show you how out many corners they are willing to cut to make a buck.

Aaron
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Old 04-18-2016, 12:51 AM   #14
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I wouldn't doubt it. I had an 89 Airstream and quickly discovered that the Airstream quality is a myth. They are certainly not worth the money people give for them. No more for me.
I must be hardheaded... I have had 3 of them. They have their advantages, and disadvantages. I do think they are overpriced for what they are. I still love the cachet and distinctiveness of them. Also there aren't too many 40+ year old units on the road that can be torn completely down, rebuilt and put back on the road and still look good. I may buy another one in the future. (after I retire and actually have time to work on it)

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