extension cord. They run a 20amp airconditioner and full electrical from an outside outlet on our mobile home. Our light bill was over 300 dollars and they constantly ran into trouble with their A/C not running up to par.. meaning barely cooling their fifth wheel, and their power shutting off all the time. We just bought this house a month ago, and fear that it is their camper trailer that is draining our lights... but also, my BIGGEST QUESTION FOR YOU TO ANSWER IS, is this a major fire hazard for their camper and ours? What can we do to remedy this hazard etc... if they want to stay indefinetly? Thanks for your expertise.
2007-09-27 16:05:55 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is not really a fire hazard. Your outdoor receptacle should be protected with a 20 amp breaker. But it is a hazard to their air conditioner. It is probably running on a lower voltage due to the cord and other loads like lights ect. So it will eventually burn out. But that is their problem.
2007-09-28 15:25:50 · answer #1 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For safety reasons have an electrician look at it.
Look closely on the extension cord and see what size wire it has in it. It will be an even number. IF it is NOT 12 or a lower number you are over loading the extension cord and will act as a resistor. IF it is 14 or higher take it off and make them go get a 20 amp rated cord.
Most air conditioners use more then 12 amps. You can melt the recepticles or chord ends if you continue to use this and possibly even start a fire.
Im sure they are using lights as well as the AC. possibly some other things that they shouldnt use with the AC running.
2007-09-28 08:29:26 · answer #2 · answered by analize2much 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the 50 amp service IF the camper is wired with a 50amp cord. It should say on the cord what amperage and voltage it is rated for or on a metal tag rivoted near the box that the cord is stored in on the camper what amperage and voltage it is rated for. If the circuit running to the receptacle that the camper is plugged into is anything less than what is specified, it will cause problems like you described. If it is being "fed" correctly, then there are problems in the camper itself..........as for the $300 electric bill......I really don't think that will change much until they leave.
2007-09-28 01:09:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If this cord is not rated for the 5th wheel electrical or is too long, it could cause problems. One is a fire. Another is that their air conditioner will burn-out due to being under powered by too light of wire in the cord and not receiving full volts. Kinda like trying to run a 110 appliance on 100 volts.
2007-09-27 23:14:14 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that orange extension cord is probably 16 or 14 gauge wire and they really need a 10 or 12 gauge wire extension cord ( 10 would be better) but the best thing would be to run a dedicated permanent hardwired line to an electric box with an out so they can plug the trailer directly into it. or even better yet have them install their own electric service with their own meter and let them pay for their own electric
2007-09-27 23:38:25 · answer #5 · answered by hermitofnorthdome 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good grief, do you know how overloaded you are? I am surprised you aren't popping the main breaker in your house.
In order to correct the problem, you have to install a dedicated 30 amp recepticle just for the 5th wheel. Better yet, move the 5th wheel to it's own lot in a campground where they have the electrical setup all ready.
2007-09-27 23:14:58 · answer #6 · answered by Bare B 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
that cord probably did not start out orange, it is probably glowing from the current heating it up. unplug and call an electrician to set it up right before everything there goes up in smoke. you might want to check the batteries in the smoke alarm before going to bed tonight
2007-09-28 00:29:24 · answer #7 · answered by frfiter 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes that's a fire hazard, you need to change that as soon as possible.if they stay you should run a dedicated 120v 50A circuit to the trailer
2007-09-27 23:12:54 · answer #8 · answered by Daniel S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋