Millions of travelers hit the road every year in RV’s and motor homes. Vacations in an RV traversing the country are popular, affordable and educational. Viewing new places as you drive along the highways stopping in various towns, big and small helps travelers really understand the culture of the United States. Recreational vehicles also become home to many workers who travel from one construction site to another, following the available work. Before you set out on an RV road trip or make your life on the road, make sure you have the proper equipment. An important motor home staple item is an extension cord and set of adapters, for power when you need it.
Don’t roll up after a long day on the road, and be just an inch too short to hook up your RV or motor home. Now you might think you can use just any extension cord, or even several strung together with on the end to solve the problem. That’s a mistake with potentially serious consequences. Using an extension cord not made for RV power is a fire hazard and can damage your RV’s power equipment. This risk is not worth taking, especially when there are specialized extension cords that are designed for the specific power requirements of today’s recreational vehicles and motor homes
For a more in depth look at why a long extension cord needs to be heavy duty you need to understand some fundamentals about electricity. Though wire is highly conductive, it still presents some resistance to electricity flowing through it. And the longer an extension cord, the more resistance produced. That resistance creates heat which in turn can create fire – a hazard for you and your RV.
The solution is to buy the correct equipment. Depending on the application, an RV extension cord can be from 15 to 50 feet long. With the correct extension cord you will always be able to reach power sources and always feel safe.
Extension cords help provide electricity to your RV as well as power to any generators you may use. For long stays on the road you will want to run your microwave for quick meals, a radio for music and sports, fans for cooling down and even television. Also, if you’re traveling in the winter months or in colder locales, an RV extension cord can help power a generator for extra heat.
For people permanently living in recreational vehicles and motor homes, quality extension cords and RV adapters are a basic necessity. Electricity ensures that you can make food, stay warm and light the area around your camp. An RV extension cord rated for all types of weather and made with durability and longevity in mind is a smart option.
When you travel in an RV or motor home, you might stop at a residential area, a campground, or even an in-town parking area. Often there will be a power source to hook up to. Look for a pole or electrical box with an outlet. This is likely the power source for your RV. If you’re staying in a campground, the grounds keepers or camp hosts should have more information on the cost of the electrical hookup, and the type of extension cord and adapter needed.
Depending on where you travel and when you travel, there are certain conditions you should expect. Anticipate different hookup types at different RV campgrounds. You should have an RV specific adapter so you know you can hook in to the campground-provided power source. Specifically, the types of outlets you might encounter are 15A, 30A or 50A outlets. Expect weather to fluctuate between rain and heat. An all-weather RV extension cord should be water resistant, heat resistant and durable.
For maximum convenience consider the extra features offered by premium RV extension cords. Planned or not, many travelers find themselves pulling into a campground or rest stop after dark. Campgrounds are not always well-lit, so a motor home adapter and extension cord with a lighted end is essential for late-night power set up. Extension cords with ends that light up when current is flowing help you know that your equipment is working properly. No need to walk from your RV to your hookup over and over, the lighted end signals a working connection.
Another convenience found on premium RV extension cords is foldaway nylon handles on both male and female connectors. You will find it easier to connect and disconnect your RV extension cord or adapter with far less effort and stress.
As a final recommendation, consider personalizing your extension cord. Often campers lend equipment to other campers needing help hooking up and getting settled in. Having your name, personal slogan or other identifying legend printed down the entire length of the cord will ensure that it makes its way back to you.
A vacation or lifestyle in an RV or motor home can be rewarding and fun. Make sure you have the correct equipment so you can enjoy the sights. Milspec Direct provides RV extension cords and RV adapters that are all-weather rated, have lighted ends and patented Pro Grip™ handles.
About the Author
Milspec Direct is a wholesale extension cord provider of Pro Glo lighted end extension cords, adapters and custom printed extension cord products.
power generator how to connect power generator to travel trailer batteries with auto ON capabilities?
I have a travel trailer that has two 12v (car size) batteries. I am buying a power generator (Gas) and would like the power generator to automatically start when ever power is needed to charge the batteries, or powering say Air conditioning unit. (the Power generator does have an electrical start.
you should be able to get what you are looking for where you bought your genny as far as starting say the a/c it is a on demand switch and you will have to put a elec starter on to do this (also where you bought the genny)
Free Energy Power Generator Donald Duck magnetic electric overunity magnet motor replication06/06/09
How do I plug the output of an AC generator into a power meter?
Hi! I have a solar powered AC generator (5hp AC motor spun by a stirling engine), and I want to put the outputted energy into the power grid. However, I don't know how to connect it so that the engine will spin the motor (producing current) rather than the motor spinning the engine (sucking current). Any (good) ideas?
Thanks in advance!
You need to talk with your power company before you attempt to connect anything. There are serious safety concerns with supplying power back to the grid and a special meter is required if you want to get paid for it in most locations. When I say serious I mean you can kill somebody besides yourself.
Travelling across The Rockies in a 24ft RV. Do we need full hookmups every night? what should we be looking for? does the RV have a generator to power should we not have a hook up in a campsite?
Trying to plan a trip!
I am assuming that you are renting the RV since you don't know whether or not it has a generator. Most likely it does not, though you can likely rent one extra. Ask the Rental Company.
However, you probably won't need one ... we are fulltime RV'ers and travel without a generator. We try to get full hookups every third night, but have gone as long as two weeks at a time without full hookups.
You can cook, use hot water heater, and refrigerator all with propane. Please remember to turn OFF the propane tanks while on the road though, for safety. RV's also have a battery for lights, and the water pump runs off of it as well, for when you are using water from your tank.
As mentioned, the Provincial Parks are nice, but don't have hookups. I would certainly stay in them to get the full experience!
Enjoy your trip, it will be magnificent! We are doing it ourselves in two weeks.
i need some help for those with an electrical background.
I have several componets, and i'm wondering what the power requirement would be for a generator if i took them camping with me & my nephews:
1) sony str-dg1000 receiver 2) ps3 game system 3) xbox 360 game system 4) sega dreamcast game system 5) sony bravia 23" 6) microwave oven
ideally, i would rent an r/v to use while camping, and only the tv, reciver, and one of the game systems would be on at any one time. reciver would be off when microwave is in use...(unless i get an rv with built-in microwave).
if anyone can help, please post, but allow emails to be sent in case i have additonal questions, or you need more information.
any help is appreciated.
the games themselves would probably require about 30-50 watts of energy each, the tv about 200 and the microwave about 500-700. This is about 1100 watts at greatest but remember you also have a charger for your rv, lights, (ac unit?) refrigerator and misc stuff like stereos and clocks as well as the pump for the water. 5000 watt would probably work but 10,000 would be lots better and would work better.
Rv Power Generator I my can't get my generator in my RV started, any advise?
We have a new Coachman RV, supplied with a generator. We haven't been out camping in it yet,but we have started the generator several times with no trouble. The last time we tried to start it, it wouldn't start. It almost starts, but wouldn't keep running. I know it is getting power from the battrey and I know it is getting gasoline. I don't know what else to check.
Here are other things I would check into:
1. Remove the fuel line from the generator and make sure it has a good flow rate, no constrictions or blockages limiting the flow. A slow trickle of fuel will fill the carburator over time, but the gen won't be able to keep running for long.
2. Make sure the throttle mechanism is freely moving, and have someone look at it if it isn't.
3. If the generator sat all winter with unstabilized gasoline in the carburator, it definitely formed some varnish and may be clogging internally. Try making a concentrated mixture of fresh gasoline and some "carb cleaning" additive in a jar, drain the carb bowl if possible, run a short fuel line from the jar to the generator, and crank it for a while to draw the fuel/cleaner mix into the carb. Let it sit for a while then crank some fresh fuel through it.
I bet you have an Onan, right? They're good and long-lasting, but they do require some maintenance. The silly thing is, they have no low-oil-shutdown, so keep an eye on the crankcase oil level, especially as it ages and begins to consume more. Also, put some fuel stabilizer in your final tank of gas every year before storing for the winter, and run the generator long enough to draw it into the carb. Onan also has a great product called "Onan 4C" which works to clean out the carb and engine, if you can find it... use it!
With another major hurricane battering the Gulf and Atlantic coasts come questions about electric power and restoration, generators, portable power plants, and other means of getting by. Whether it’s a hurricane, earthquake, heat wave, natural disaster, terrorism attack, or any other interruption to the electrical grid, it soon sinks in – “When will power be restored?”
While the initial days with no power may be inconvenient – or even feel a bit adventurous in a way – it doesn’t take long before power restoration begins to become a major concern. We can all survive without television for a few days, weeks, or even months, but can we handle heat and humidity with no air conditioning? Can we deal with eating canned meat for days on end because refrigeration is not an option? What about all those e-mails waiting in your inbox with no way of logging on to retrieve them? How about work? Will your employer be open for business if the power is out? What about school? Will the kids be able to go to class or must you keep them home? And even if you could go to work or take the kids to school, what about the street lights?
Power outages affect you deeply. All of these questions are legitimate concerns. However, power outages have widespread implications. Not only are you personally inconvenienced, consider how hospitals, law enforcement agencies, wastewater treatment plants, water plants, power plants, and other vital infrastructures are affected.
Most communities and utilities have plans in place for restoring power in the wake of major outages with priorities given to vital services. While you’re longing for a hot shower or lights on at night, efforts are first focused on restoring power according to pre-determined priorities. Soon enough, power will be restored.
This doesn’t mean that you are powerless when it comes to power restoration. If you’ve ever spent any time at an RV resort, then you’ll already be familiar with the convenience of generators. Gas powered generators hum away, powering the needs of families on the go. Microwave dinners, DVD movies, and air conditioning are facts of life for many campers. These comforts of home are readily available to homeowners dealing with emergency power outages.
Generators are also called “portable power plants.” While your neighbors are waiting for days on end for the power company to come out and repair the lines, you can enjoy the basic necessities with your own portable power plant.
Large organizations with well-thought-out business continuity plans incorporate portable power plants into their plans. When the lights go out, the generators go on.
The city doesn’t have to come to a complete standstill when the power goes off. In fact, when the lights go off, workers spring to action. Portable power plants and generators soon come to life and repair technicians are dispatched to repair the infrastructure. In the meantime, if you or a loved one relies on power for medical reasons, aren’t you glad that this technology is available? Hurricanes and earthquakes can knock out the lights – but not for long when you have a good emergency power restoration plan in place.
By: Mr. Mark Decherd
For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:
Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.
About the Author:
Mark Decherd’s Dryout Inc. was incorporated in 1997 with a mission to serve waterlogged customers in south Florida. We specialize in water damage, mold remediation, and flood work. As we worked to dry out Florida residences and businesses, we soon found that our efforts alone were not enough. As a result, we developed a nationwide network of affiliates. Now, customers can get service anywhere in the country!
Rv Power Generator No power at outlets with Generator on.?
1978 dodge Monaco rv. When plugged into the house power everything works. When using the generator it does not?? does it have switch i need to throw? Thanks!
HI I had a friend who was having the same problem.... he later found out there was a plug-in in eather the cord box or the generator box that the cord needed to be pluged into. Look for that.. good luck tim
Solar Backup - Solar Powered Backup Generator is Great For Your RV and Camping!
Guardian generators are one of the most well known on the market today, and can provide you with efficient, reliable service year round. Guardian generators are available to provide you with peace of mind and flexibility when there is a power outage in your area. Guardian generators are also excellent to use in severe weather, when it is vital to have information regarding what is happening with the local region's forecast.
Be Prepared for an Emergency
Responsible home ownership involves being prepared for any emergency. Keep a list of important numbers on your fridge, stock a drawer with candles, a first aid kit, and other important items... and have a generator available to provide power in case of an emergency.
Choosing the Right Guardian Generator
The power output of a Guardian generator ranges from 14 kW to 505 kW, making these generators the perfect solution to provide a backup source of power for any type of home or RV.
The 505 kW generators are used for industrial purposes, while the smaller 14 kW units can be used for smaller purposes. Your Guardian salesperson will help you find a unit that is perfect for your purposes, whether it is for powering an RV or for powering an industrial building.
When shopping for a Guardian generator, it helps to assess the power usage your family needs, and the cost of fuel. Most generators operate on diesel, propane, or gasoline... and the cost of fuel should help you determine the most affordable generator to operate in any situation.
Proper Installation and Upkeep of Guardian Generators
Installation is a breeze when you have a professional install your Guardian generators. Installation time will vary based on your existing electrical set up, but can typically be accomplished in just a couple of days even in industrial settings. If you are using a Guardian for an RV, you may even be able to drive in for installation as the need arises. Even though Guardian generators are among the best available, maintenance is the key to ensuring a long life for your generator.
Regular maintenance can be as simple as cleaning you generator to replacing some parts, such as fuel filters, that can increase overall efficiency in your Guardian generators. Your professional Guardian dealer can perform regular maintenance on all your generators, ensuring that each item that needs attention is fully cared for and working properly.
What is the Cost of Guardian Generators?
The average cost of Guardian generators will vary depending on the generator that you have chosen.
In some cases, you can spend as little as two thousand dollars for a generator that will last for many, many years to come. Each generator is priced based on the kW and the other specifications that it features. Whichever generator you choose, you will be sure of high quality, reliable back up power for your home, business or RV.
Guardian generators are definitely an excellent choice no matter what you specific needs are, and can even be purchased with a warranty. You can find information about Guardian generators and warranties from any local dealer that offers electrical and generator supplies.
