Hey everyone - First off, if there is already a thread on this specific topic please point me in the right direction (still getting used to using the forum). I am in the process of adding a 50amp RV outlet to the side of our house to have shore power when needed. The electrical box is easily accessible (located on same wall and just above where the RV plug is going) and there's plenty of room and capacity in the panel box for the new outlet. My father is an electrician so we are in good shape in that regard... However, the part we are struggling with is finding a combination of 50amp outlet and power cord/extension cord that play nicely together.
Most cords come with some sort of handle (the three finger handle or the Powergrip on the Camco models). These bulky handles make it so we cant find a 50amp outlet that will allow for the weatherproof door on the outlet to fully close when the cord is plugged in. We have found higher quality (good connections on the wires, well built box, etc.) 50amp outlets (made by GE or Midwest Electric), but none of those come with a deep enough front plate that will allow the door to fully close when bulky handle is plugged in. We have found other 50amp outlets on Amazon that advertise the ability to fully close with the bulky handles of the cords, but the reviews on those outlets arent great at all (brands like RVGUARD) from an electrical standpoint (most common complaint is poor connections on the wires and small screws that strip out).
So I am kind of stuck in a tough spot... choose a high quality 50amp outlet, but not be able to close the front plate fully due to the bulky handle... OR... choose a lower quality 50amp outlet but have the ability to close the front plate fully. Does anyone have any suggestions on RV outlets that have worked well for you? Any specific brands/models that would solve my problem with fitting the bulky cord handle?
It may be plenty weatherproof with the door propped on the cord handle and not closed fully, but I would certainly like to close the door the whole way (especially with how much it rains here in OR). I have even considered cutting the "power handle" off my Camco cord so it would fit properly, but then it would be much harder getting the plug in and out. I am also trying to avoid buying a little dogbone/adapter that would go from my 50amp cord to a smaller cord head that would fit in the outlet box, as then I would have another connection outside to worry about in the weather. Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and happy holidays!
Most cords come with some sort of handle (the three finger handle or the Powergrip on the Camco models). These bulky handles make it so we cant find a 50amp outlet that will allow for the weatherproof door on the outlet to fully close when the cord is plugged in. We have found higher quality (good connections on the wires, well built box, etc.) 50amp outlets (made by GE or Midwest Electric), but none of those come with a deep enough front plate that will allow the door to fully close when bulky handle is plugged in. We have found other 50amp outlets on Amazon that advertise the ability to fully close with the bulky handles of the cords, but the reviews on those outlets arent great at all (brands like RVGUARD) from an electrical standpoint (most common complaint is poor connections on the wires and small screws that strip out).
So I am kind of stuck in a tough spot... choose a high quality 50amp outlet, but not be able to close the front plate fully due to the bulky handle... OR... choose a lower quality 50amp outlet but have the ability to close the front plate fully. Does anyone have any suggestions on RV outlets that have worked well for you? Any specific brands/models that would solve my problem with fitting the bulky cord handle?
It may be plenty weatherproof with the door propped on the cord handle and not closed fully, but I would certainly like to close the door the whole way (especially with how much it rains here in OR). I have even considered cutting the "power handle" off my Camco cord so it would fit properly, but then it would be much harder getting the plug in and out. I am also trying to avoid buying a little dogbone/adapter that would go from my 50amp cord to a smaller cord head that would fit in the outlet box, as then I would have another connection outside to worry about in the weather. Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and happy holidays!
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